Chinese Animal Years & Chinese Zodiac Calendar

The Chinese calendar is based on a 60 year cycle of alternating 12 year animal cycles that are paired with one of the five elements (Photo: IANS)

First introduced in the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), the Chinese calendar uses a 12-year cycle of animal signs to represent each Chinese year. This system has been used to represent the years in Chinese culture, and is still popular today. The twelve animals that represent each year of the Chinese zodiac are: the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, in that order. The animals are associated with various characteristics, such as luck, wealth, and good fortune. After every 12 years, the Zodiac Animals in the Chinese Calendar repeat themselves with a new Element each year. This amalgamation of twelve animals with five different elements goes on for a period of 60 years, creating 60 unique combinations.

The 5 Elements

The Chinese Years are associated with the five Elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each zodiac animal has a ‘fixed element’ and then there are the ‘annual elements’ which are associated with the year, rather than the animal.

Annual Elements: The annual or yearly elements represent the Chinese calendar years, with each element representing two consecutive years, thus repeating in a 10-year cycle.

Fixed Elements: Fixed elements or permanent elements of the Animals are the ones that represent the Animal itself and are not to be confused with the Yearly or Annual Elements.
Metal: Monkey, Rooster
Water: Rat, Pig
Wood: Tiger, Rabbit
Fire: Snake, Horse
Earth: Ox, Dragon, Goat, Dog

Yin and Yang

Chinese years are also associated with Yin and Yang. Two opposite and complementary forces that are believed to be constantly in balance - Yin and Yang create a dynamic balance and harmony, which is seen as the foundation of all life and existence in the universe. The years of the Chinese Zodiac are divided into Yin and Yang cycles, with odd years representing Yin and even-numbered years representing Yang years.

As the Chinese New Year approaches, the anticipation of a new start and fresh beginnings fills the air (Photo: IANS)

Chinese New Year Date

When in Chinese New Year 2025 or 2026? What is the English date corresponding to Chinese New Year date? Table below give the Chinese New Year dates of all Years between 2017 and 2032 along with name of the Chinese animal zodiac, element representing to the year and also the Chinese year name.

Chinese Years - Chinese Animal Years List

Below is a list of all the years from 1900 to 2100, sorted according to the Chinese Animal they represent. For example, the Years listed under the column Rat represent the Chinese Year of the Rat, likewise, Chinese Year of the Tiger, Chinese Year of the Hare, etc.

Important: While determining your year of birth, please keep in mind that the Chinese year starts with Chinese New Year and not on January 1st. If your birthday falls before the Chinese New Year in any year, your Chinese year of birth will be one year less than that English calendar year. For example, if you were born on January 20th, 2017, your Chinese year is 2016, as Chinese New Year 2017 falls on January 28th.

^# The years represent Chinese year, not English year

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