1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 — RAT (鼠) 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 — OX(牛) 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 — TIGER(虎) 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 — RABBIT(兔) 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 — DRAGON(龙/龍) 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 — SNAKE(蛇) 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 — HORSE(马/馬) 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 — GOAT(羊) 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 — MONKEY(猴) 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 — ROOSTER(鸡/雞) 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 — DOG(狗) 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 — PIG(猪) These years are in accordance with the lunar (not solar) calendar. As a rule of thumb, the new year is usually around February 4th. If you’re born before the new year, you’re technically born in the prior year. The New Year changes every year, so do more research to be certain. Some refer to the goat as the sheep or ram.

These years are in accordance with the lunar (not solar) calendar. As a rule of thumb, the new year is usually around February 4th. If you’re born before the new year, you’re technically born in the prior year. The New Year changes every year, so do more research to be certain. Some refer to the goat as the sheep or ram.

Rat: This sign has spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality. These people are bright, sociable and ambitious, generally making them wealthy and successful. However, they are also timid, lack concentration and stability, and don’t fit most leadership positions. Ox: This sign is intelligent, self-confident, and a naturally-born leader. They are honest, industrious, patient, and above all else, do things steadily. No matter what, they always maintain a strong devotion to their work. However, they are also prudish, obstinate and poor at communication. Tiger: These individuals are tolerant, valiant, considerate, intelligent and respected. They like challenges and are quite good at expressing themselves. They are also short-tempered and not easily interested in much. Rabbit: This sign is gentle, sensitive, compassionate, amiable, modest. They are humorous and add spice to life – mainly because they can’t stand things being dull. However, they tend to throw away money and are stubborn yet undetermined. Dragon: This sign is bright, self-assured and romantic. They are also lively, intellectual, energetic and excitable. They make good leaders, always aiming for perfection. However, they can be arrogant and impatient, and sometimes overconfident. Snake: This sign is charming and is skilled at communicating effectively through saying little. They are very moral and full of wisdom. For most, money isn’t a problem. However, they can be jealous and suspicious and often tend to overdo things. Horse: This sign is cheerful, quick-witted, kind to others, and like to have adventures. They are also perceptive and talented, making good entertainers. However, they can be impatient, lack substance, and come across as superficial. Goat: These people are tender, polite, clever, gentle, and kind-hearted. They appreciate art and beauty and have a soft spot for quiet living. However, they can be shy, pessimistic, moody, and worry too much. Monkey: This sign is incredibly clever. They are lively, flexible, quick-witted, and are very talented problem solvers. And they’re very giving to boot! Weaknesses? They can be rather jealous, conniving, and selfish. Rooster: These people are deep thinkers, often thought of as honest, bright, communicative, and warm-hearted. They have high self-worth and tend to be independent. However, they also have difficulty relating with others and tend to assume they are always right. Dog: These people are loyal, courageous, warm, responsible, smart and realistic. They can easily inspire confidence in others. However, they lack stability, can have a biting tongue, and easily find fault. Pig: This sign is diligent, courageous, honest, chivalrous and gallant. They are tolerant, calm, and optimistic. They hate conflict and don’t lie easily. However, they can be naive, impulsive, and don’t know when to draw the line.

Rat: Yang sign Lucky numbers: 2, 3 Lucky colors: blue, golden, green Ox: Yang sign Lucky numbers: 9, 1 Lucky colors: blue, red, purple Tiger: Yang sign Lucky numbers: 1, 3, 4 Lucky colors: blue, grey, white, orange Rabbit: Yin sign Lucky numbers: 1, 4, 9 Lucky colors: red, pink, purple, blue Dragon: Yang sign Lucky numbers: 1, 7, 6 Lucky colors: golden, silver, hoary Snake: Yin sign Lucky numbers: 2, 8, 9 Lucky colors: red, light yellow, black Horse: Yang sign Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 7 Lucky colors: brown, yellow, purple Goat: Yin sign Lucky numbers: 3, 9, 4 Lucky colors: green, red, purple Monkey: Yang sign Lucky numbers: 1, 8, 7 Lucky colors: white, golden, blue Rooster Yin sign Lucky numbers: 7, 5, 8 Lucky colors: golden, brown, brownish yellow, yellow Dog: Yang sign Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9 Lucky colors: green, red, purple Pig: Yin sign Lucky numbers: 2, 5, 8 Lucky colors: yellow, grey, brown, golden

