Chinese Zodiac Animals in Order (With Years)
Nov 10, 2026 · The Editors
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in order, with every year from 1960 to 2031, how to find your sign if you were born in January or February, the legend of the Great Race, and the five elements.
The Chinese zodiac is a repeating cycle of twelve animals, one for each year. In order, they are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2026 is the Year of the Horse; 2027 is the Year of the Goat.
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in order, with years
| # | Animal | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rat | 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| 2 | Ox | 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| 3 | Tiger | 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 |
| 4 | Rabbit | 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 |
| 5 | Dragon | 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 |
| 6 | Snake | 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 |
| 7 | Horse | 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 |
| 8 | Goat | 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 |
| 9 | Monkey | 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 |
| 10 | Rooster | 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 |
| 11 | Dog | 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 |
| 12 | Pig | 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 |
To find any other year, add or subtract 12.
Born in January or February? Check the date
The zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year, not on 1 January. The new year falls on a different date each year, between late January and mid-February. If you were born before that year's New Year, your animal is the previous year's. Someone born in mid-January 1990, for example, is a Snake, not a Horse.
The legend of the Great Race
The best-known story says the Jade Emperor called a race across a river, and the animals would be placed in the order they finished. The clever Rat rode across on the Ox's back and jumped ashore just before it, taking first place. The Cat, who had asked the Rat to wake it, was left asleep — which, the story says, is why there is no Cat in the zodiac and why cats chase rats.
Versions differ on the details of every other animal, but the Rat's trick on the Ox is the part everyone tells.
Goat, sheep or ram?
The eighth animal is 羊 (yáng), a word that covers goats, sheep and rams. All three translations are used, and none is wrong. In Vietnam's version of the zodiac, the Cat takes the Rabbit's place and the water buffalo takes the Ox's.
The five elements: why 2026 is a Fire Horse
Each year also has one of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water — and each element lasts two years. Twelve animals and five elements combine into a 60-year cycle. 2024 and 2025 were Wood years; 2026 and 2027 are Fire years, so 2026 is the Fire Horse and 2027 the Fire Goat. For more on the current animals, see our guides to the Year of the Horse and the Year of the Goat 2027.
Each animal at a glance
| Animal | Traits traditionally given |
|---|---|
| Rat | Quick-witted, resourceful |
| Ox | Patient, hard-working |
| Tiger | Brave, competitive |
| Rabbit | Gentle, careful |
| Dragon | Confident, ambitious |
| Snake | Wise, private |
| Horse | Energetic, free-spirited |
| Goat | Calm, creative |
| Monkey | Clever, playful |
| Rooster | Observant, honest |
| Dog | Loyal, protective |
| Pig | Generous, easy-going |
Zodiac gifts for the New Year
A coin for someone's animal is a traditional small New Year gift, and fits a red envelope. Our Year of the Goat 2027 coin is made for the coming year, and the Azure Dragon coin suits anyone born in a Dragon year. For the customs around the holiday, see Chinese New Year traditions.
