A Complete Guide to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs, from Personality to Compatibility
Here's everything you need to know about the Chinese Zodiac according to Chinese astrology and Feng Shui expert Vicki Iskandar
Chinese astrology — also known as Shu Xiang — dates back more than 2,000 years.
Similar to traditional Western astrology, the Chinese zodiac has 12 zodiac signs that can determine a person's personality, compatibility, career and fortunes. However, the Chinese zodiac is represented by animals and not by constellations in the sky and is determined by the year you're born.
Since the Chinese calendar is based on the lunisolar calendar, the Lunar New Year is typically celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake kicked off on Jan. 29.
Chinese astrology and Feng Shui expert Vicki Iskandar tells PEOPLE that "each of these 60 pillars contains unique qualities and characteristics that can provide us with insights into a particular year."
Here is everything to know about Chinese astrology, according to Iskandar.
Related: The Year of the Snake Signals Radical Transformation for These 4 Chinese Zodiac Signs
How does Chinese astrology differ from Western astrology?
One of the biggest differences between Western and Chinese astrology is the calendars that each practice follows. Western astrology relies on the solar calendar, which is determined by the position of the sun while Chinese astrology relies on both the solar and lunar calendars, which are determined by the phases of the moon.
"Seasonal celebrations and festivals such as the Lunar New Year follow the lunar calendar," says Iskandar, who's also the author of The Chinese Five Elements Oracle. "The date is determined each year based on when the moon turns new in China, which falls one day after the new moon rises in the United States."
While the Lunar New Year is determined by the lunar calendar, Iskandar adds that "a new astrological year falls on Feb. 4 each year according to the solar calendar." This is what is used to calculate a person's natal chart by Chinese zodiac experts.
"For example, babies born between Feb. 4, 2024, and Feb. 3, 2025, will have the Wood Dragon as the animal sign of their birth year," says Iskandar. "Since the astrological year starts on Feb. 4 each year, those born between Jan. 1 to Feb. 3 will still have the previous year’s animal sign as their zodiac sign."
How do you find your Chinese zodiac sign?
In Chinese astrology, your sign is determined by the year you were born rather than your birthdate. A person is assigned a specific animal and element based on the specific year.
"So a person born in the year of the Rabbit [last year's sign] will always have the Rabbit as their zodiac sign," Iskandar says.
What are the Chinese zodiac animals and their characteristics?
In the Chinese zodiac, each animal can represent traits that best describe a person born under that sign. According to Chinesehighlights.com, these are traits that each animal sign is best known for:
Rat (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020): Quick-witted, versatile and kind.
Ox (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021): Strong, determined and dependable.
Tiger (1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022): Brave, competitive and unpredictable.
Rabbit (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023): Quiet, elegant and responsible.
Dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012): Confident and intelligent.
Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025): Egnimatic and wise.
Horse (1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014): Active, animated and energetic.
Goat (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015): Calm and sympathetic.
Monkey (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016): Sharp and curious.
Rooster (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017): Hardworking and smart.
Dog (1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018): Lovely and honest.
Pig (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019): Compassionate and generous.
What are the Chinese zodiac elements and their characteristics?
Chinese astrology follows the Five Chinese Element theory, which consists of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each person is assigned an element that is typically determined based on their animal sign, so if your Chinese zodiac sign is the Rat, then your element is Water.
Each year is also assigned a specific element based on the last number of your birth year. So for example, the element associated with 2025 is Wood, since the year ends in the number 5.
Like your animal, each element also represents specific characteristics of a person. According to Iskandar, the characteristics for the elements are as follows:
Wood: Represents new beginnings, growth, vision, community spirit and creativity; the element of spring.
Fire: Represents light, joy, hope, passion and positivity; the element of summer, when light is at its brightest.
Earth: Represents stability, resilience, stillness, nurture and calm. It is the element in between seasons.
Metal: Represents clarity, focus, self-reflection, grief and letting go; the element of fall.
Water: Represents endings, retreat, adaptability, intuition and fear; the element of winter.
Which Chinese zodiac signs are the most compatible?
In Chinese astrology, compatibility looks into which animal signs are considered the "secret friends, allies" and the signs are least compatible with their "opposing" signs.
According to astrologer Lisa Stardust, the signs most compatible with each other are as follows.
Snake: As deep feelers and thinkers, Stardust says that the Ox is most compatible with the snake because they are "mature enough to handle their emotions" and the Ox "easily proves its loyalty to the Snake by always being there in times of need."
Horse: The Horse and Tiger's "dreams are built on mutual respect with a desire to grow and evolve together." making them the most compatible.
Goat: The Goat and Rabbit "love of peace and art brings them together." Stardust adds that "they care for each other in a spiritual way that deepens over time, allowing them to achieve pure and true intimacy."
Monkey: The Monkey and Rabbit are also compatible and "can be great friends who seek excitement on a whim."
Rooster: The Rooster and Ox are compatible because they're both "focused on success and will help the other advance in all areas of life."
Dog: The Dog and Rabbit "can temper the dog’s authority" because Rabbits "like someone to take charge of situations so that they can just be without any responsibilities.
Pig: Like the Pig, Goats "are docile creatures who like to be on amicable terms with others" and also "hate conflict and like to be in safe and secure relationships."
Rat: "The dragon’s energy adds vigor to the rat, who can get caught up in a routine," Stardust says. "Together they can be a power couple because they lend passion to each other that spices up their mundane lives."
Ox: The Rooster and Ox "are both hard workers who appreciate the extra attention they give to details, their careers, and relationships."
Tiger: "The Pig can be a calming presence for the aggressive Tiger," Stardust says. "The Tiger needs someone to soothe their pain and encourage them to succeed at all times."
Rabbit: The Rabbit and Goat are compatible because "The Goat doesn't make a big scene and does what it’s tołd" while Rabbits "are super relaxed and fun."
Dragon: Just like The Dragon, the Monkey also "share a love of life and are curious about adventure."
Which Chinese zodiac signs are the least compatible?
According to Stardust, these are the least compatible Chinese zodiac signs:
Snake and Pig: The Snake and Pig "frustrate one another since "one is sluggish and emotional, while the other is intentional and full of movement."
Horse and Rat: The Horse and Rat have to be "patient with each other, which might be hard since the horse likes to forge its path, while the rat likes to honor the regiment they know and follow."
Goat and Tiger: When arguments arise between the Goat and Tiger, the Goat "wants to run away from the intensity the Tiger brings to the relationship."
Monkey and Pig: The Monkey may find it hard to relate to the Pig because Monkeys are "always active and thinking" while the "indulgent pig doesn't ponder the mysteries of life on the regular."
Roosters and Rat: The Rooster and Rat don't trust each other because they think the Rat "is a potter and schemer" while the Rat thinks the Rooster "is too pompous and stands on ceremony."
Dogs and Dragons: The Dog and Dragon may clash because the Dragon is "a unique being who marches to the beat of its own drum" and "the dog is super controlling."
Ox and Dog: "The Dog likes to be free to do whatever they choose," Stardust says. "On the other hand, the Ox likes rigidity and plans" and "they can argue due to the ox’s domineering personality."
Tiger and Snake: "The snake finds the tiger to be too cunning and sly" Stardust explains. "It's hard for the Tiger to understand the motivations of the Snake."
Rabbit and Rooster: These signs may clash because "The rooster demands too much attention from the Rabbit," which "makes it hard for them to have a chill and drama-free relationship."
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