Rat: most compatible with dragon, monkey, and ox; least with sheep, horse, and rabbit Ox: most compatible with rat, snake, rooster; least with horse, dog, sheep Tiger: most compatible with horse, dog; least compatible with snake, monkey Rabbit: most compatible with sheep, pig, dog; least with rat, dragon Dragon: most compatible with rat, monkey, rooster; least with ox, rabbit, dog Snake: most compatible with ox, rooster; least with tiger, pig Horse: most compatible with tiger, sheep, dog; least with rat, ox, rabbit Goat: most compatible with rabbit, horse, pig; least with ox, dog Monkey: most compatible with rat, dragon, snake; least with tiger, pig Rooster: most compatible with ox, dragon, snake; least with rat, rabbit, dog Dog: most compatible with tiger, rabbit, horse; least compatible with ox, dragon, sheep, rooster Pig: most compatible with sheep, rabbit; least with snake, monkey, pig

The four pillars are those four factors, in that order. They are also combined with yin and yang and the 5 elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth). It is all believed to determine your luck, affluence, longevity, happiness, and wealth year by year. Chinese astrology works in 60 year cycles. If you’re a math fiend with nothing better to do, you could break down the patterns of all these ideas into a sexagesimal cycle.

February 4th - March 5th: Tiger March 6th - April 4th: Rabbit April 5th - May 4th: Dragon May 5th - June 5th: Snake June 6th - July 6th: Horse July 7th - August 6th: Goat August 7th - September 7th: Monkey September 8th - October 7th: Rooster October 8th - November 6th: Dog November 7th - December 6th: Pig December 7th - January 5th: Rat January 6th - February 3rd: Ox

Because it’d be ridiculous to list the entire 60-day cycle here, it’s advisable to visit an online calculator to find out your element and Zodiac sign for your day. If you’re really bored, map out the entire cycle!

1:00 - 03:00 AM: Ox 3:00 - 5:00 AM: Tiger 5:00 - 7:00 AM: Rabbit 7:00 - 9:00 AM: Dragon 9:00 - 11:00 AM: Snake 11:00 - 1:00 PM: Horse 1:00 - 3:00 PM: Ram 3:00 - 5:00 PM: Monkey 5:00 - 7:00 PM: Rooster 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Dog 9:00 - 11:00 PM: Pig 11:00 - 1:00 AM: Rat

Every year is either yin or yang. Odd years are yang and even years are yin. Whatever the current year is, it’s that side of the spectrum that tends to get emphasized. Every sign is yin or yang as well. This is the side of your personality that naturally has more power – though anything can change in alignment with the stars. Yin is associate with passivity, cold, femininity, submissive, dark energy. Yang represents activity, heat, masculinity, aggressiveness, and light energy. Before you go assuming the worst, know that everyone has both – it’s just a cycle. You start with yin, say, until it blooms and turns into yang. And take into account the year’s yin or yang, too!

0 or 1: Metal 2 or 3: Water 4 or 5: Wood 6 or 7: Fire 8 or 9: Earth What does this mean? Again, it’s a cycle, this part emphasizing movement and change. Whatever element you are will naturally be emphasized, but how does it mix with the element of the current year? It is believed that the element of the year is the dominant one – some years will work with your element, while others will work against, creating harmony and disharmony. There are believed to be two cycles: the creative cycle and the destructive cycle. For example, water destroys fire but produces wood and so forth. Each element affects others in different ways, ideally creating a perfect balance. It is believed that the elements line up with the 4 seasons. Wood is the strongest in spring, fire in summer, Earth during the season transitions, and so on. Each element is dominant for 2 years in a row. The cycle repeats every 10 years (there being 5 elements and all).

What does this mean? Again, it’s a cycle, this part emphasizing movement and change. Whatever element you are will naturally be emphasized, but how does it mix with the element of the current year? It is believed that the element of the year is the dominant one – some years will work with your element, while others will work against, creating harmony and disharmony. There are believed to be two cycles: the creative cycle and the destructive cycle. For example, water destroys fire but produces wood and so forth. Each element affects others in different ways, ideally creating a perfect balance. It is believed that the elements line up with the 4 seasons. Wood is the strongest in spring, fire in summer, Earth during the season transitions, and so on. Each element is dominant for 2 years in a row. The cycle repeats every 10 years (there being 5 elements and all).

The Ten Heavenly stems are a combination of yin and yang and the Five Elements. Therefore, your options are Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire , Yang Earth, Yin Earth, Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yang Water, Yin Water. These go in a 60-year cycle as discussed above. Year 1 was Rat Yang Wood; year 61 will be the same, cycling through with no repetitions before that. The Twelve Earthly Branches are the Zodiac animals discussed in the first section. You know, the ones you find on Chinese take-out menus.

Remember that good luck and all positive things don’t just happen. This chart is telling you that at certain times, they have potential. You have to go out and get it! By knowing this chart, you’ll know when those times are and when you should make your move in alignment with the stars.

Carry a lucky symbol with you. Let’s say you’re a goat and it’s a bad year for you, but it’s a great year for the Ox. Carry a little trinket of an Ox around you to circumvent the negative airs around you. Use an online calculator if you’d like to figure out your sign the easy way. Remember to account for Chinese time – if you input the timezone of your birth, some calculators can do that for you. And don’t forget the new year!