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Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
Enter your date of birth to reveal your animal sign, personality traits, and learn how to write it in Chinese.
Zodiac Calculator
Select your birth date to discover your Chinese zodiac sign
The Legend of the 12 Animals
Long ago, according to ancient myth, the Jade Emperor held a Great Race to decide which animals would represent the calendar signs. The order of the zodiac was determined by the order in which the animals finished the race.
The clever Rat hitched a ride on the Ox and jumped off at the finish line to take first place. The reliable Ox came second, followed by the powerful Tiger and the agile Rabbit. This 12-year cycle is more than just a timekeeping system; it is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, influencing major life decisions, from marriage compatibility to career choices.
In China, asking "What is your animal sign?" is a polite way to ask someone's age without being direct.
The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
Click on any animal to learn its stroke order
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhy do I need to enter my exact birth date, not just the year?
Because the Chinese Zodiac follows the Lunar Calendar, not the Western (Gregorian) calendar.
Chinese New Year falls on a different date every year, usually between January 21 and February 20. If you were born in January or early February, you might actually belong to the zodiac sign of the previous year.
Example: If you were born on Feb 1, 1988, you are a Rabbit, not a Dragon, because the Year of the Dragon didn't start until Feb 17, 1988.
QWhat is the Chinese Zodiac (Shengxiao)?
The Chinese Zodiac (Shengxiao, 生肖) is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes.
In order, the 12 animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. It is believed that your animal sign influences your personality, career, and compatibility with others.
QWhat does "Ben Ming Nian" (本命年) mean?
"Ben Ming Nian" refers to the year of your own zodiac animal. It happens every 12 years (at age 12, 24, 36, 48, etc.).
Traditionally, it is believed that during your birth year, you might offend "Tai Sui" (the God of Age), bringing some bad luck. To ward off bad luck, Chinese people often wear red underwear, red socks, or red bracelets during their Ben Ming Nian.
QCan I learn to write my Zodiac character on this site?
Yes! This is exactly what hanzistroke.com is for.
Once you find your animal sign, simply click on the character (e.g., 龙 for Dragon). We provide step-by-step stroke order animations and printable worksheets to help you master writing your sign beautifully. It's a great starting point for learning Chinese!