Wondering which animal you are? We've got the answer.
By Minhae Shim Roth Published: Feb 1, 2024 Save Article
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Started thousands of years ago, the Chinese zodiac, also known as Chinese astrology, has 12 animal signs that rotate each year to form a 12-year cycle. The cycle begins with the Year of the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
People have always sought to understand themselves and those around them, and the ancient Chinese zodiac — a combination of a zodiac animal that repeats in 12-year cycles and an accompanying natural element that differs based on the last number of the year —gives you a list of personality traits and qualities. Reading the Chinese zodiac can help you figure out who might help — or hurt — your potential and happiness, as it gives recommendations for good zodiac animal matches and warns of those who may not be a fit.
The western astrological system — with the 12-star signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces — also provides horoscopes, offers personality traits and determines compatibility, but this system is entirely separate from the Chinese zodiac. One significant difference is that while both systems are based on birthdate, the Chinese zodiac is based on birth year, while Western astrology is based on birth month. Essentially, the two systems use different calendar systems with Western astrology using a solar calendar based on the position of the sun, and the Chinese zodiac using both the solar and the lunar calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon.
Designated as the Year of the Wood Dragon, 2024 is especially charged with significance. "The Year of the Dragon is considered a most auspicious year, because in the imagination of Chinese and other Asian people, the dragon, very different from Western mythological depictions of it, has been a revered and auspicious animal. It has supernatural power, able to surge into high sky and dive into deep water. Therefore, it resembles great power, solemnity, and good fortune,” says Dr. Qian Liu, an Associate Professor in Chinese Studies at the University of Warwick. “It is considered extremely desirable in Chinese culture to be born in the year of the dragon, so much so that these years often witness a huge boom in the number of babies born.”
Vicki Iskandar, a Chinese metaphysics consultant and creator of The Chinese Five Elements Oracle deck, says that while there are many versions of the origin story of these animal zodiac signs, one of the most widely circulated is the tale of the Great Race of the Twelve Animals. In the myth, the Jade Emperor held a race for the animals on his birthday — and the rank in which the animals crossed the line to the heavenly gate determined the order of the signs in the Chinese zodiac. Most notably, the Rat used its ambition and charm to win first place.
“In the race, the Rat managed to outsmart the other eleven animals with its wits by catching a ride with the Ox, who was leading the race toward the Heavenly Gate. The Rat jumped ahead of the Ox before the finish line to win the race and was appointed the first animal sign in the zodiac by the legendary Jade Emperor, the supreme ruler of Heaven in Taoism, while best friend the Ox took second place,” she explains.
The story of the race explains the tactics, strategies and temperaments of different animals that lead to the order in which they crossed the finish line: first the Rat, then the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
“The order of the lunar calendar follows the outcome of the race, where the rat is the first animal to start the sequence, and the pig is the last. After the pig, the sequence starts over again,” says an article from the University of Washington.
While the zodiac animal associated with the year is what you’ve likely heard, it is important to note that each year, based on the last number of the year, is also associated with one of the five Chinese elements:
For example, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, but more specifically, it is the Year of the Wood Dragon. The element associated with each year differs based on the last number of the year— for instance, 2024 is the Year of Wood Dragon because the number 4 is a Wood birth number. So, 2012 was the Year of the Water Dragon and 2036 will be the Year of the Fire Dragon
“The 12 animal signs have their origins in the Chinese five elements, which existed long before the animal signs came about. Each sign belongs to one of the elements,” says Iskandar. “The five elements are the foundation of not only Chinese metaphysics, which include astrology and feng shui but also Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
It is the combination of the traits of the year’s zodiac animal and element that determines the most nuanced reading of a person’s personality, compatibilities, and life path. While many aspects of Lunar New Year are about eschewing bad luck, experts say that there are no inherently unlucky signs.
Iskandar says, “In assessing a birth chart, an expert would take into consideration the interaction between the animal signs and the elements. Looking at the elements contained in the animal signs instead of fixating on the signs themselves gives a more accurate, nonjudgmental understanding of the nature of each sign. Cultural differences and one’s personal biases over certain animal signs may influence what they judge as lucky or unlucky. For example, one may be fearful of snakes or rats. When you see the signs as part of the five elements, you will realize that there are no lucky or unlucky signs in the Chinese zodiac.”
Twenty-twenty four is a Wood year, and people born in the year of this element are known to be creative, energetic, grounded and ambitious, like a growing tree. Since dragons are associated with leadership, power and luck, the two traits combined in the Wood Dragon make for people who are visionaries that have big ideas and are skilled at thinking of good ideas and following through on them.
The years in the Chinese zodiac are determined by the lunar calendar and the corresponding personality traits and compatibilities of the animals and elements can be drawn from a variety of sources, including Chinese metaphysics, books, mythology, and generational knowledge.
