Happy Chinese New Year! How to find your Chinese Zodiac sign — and what it says about you

As the Lunar New Year dawns on February 17, 2026 (ET), the Chinese zodiac turns its wheel to the Year of the Horse. Unlike Western astrology, which changes signs monthly, the Chinese zodiac rotates annually through a 12-animal cycle. Below: a brief guide to how the cycle works, what several signs traditionally represent, and what to do if your birthday falls near the Lunar New Year.

How the Chinese zodiac and the Lunar New Year work

The Chinese zodiac assigns a single animal to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. The cycle’s order grew from an old legend of animals gathering to bid farewell to a spiritual teacher, and it begins with the Rat and ends with the Boar. Because the Lunar New Year follows a lunisolar calendar, its start date shifts each year but always falls between January 21 and February 20 (ET). The holiday is set by the second new moon after the winter solstice rather than the Gregorian calendar.

This shifting date matters for people born in January or February: their western birth year and zodiac year can differ. If your birthday fell before the Lunar New Year in the year you were born, your Chinese zodiac sign will fall to the previous animal in the cycle. For example, babies born before February 10, 2024 (ET) are Rabbits, not Dragons. When in doubt, check whether your birthday came before or after the Lunar New Year for your birth year.

Find your sign — the animals, sample birth years and what a few signs mean

The 12-animal sequence is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Monkey, Sheep (Goat), Rooster, Dog, Boar (Pig). Below are sample birth years and short personality notes where available. Keep in mind the full cycle repeats every 12 years, so add or subtract 12 to match other cohorts.

• Rat — sample birth years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020. Known for charm, creativity and curiosity; Rats are often resourceful, direct and generous with close friends.
• Ox — sample birth years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021. Symbolizes steadiness and hard work; Oxen are patient, ritual-minded and reliable in chaos.
• Tiger — sample birth years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022. Tigers are seen as bold, unpredictable and fiercely protective—often drawn to adventure and action.
• Rabbit — sample birth years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023. Associated with grace and calm; Rabbits prefer tranquility, thoughtful counsel and avoiding drama.
• Dragon — part of the cycle but sample birth years are not listed here. Dragons are traditionally powerful and charismatic in folklore; check your Lunar-year alignment to confirm.
• Snake — sample birth years include 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025. Snakes are often described as mysterious, resilient and passionate, with a reputation for cleverness.
• Horse — 2026 is the Year of the Horse (the last Horse year was 2014). The Horse symbolizes freedom, vitality and ambition, and the year is seen as one that may open new opportunities.
• Monkey — sample birth years: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028. Monkeys are playful, sociable and persuasive—mischievous but often charming company.
• Sheep (Goat) — part of the cycle; sample birth years not listed here. Traditionally associated with gentleness and creativity.
• Rooster — sample birth years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029. Roosters are diligent, earnest and punctual—often hardworking and direct.
• Dog — part of the cycle; sample birth years not listed here. Dogs are typically linked with loyalty and trustworthiness in tradition.
• Boar (Pig) — sample birth years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031. Pigs are seen as kind, sociable and lucky—generous friends with strong social ties.

Quick tips

• If you were born in January or February, verify whether your birthday fell before or after the Lunar New Year for your birth year; that determines your sign.
• Remember the cycle repeats every 12 years. If you see a birth year in a list, add or subtract 12 to find other potential matches.
• Personality sketches tied to each animal are cultural traditions and broad generalizations more than precise personality tests—take them as color and conversation starters.

As the calendar flips to the Year of the Horse on February 17, 2026 (ET), many communities will mark the change with celebrations, wishes for fresh starts and the familiar custom of reflecting on the animal that shapes the year ahead.