by Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Avia
Chinese Zodiac Signs and Their Meanings: Chinese zodiac signs are based on the year you were born. The Chinese believe the animal ruling one’s birth year has a profound influence on personality, and destiny. The saying is: “This animal hides in your heart.”
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Some Background Info About Chinese Zodiac Signs
Unlike Western astrology, Chinese astrology does not look directly at the heavenly constellations or planets to predict one’s destiny. Instead, Chinese astrology deals with divining sciences of wu xing or the five elements (earth, fire, water, metal, wood), Yin and Yang, Chi, and the cycles of time.
Legend has it that inception of Chinese zodiac signs began when the Buddha beckoned all the animals to bid him farewell before his departure from the Earth. Only twelve arrived at his summoning, and so these twelve creatures were given a place of honor in a year being named after each. Thus, the Chinese zodiac runs through a 12 year cycle, featuring each of the Buddha’s honored critters.
Chinese zodiac signs can offer extraordinary insight into the human psyche. What’s more, these signs open up an expansive view into our personality traits. Granted, each sign’s description is a broad stroke. There are fine details within each of us that may not be addressed, or some details about our sign may seem contrary to truth. That’s why it’s important not to hold zodiac signs as gospel. All of us are unique. We cannot permit to be pegged into a single zodiac definition. Nonetheless, Chinese zodiac signs can certainly illuminate aspects of ourselves we may have otherwise overlooked.
You can determine your animal sign by referring to the year you were born and matching it up with the corresponding animal in the chart below -or- enter your year of birth in this handy calculator to find your Chinese animal sign…
“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
~Confucius
Years Corresponding to Chinese Zodiac Signs
Rat: 1900 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020
Ox: 1901 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 2021
Tiger: 1902 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 2022
Rabbit: 1903 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023
Dragon: 1904 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024
Snake: 1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013 2025
Horse: 1906 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 2026
Sheep/Goat: 1907 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 2027
Monkey: 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 2028
Rooster: 1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 2029
Dog: 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 2030
Boar/Pig: 1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019 2031
Chinese Zodiac Sign Meanings
Below are the Chinese Zodiac signs, and the characteristics that correspond to each one. Additionally, you will find signs compatible with yours and the Chinese element that influences your zodiac sign. Please note, each sign has a link to more information about this particular animal’s symbolism. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy this summary on Chinese zodiac sign meanings.
Rat
Element: Water
Partners well with: Dragon and Monkey
Characteristics: Intelligent, adaptable, quick-witted, charming, artistic, sociable.
Ox
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Snake and Rooster
Characteristics: Loyal, reliable, thorough, strong, reasonable, steady, determined
Bull Symbolic Meaning here.
Tiger
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Horse and Dog
Characteristics: Enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, leadership, confidence, charismatic
Click here for more Chinese symbolic meanings for Tiger.
Rabbit
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Sheep and Boar
Characteristics: Trustworthy, empathic, modest, diplomatic, sincere, sociable, caretakers, sensitive.
More on Rabbit meanings here.
Dragon
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Rat and Monkey
Characteristics: Lucky, flexible, eccentric, imaginative, artistic, spiritual, charismatic
More on Chinese Dragon Symbolism here.
Snake
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Rooster and Ox
Characteristics: Philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive
Symbolism of Snake here.
Horse
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Dog and Tiger
Characteristics: Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong
See also Horse symbolic meanings.
Goat/Sheep
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Boar and Rabbit
Characteristics: Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm
See also Goat symbolic meanings.
Monkey
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Dragon and Rat
Characteristics: Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart. More on Monkey symbolism here. See also Monkey symbolic meanings.
Rooster
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Snake and Ox
Characteristics: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident. For more information on Rooster Symbol meanings, click here.
Dog
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Tiger and Horse
Characteristics: Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart For more information on Dog Symbol meanings, click here.
Pig/Boar
Element: Water
Partners well with: Sheep and Rabbit
Characteristics: Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable For more information on Boar Symbol meanings, click here.
Closing Thoughts About Chinese Zodiac Signs
I hope you enjoyed this perspective on Chinese zodiac signs. Learning about different symbol and sign meanings from different cultures gives us a broader understanding of the world we live in. Are these zodiac sign meanings 100% accurate? As with any pseudo-science, there are variables in meanings. Zodiac sign meanings are a great way to round-out personality types. But it’s important to remember there is a lot that makes us whole humans. Life-experience, training, childhood upbringing, etc. Mix all these ingredients together, and add a dash of zodiac sign spice, and you’ve got a great insight into personality types.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out more pages on Chinese meanings, zodiac meanings and more via the links on this page.
Thanks for reading, and have fun exploring!
Mighty brightly,
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