The Chinese Zodiac Signs and Their Meanings
Although the Western Astrology zodiac signs have had major mainstream popularity, astrology exists in other cultures as well. Chinese astrology and its zodiac signs is among the oldest ones. Its use predates Western Astrology and their signs differ as well.
Western zodiac signs and the associated sacred message depend on a person’s day of birth and vary from one month to the other. The Chinese astrology chart, on the other hand, is interpreted based on a person’s birth year and varies from one year to the other following a 12-year cycle.
Each year in the 12 year cycle is named after an animal. The personality traits of an individual born that year and what to expect for the year are defined based on the characteristics of the animal associated with their birth year.
Other factors like which of the 5 elements is associated with the birth year comes to play as well. Highlighted below is an overview of the Chinese zodiac signs and their personality traits.
The Year of the Tiger
(1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)
The tiger is a fiery fighter due to its bravery and confidence, but this also makes them prone to being rebellious and arrogant. The tiger is highly revered and respected which makes them great leaders. Although ever-ready for action, the tiger is slow to make decisions. They are open to adventure and are always on the lookout for something interesting.
The Year of the Rabbit
(1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)
Like the gentle rabbit people born in this year are gentle, kind, and friendly. They’ll rather live a tranquil life rather than get into drama. Because of the peace and tranquility, there’s a tendency to come off as timid and detached to others.
The Year of the Dragon
(1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)
The mythical creature is full of energy and people born under this sign tend to enjoy living like this as well. They are always ablaze with passion and constantly busy. Dragons are always in search of meaning and purpose in life. There’s always a goal to reach or a course to fight for. On the flip side, they can easily become perfectionistic and egocentric given their nature.
The Year of the Snake
(1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)
Like the clever and calculating snake, people born under this sign are a bit of a mystery. Others may perceive them as aloof or detached. But they are highly intuitive individuals who spend a lot of time analyzing situations. They love the fine things of life but may easily get jealous if things aren’t going their way.
The Year of the Horse
(1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)
People born in any of these years are perpetually optimistic and enthusiastic. They have a lot of energy (both physically and mentally) and enjoy being independent. But they’re also prone to a hot temper and are quite talkative. They handle pressure with relative ease thanks to their energetic nature.
The Year of the Sheep
(1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)
The year of the sheep is also sometimes referred to as the year of the goat. People born under this sign are characterized by being committed to others and being empathic. They are easygoing and may even be considered shy or withdrawn. They are also creative hence the tendency to be found in the arts or fashion world. However, they tend to be impulsive lazy, and may be prone to tardiness.
The Year of the Monkey
(1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028)
The sign of the monkey represents intelligence and creativity. People born in this year love a good challenge and are keen on solving intricate problems. They are also quite resourceful and ambitious. However, they can be secretive and unpredictable.
The Year of the Rooster
(1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029)
People who were born under this sign are often misunderstood. Many would consider them overconfident and brash but this is hardly the case. They are naturally charismatic, adventurous, and charitable. But there’s an innate tendency to be boastful and self-involved.
The Year of the Dog
(1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030)
People born under this sign are straightforward and intelligent. You can expect a deep sense of loyalty and passion from them. People born during the year of the dog are also sociable and can connect with people easily.
The Year of the Pig
(1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2040)
The pig is symbolic of honesty and simplicity. They’ll go the extra mile with everything and are prone to extremes. Having such a big personality, the pig finds it challenging to say no to a request and this can be their undoing.
The Year of the Rat
(1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)
This is the first year in the Chinese Zodiac calendar. The Rat’s main character traits include creativity and charm. People born in this year are also quite inquisitive. They tend to ask a lot of questions and in a sincere way that makes it easier to share secrets with them. The good thing is that they’re dependable so your secrets are safe with them. They are also fun and generous, especially with close friends and family.
The Year of the Ox
(1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)
People born in this year enjoy a good fortune which is born from their hard work and determination. They are also patient and reliable but are liable to live a routine life (which they really love). An Oxen will make a perfect friend because they’re good listeners. However, they tend to be stubborn and may be materialistic.
Filed under: Zodiac
