Chinese zodiac facts for kids

The Chinese zodiac is a special system from China that links an animal and its traits to each year. It follows a repeating cycle of twelve years. This system is a big part of Chinese culture and Chinese philosophy. Many people in China believe that your personality is connected to the animal of your birth year.

This zodiac system is popular in many East Asian and Southeast Asian countries. You can find it in places like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. It's similar to the Western zodiac because both have twelve parts. However, the Chinese zodiac animals represent years, not months, and are not linked to constellations.

The Chinese zodiac is based on the Chinese calendar, which uses the moon's cycles and the sun's position. People believe these twelve animals can influence your personality, career, and even your luck!

What is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac is a cycle of twelve years, with each year named after a different animal. This cycle repeats, so every twelve years, the same animal returns. It's a way to understand time and even people's personalities.

How Zodiac Years Start

There are two main ideas about when a Chinese zodiac year begins. Some people believe it starts on Chinese New Year. Others think it begins on the "Start of Spring" (called lichun), which is usually around February 4th.

Chinese vs. Western Zodiac

The Chinese zodiac is different from the Western zodiac you might know.

• The Chinese zodiac uses years, not months.
• Its animals are not connected to star groups (constellations).
• The Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar, which follows the moon and sun.

The Story of the Zodiac Animals

There are many old fables that explain how the Chinese zodiac began. One of the most famous is the story of the Great Race.

The Great Race

This image depicts a scene from the "Great Race" folk story, in which the Ox carries the Rat across the river.

Long ago, the Jade Emperor decided to create a calendar. He announced a great race across a river. The first twelve animals to reach him on the other side would have a year named after them, in the order they arrived.

• The Rat and the Cat were not good swimmers. They asked the kind Ox to carry them across the river. As they neared the finish line, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water. Then, the Rat jumped off the Ox and quickly ran to the Emperor, becoming the first animal. The Ox came in second.
• The Tiger arrived third, explaining that the strong river currents had pushed it downstream.
• Next came the Rabbit, hopping from stone to stone. It almost lost but grabbed a floating log that carried it to shore, earning it fourth place.
• The Dragon flew in fifth. The Emperor asked why it wasn't first. The Dragon explained it stopped to bring rain to a village and then helped the Rabbit by blowing a puff of breath to push its log to shore. The Emperor was impressed.
• The Snake arrived sixth, hidden on the Horse’s hoof. It startled the Horse, making the Horse fall back. The Horse finished seventh.
• Then, the Goat, Monkey, and Rooster worked together. The Rooster found a raft, and the Monkey and Goat pulled it through the weeds. The Emperor was happy with their teamwork. The Goat was eighth, the Monkey ninth, and the Rooster tenth.
• The Dog came in eleventh. Even though it was a great swimmer, it spent too much time playing in the water.
• Finally, the Pig arrived last. It had gotten hungry during the race, stopped to eat, and then fell asleep! It finished twelfth.

The Cat, pushed into the water by the Rat, never made it to the zodiac. This is why, in the story, cats and rats are said to be enemies.

The Twelve Zodiac Signs

A stone carving of the Chinese zodiac.

The Chinese zodiac traditionally starts with the Rat. Each animal sign has its own special traits and is linked to different elements and forces.

Zodiac Animals and Time

Each zodiac animal is also linked to a specific two-hour period of the day. This helps people remember the Earthly Branches system, which was used to record time.

Zodiac Trines: Personality Groups

The twelve zodiac animals are grouped into four "Trines." Animals in the same Trine are believed to share similar personality traits and ways of thinking.

First Trine

The first group includes the Rat, Dragon, and Monkey.

• These signs are often seen as strong and powerful leaders.
• They are usually smart, charming, and confident.
• However, they can also be a bit unpredictable or even manipulative.

Second Trine

The second group is the Ox, Snake, and Rooster.

• These animals are known for being patient and determined.
• They plan carefully and tend to stick to their beliefs.
• They are often hard-working, loyal, and honest.

Third Trine

The third group includes the Tiger, Horse, and Dog.

• These signs are often looking for true love and care about helping others.
• They are usually energetic, independent, and protective.
• Sometimes, they can be impulsive or stubborn.

Fourth Trine

The fourth group consists of the Rabbit, Goat, and Pig.

• These animals are generally calm and reasonable.
• They appreciate beauty and are often artistic and kind.
• They can sometimes be a little insecure or indecisive.

Zodiac Compatibility

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility-Conflict-Harm Grid in accordance to one's nature, characteristics, and elements

In Chinese astrology, people believe that different zodiac signs get along better than others. This is based on the ancient Five Elements Theory, which describes how different elements interact. A compatibility chart can show how each zodiac sign might get along with others in friendships, love, or even marriage.

The 60-Year Cycle

The Chinese zodiac is part of a larger 60-year cycle. This cycle combines the twelve animal signs with five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element is linked to a Yin or Yang force. This means that every 60 years, the exact same animal-element combination repeats.

Finding Your Zodiac Year

You can figure out your zodiac animal and element by looking at the year you were born. The table below shows the 60-year cycle and which animal and element are linked to each year. Remember, the Chinese zodiac year often starts around February, not January 1st.

Zodiac in Other Countries

The Chinese zodiac has spread to many other Asian countries. While they follow a similar system, some countries have different animals in their zodiac.

• Korean Zodiac: Uses a Sheep instead of a Goat.
• Japanese Zodiac: Uses a Sheep instead of a Goat and a Wild Boar instead of a Pig.
• Vietnamese Zodiac: Features a Water Buffalo instead of an Ox and a Cat instead of a Rabbit.
• Cambodian Zodiac: Is very similar, but the Dragon can be a Nāga (a mythical sea snake).
• Cham Zodiac: Replaces the Monkey with a Turtle.
• Malay Zodiac: Uses a Mousedeer instead of a Rabbit and a Tortoise instead of a Pig. The Dragon is often called a Big Snake.
• Thai Zodiac: Includes a Nāga (mythical serpent) instead of a Dragon.
• Gurung Zodiac (Nepal): Has a Cow instead of an Ox, a Cat instead of a Rabbit, an Eagle instead of a Dragon, a Bird instead of a Rooster, and a Deer instead of a Pig.

English Names for Zodiac Animals

Sometimes, the English names for the Chinese zodiac animals can be a bit confusing. This is because the original Chinese words might refer to a broader group of animals.

• Rat: The Chinese word can mean both Rat or Mouse. Rat is the most common translation.
• Ox: This can mean Ox, Bull, Cow, or Buffalo. Ox is generally used.
• Rabbit: The Chinese word means both Rabbit and Hare. Since hares are common in China, it could mean hare, but Rabbit is often used.
• Snake: Can also be called Serpent, especially for a large snake.
• Goat: The Chinese word can mean Goat, Sheep, or Ram. Goat is most commonly used.
• Rooster: This can mean Rooster, Chicken, or Hen. Rooster is the most common English term.

Images for kids

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  A chart from Tibet showing good and bad days for certain practices, with zodiac animals.

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  The Soyombo symbol with other Buddhist and Chinese zodiac symbols on a wall.

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  Twelve Chinese zodiac jade figurines from the Capital Museum in Beijing, China.

See also

• Chinese astrology
• Chinese New Year
• Earthly Branches