What Are The 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs And How To Calculate?

Posted On April 26, 2021 / Written by yelang

 Besides their love for the color red, the other thing that the Chinese are known for a little too well is the fact that they are very much into zodiac signs, and they take this aspect of their lives rather seriously. But do you know what different Chinese zodiac signs, specifically their zodiac years mean? Well, this article looks at everything you need to know about the Chinese zodiac years, signs, elements, and animals, as well as their orders.

So, let’s get started!

First things first,

The Basics of Chinese Zodiac

Chinese zodiac, known as sheng xiao in Chinese (loosely translates to ‘born resembling’), can be defined as the repeating cycle which happens every 12 years, where each year is represented by a specific animal and, by extension, the animal’s reputable attributes.

The Chinese zodiac signs are based on the repetitive 12-animal signs cycle, which is divided on an annual basis. These signs are said to date back to a myth associated with the Jade Emperor or the Supreme Immortal. It’s believed that this emperor, when coming up with the Chinese calendar, would have all the creatures known on earth summoned, and these creatures would then take part in a race. Out of these creatures, the top 12 animals to cross the finish line first would be awarded signs and placed in an order that was specific to the Chinese Zodiac.

What Are The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals In Order?

There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs associated with animals. The order of the zodiac animals is as follows – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Each of these Zodiac animal signs is said to come around after every 12 years, with each year associated with a specific zodiac animal.

12 Animals Of The Chinese Zodiac List

So, what do these animals mean? Or rather, which are their personalities? And what is the relationship between the zodiac signs and animals and being lucky or unlucky in life?

First, let’s take a look at the bit that has to do with luck.

According to a popular folk Chinese saying, 9 out of 10 goats aren’t enough – in Chinese, this is十羊九不全 and it translates directly to 10 Goats, 9 Incomplete. The meaning derived from this phrase is that most people who are born during the year of the goat often end up being unlucky in life. This belief/ saying is also the reason why most Chinese people believe that persons that are born in the Goat Year often end up not as leaders but as followers. Of course, this pegs more on the superstitious side of things and rather an outdated belief, but it would appear that these beliefs still have an impact on Chinese societies today.

On the contrary, the animal zodiac sign that is highly coveted in Chinese culture is that of the Dragon. And the Chinese people actually plan to have the births of their kids coincide with the years of the Dragon. As a result, throughout Chinese Cultures, the most popular animal zodiac signs include the Dragon. This is followed by the Rat, Snake, Tiger, or Pig.

But if you think about it rationally, you will find that it’s rather hard for you to identify either the luckiest or the unluckiest zodiac signs, especially because the zodiac signs have their advantages as well as disadvantages, and with combinations of zodiac signs said to bring about variations in relational dynamics, it makes sense that the Chinese people are rather obsessed with the animal zodiac signs.

Below, we’ll look at different animal personalities, along with the horoscopes for 2021. Who knows, this might be your best yet!

Chinese Zodiac Rat

The rat’s personality traits can be summarized as resourceful, quick-witted, kind, and versatile. The rat’s horoscope shows that 2021 is, however, the year of the Ox, but generally, the year holds great fortune for people born in the year of the rat. This is because the zodiac signs for the year of the rat and ox have a good positive relationship; the rat people can expect good fortunes and for the year to run smoothly.

The lucky colors for people born in the year of the rat include green, blue, and gold, and the lucky colors are 2 and 3, as well as all other numbers that have these digits in them, so, 32 or 23.

Chinese Zodiac Ox

2021 is the year of the Ox. This zodiac sign is characterized by the following traits of the Ox – diligence, strength, determination, and being dependent. The lucky numbers for people born in the year of the ox are yellow, green, and white, and the lucky numbers for this zodiac are 5 and 5, as well as numbers with these digits, such as 65 and 56.

Chinese Zodiac Tiger

The tiger is said to be resourceful, kind, versatile, and quick-witted. For people with the tiger zodiac sign, 2021 is a rather mixed year, but for a tiger, the key to success over tumultuous situations is able to condition oneself and relax. Unfortunately, financial and career performances for the Tigers are expected to be rather flat in 2021, although they’d be lucky emotionally. If you are single, there is a good chance that you will make a positive connection this year. Regarding health, the tigers are encouraged to be on alert, even with the smallest physical ailments.

The lucky colors for tigers are orange, blue, and gray, while tigers’ lucky numbers are 1,3, and 4 – including 13 and 43 or other numbers with these digits.

Chinese Zodiac Rabbit

Rabbits are kind, quiet, responsible, and elegant. And the rabbit’s zodiac sign shows that rabbits will have a stable time in 2021, and they should also expect richness and help from powerful people. The lucky colors for rabbits are pink, red, blue, and purple. Their lucky numbers include 3, 4, and 6, including variations of these numbers like 46 and 34.

Chinese Zodiac Dragon

The dragon is confident, enthusiastic, and intelligent, and 2021 is said to be a mixed year for the Dragons. So, despite there being many opportunities in your career path, even the smallest blip and carelessness would result in adversity, meaning that Dragons must be careful in their deeds and words, as well as their interpersonal situations. Dragons should watch their health to avoid adverse effects.

