Chinese Zodiac. What Are They? What Is My Chinese Zodiac?

Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao (/shnng-sshyao/ 'born resembling'), is represented by 12 zodiac animals. In order,  they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Chinese zodiac years begin/end at Chinese New Year (in January/February). Each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years is represented by a zodiac animal, each with its own reputed attributes.

2023 is a year of the Rabbit, starting from January 22nd, 2023, and ending on February 9th, 2024. 2022 is a year of the Tiger, starting from February 1^st, 2022 and ends on January 21^st, 2023.

Chinese people believe that a person's horoscope, personality, and love compatibility are closely associated with his/her Chinese zodiac sign, determined by his/her birth year.

Here you can find out all about the Chinese zodiac, including how to discover your Chinese zodiac sign and Chinese horoscope.

Each Chinese zodiac year is represented by an animal. The table of Chinese zodiac years below will help you find your zodiac sign fast.

For example, 1991 is a year of the Goat. If you were born in 1991, your Chinese zodiac sign is the Goat, and you are known as a "Goat".

Chinese Zodiac Years

For the starting date of a zodiac year, there are two schools of thought in Chinese astrology: Chinese New Year or the Start of Spring.

• Chinese New Year, day 1 of the Chinese lunar year, falls somewhere in the period January 21^st to February 20^th.
• The Start of Spring is the 1^st of the 24 Solar Terms, beginning on February 3^rd or 4^th. 

Most Chinese people use Chinese New Year as the start of the zodiac year. This is popular Chinese astrology. Only traditionalists and professional astrologers use the first solar term. 

Therefore, for example if you were born in January or February in 1997, you might be an Ox or a Rat.  

Chinese Zodiac Signs' Personality

Chinese zodiac animals have astrological and cultural meanings. Chinese people associate each animal sign with certain characteristics. It's believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year's animal. 

Rat: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.

Ox: diligent, dependable, strong, determined.

Tiger: brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable.

Rabbit: quiet, elegant, kind, responsible.

Dragon: confident, intelligent, enthusiastic.

Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.

Horse: animated, active, energetic.

Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.

Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.

Rooster: observant, hardworking, courageous.

Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.

Pig: compassionate, generous, diligent.

Chinese Zodiac Signs' Lucky/Unlucky Things

Lucky Things

Unlucky Things

This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here