What Chinese New Year Animal Are You?

What Chinese New Year animal are you?

According to legend, the winners of an ancient race create the lunar calendar. The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig got their spots based on when they arrived, with the rat in the lead and the pig coming in last.

This is why the Chinese zodiac has 12 animals, each linked to specific years in a repeating cycle. Each animal has special strengths and weaknesses, as well as things that are lucky or unlucky for them. Some people even go as far as to check their animal’s compatibility with someone else before pursuing a new relationship.

Are you ready to unlock the mysteries of your Chinese zodiac sign? Then follow along to discover which animal represents you.

Rat

• Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
• Characteristics: Clever, inventive, resourceful, compassionate, considerate
• Lucky Numbers: 2, 3
• Lucky Directions: West, northwest, southwest
• Good Matches: Rat, Ox, Dragon, or Monkey

Do you fall under the Chinese New Year animal of the rat? Then you might consider going into business for yourself. Charming, hardworking, and often perfectionists, those born in the Year of the Rat are thrifty with money but easily angered. With big ambitions and success, they are most compatible with Dragons, Monkey, and Ox.

Ox

• Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
• Characteristics: Diligent, reliable, persistent, resolute, unwavering
• Lucky Numbers: 1, 4
• Lucky Directions: North, south
• Good Matches: Rat, Snake, or Rooster

Patient and confidence-inspiring, those born in the Year of the Ox can be eccentric and bigoted, with fierce tempers. Mentally and physically alert, Ox individuals are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

Tiger

• Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
• Characteristics: Courageous, self-assured, erratic
• Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4
• Lucky Directions: East, north, south
• Good Matches: Horse, Dog, or Pig

Individuals born in the Year of the Tiger are brave, competitive, and confident, earning them charm and popularity. However, they may exhibit impulsiveness, irritability, and indulgence. In the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Tiger signifies courage, assertiveness, and bold actions, symbolizing power, bravery, and strength.

Rabbit

• Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
• Characteristics: Serene, benevolent, reliable
• Lucky Numbers: 3, 4
• Lucky Directions: East, south, northwest
• Good Matches: Goat, Dog, or Pig

Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are vigilant, witty, and quick-minded, embodying luck and symbolizing mercy, elegance, and beauty. Individuals of this sign are characterized by calmness, a peaceful nature, and a preference for avoiding conflicts. They are often artistic with a refined taste in life, making the rabbit a strong symbol of peace.

Dragon

• Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
• Characteristics: Self-assured, clever, energetic, passionate
• Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7
• Lucky Directions: East, north, south
• Good Matches: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster

Healthy, energetic, and excitable, those born in the Year of the Dragon are honest, brave, and eccentric. While inspiring confidence, they can also be soft-hearted. However, they may also exhibit traits such as self-absorption, restlessness, and arrogance.

Babies born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be destined for wealth and success. The Wood Dragon year, in particular, is associated with authority, prosperity, and good fortune. However, the intense nature of dragons can manifest as being impulsive, tactless, aggressive, judgmental, and impractical, leading to difficulty with emotions.

Snake

• Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
• Characteristics: Mysterious, smart, insightful
• Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, 9
• Lucky Directions: East, west, southwest
• Good Matches: Ox or Rooster

Snakes, born in their respective years, are known for being intuitive, sensitive, competent, and imaginative. They attract others with their mysterious and graceful demeanor. Calm and thorough, they excel in executing plans and can be relied upon to navigate challenges, leading others out of dilemmas.

Horse

• Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
• Characteristics: Lively, dynamic, spirited, outgoing
• Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 7
• Lucky Directions: East, west, south
• Good Matches: Tiger, Goat, or Dog

Those born in the Year of the Horse are high-spirited, active, and energetic, earning favor with their enthusiasm and cheerful personalities. They possess traits such as being warm-hearted, enthusiastic, and positive. Symbolizing independence and freedom, individuals of this sign may be reluctant to heed advice or consider others’ ideas, potentially leading to misjudgments in important matters.

Goat

• Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
• Characteristics: Serene, tender, understanding
• Lucky Numbers: 2, 7
• Lucky Directions: North
• Good Matches: Rabbit, Horse, Goat, or Pig

People born in the Year of the Ram (or goat) are elegant and accomplished in the arts. Despite initial advantages, they can be shy and pessimistic. Ram individuals are wise, gentle, and compassionate, compatible with Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses.

Monkey

• Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
• Characteristics: Sharp, intelligent, clever, astute, eager
• Lucky Numbers: 4, 9
• Lucky Directions: North, northwest, west
• Good Matches: Rat, Dragon, or Dog

People born in the Year of the Monkey are clever, skillful, and inventive. However, sometimes they can be too agreeable and impatient. Monkey individuals are good decision-makers with a desire for knowledge. While strong-willed, their anger cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat.

Rooster

• Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
• Characteristics: Perceptive, diligent, daring
• Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 8
• Lucky Directions: South, southeast
• Good Matches: Ox, Dragon, or Snake

People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They can be eccentric and face relationship challenges. Despite being outspoken and emotionally volatile, Rooster individuals are interesting and brave. They are most compatible with the ox, snake, and dragon.

Dog

• Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
• Characteristics: Charming, truthful, candid, wise
• Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 9
• Lucky Colors: Red, green, purple
• Lucky Flowers: Rose, cymbidium orchids
• Lucky Directions: East, south, northeast
• Good Matches: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, or Monkey

Loyalty, honesty and the ability to keep secrets define those born in the Year of the Dog. While they exhibit qualities of good leadership, they can also display traits of selfishness, stubbornness, and criticism. Despite not being driven by wealth, individuals of this sign often find financial stability.

Pig

• Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
• Characteristics: Compassionate, benevolent, liberal, hardworking
• Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 8
• Lucky Directions: East and southwest
• Good Matches: Tiger, Rabbit, or Goat

Compassion, generosity, and diligence; are all traits that describe those born in the Year of the Pig. They embody qualities of tolerance, sincerity, and optimism. Prudent, determined, and reliable, individuals of this sign are often finding themselves on new adventures. They find good compatibility with Tigers, Rabbits, Goats, or Dogs.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Lukas Kursk/Shutterstock.com