The lucky colors for Dragons include grayish-white, silver, and gold, and their lucky numbers are 1, 6, and 7.

Chinese Zodiac Snake

The snake is intelligent, enigmatic, and wise. With 2021 being the year of the Ox, the Snake people should also expect this to be a good year for them, thanks to the calmness and intelligence of the Snake people. The lucky colors for the Snake people include yellow, red, and black, and their lucky numbers include 2, 8, and 9.

Chinese Zodiac Horse

The Horses (animated, energetic, and active) are, unfortunately, going to have a troubled year in 2021, but with some wise moves, the Horse people should expect good career performance. The Horse people may not have the best health in 2021, and they may also have terrible luck in terms of love and relationships. The lucky colors for the Horse people are yellow and green, and their lucky numbers 2/3/7.

Chinese Zodiac Goat

Goats are calm, sympathetic, and gentle, and the Goat People are required to be extra vigilant, especially because their fortunes in their careers and finances aren’t expected to be the most favorable. The Goat people face many difficulties in life, and they are largely mild-mannered but may still find themselves in constant conflict with their friends. The Goat People’s lucky colors include purple, red, and brown, and their lucky numbers are 2 and 7 or numbers with 2 and 7 in them, for example, 27 or 72.

Chinese Zodiac Monkey

Monkeys are curious, smart, and sharp. And in 2021, monkeys can expect a great fortune. Lucky numbers for monkeys are 4 and 9, while their lucky colors are blue, white, and gold.

Chinese Zodiac Rooster

Courageous, Hardworking, and Observant, the overall fortune of the Roosters is expected to be very stable in 2021, and as long as the Roosters work hard, they’ll find great deals. Their lucky colors are yellow, brown, and gold, while their lucky numbers are 5,7, and8.

Chinese Zodiac Dog

Though dogs are prudent, honest, and loving, 2021holds little luck for Dog people, these people will attract criticism from others, and they will also be trapped feeling fatigue and insomnia. Their lucky colors are purple, red, and green, while their lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9.

Chinese Zodiac Pig

Pgs are generous, compassionate, and diligent, and in 2021, they should expect great opportunities in terms of career and wealth. The lucky colors for the Pig people are gold, gray, yellow, and brown, and their lucky numbers are 2, 5, and 8.

How To Know Your Chinese Zodiac Sign And Element

The 12 animal signs above, along with the five elements in the universe, are all associated with the Chinese calendar, which starts in the second new moon of the year. There also are Feng Shui elements (birth) that you should be aware of for you to determine your Chinese zodiac sign.

Generally, your birth element is determined by the last digit of your lunar or the Chinese birth year.

• Metal– for people whose birth years end in either 0 or 1.
• Water – applies to persons whose birth years end with a 2 or 3
• Wood – this is for people born in years ending in 4 or 5
• Fire – applies to people born in years that end ion 6 or 7
• Earth – this is the element for people whose birth years end in either 8 or 9.

For persons born between 1980 and 2021, here are their Chinese Zodiac animal signs.

• Rat: 2/2/84 to 2/19/85, 2/19/96 to 2/6/97, 2/7/08 to 1/25/09, 1/25/20 to 2/11/21
• Ox: 2/20/85 to 2/8/86, 2/7/97 to 1/27/98, 1/26/09 to 2/13/10
• Tiger: 2/9/86 to 1/28/87, 1/28/98 to 2/15/99, 2/14/10 to 2/2/11
• Rabbit: 1/29/87 to 2/16/88, 2/16/99 to 2/4/00, 2/3/11 to 1/22/12
• Dragon: 2/17/88 to 2/5/89, 2/5/00 to 1/23/01, 1/23/12 to 2/9/13
• Snake: 2/6/89 to 1/26/90, 1/24/01 to 2/11/02, 2/10/13 to 1/30/14
• Horse: 2/7/78 to 1/27/79, 1/27/90 to 2/14/91, 2/12/02 to 1/31/03, 1/31/14 to 2/18/15
• Goat: 1/28/79 to 2/15/80, 2/15/91 to 2/3/92, 2/1/03 to 1/21/04, 2/19/15 to 2/7/16
• Monkey: 2/16/80 to 2/4/81, 2/4/92 to 1/22/93, 1/22/04 to 2/8/05, 2/8/16 to 1/27/17
• Rooster: 2/5/81 to 1/24/82, 1/23/93 to 2/9/94, 2/9/05 to 1/28/06, 1/28/17 to 2/15/18
• Dog: 1/25/82 to 2/12/83, 2/10/94 to 1/30/95, 1/29/06 to 2/17/07, 2/16/18 to 2/4/19
• Pig: 2/13/83 to 2/1/84, 1/31/95 to 2/18/96, 2/18/07 to 2/6/08, 2/5/19 to 1/24/20

So, there you have the basics of Chinese zodiac signs.