The Chinese zodiac, also known as the 12 animal signs, is one of the most famous traditions in Chinese culture.
The twelve animals - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig - are connected to the traditional Chinese calendar and repeat in a 12-year cycle.
For many people, their zodiac sign is a cultural symbol connected to their birth year, family traditions, and Lunar New Year celebrations.
Is Your Chinese Zodiac Sign Based on the Lunar Calendar or the Solar Calendar?
Many people believe the Chinese zodiac changes on Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year). However, in traditional Chinese astrology, the calculation is often based on Liqiu (the Start of Spring solar term) rather than the first day of the lunar year.
More accurately, the zodiac transition follows the traditional Chinese solar calendar system, which is based on the 24 solar terms.
Liqiu marks the beginning of a new seasonal cycle and is considered an important dividing point in traditional Chinese astrology.
Why Does Traditional Chinese Astrology Use Liqiu?
The Chinese zodiac is closely connected with the ancient Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches system.
Each year is represented by one Heavenly Stem and one Earthly Branch. The Earthly Branches correspond to the twelve zodiac animals.
Because this traditional system follows the solar cycle, the yearly change is traditionally considered to begin around Liqiu instead of Lunar New Year.
In traditional astrology and fortune-telling practices, a person’s birth time is believed to be connected with their Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch combination. Therefore, the zodiac sign is also calculated using this method.
Example
For example:
A person born after 5:28 AM on February 4, 2018 would traditionally be considered born in the Year of the Dog.
Even though Lunar New Year had not yet arrived, traditional astrology calculations would place that birth date under the Dog zodiac sign.
Chinese Zodiac Birth Date Ranges
The following dates are based on the traditional Liqiu calculation method.
🐭 Rat
2008: Feb 4, 2008 - Feb 4, 2009
1996: Feb 4, 1996 - Feb 4, 1997
1984: Feb 4, 1984 - Feb 4, 1985
1972: Feb 5, 1972 - Feb 4, 1973
🐮 Ox
2009: Feb 4, 2009 - Feb 4, 2010
1997: Feb 4, 1997 - Feb 4, 1998
1985: Feb 4, 1985 - Feb 4, 1986
1973: Feb 4, 1973 - Feb 4, 1974
🐯 Tiger
2010: Feb 4, 2010 - Feb 4, 2011
1998: Feb 4, 1998 - Feb 4, 1999
1986: Feb 4, 1986 - Feb 4, 1987
1974: Feb 4, 1974 - Feb 4, 1975
🐰 Rabbit
2011: Feb 4, 2011 - Feb 4, 2012
1999: Feb 4, 1999 - Feb 4, 2000
1987: Feb 4, 1987 - Feb 4, 1988
1975: Feb 4, 1975 - Feb 5, 1976
🐲 Dragon
2012: Feb 4, 2012 - Feb 4, 2013
2000: Feb 4, 2000 - Feb 4, 2001
1988: Feb 4, 1988 - Feb 4, 1989
1976: Feb 5, 1976 - Feb 4, 1977
🐍 Snake
2013: Feb 4, 2013 - Feb 4, 2014
2001: Feb 4, 2001 - Feb 4, 2002
1989: Feb 4, 1989 - Feb 4, 1990
1977: Feb 4, 1977 - Feb 4, 1978
🐴 Horse
2014: Feb 4, 2014 - Feb 4, 2015
2002: Feb 4, 2002 - Feb 4, 2003
1990: Feb 4, 1990 - Feb 4, 1991
1978: Feb 4, 1978 - Feb 4, 1979
🐐 Goat
2015: Feb 4, 2015 - Feb 4, 2016
2003: Feb 4, 2003 - Feb 4, 2004
1991: Feb 4, 1991 - Feb 4, 1992
1979: Feb 4, 1979 - Feb 5, 1980
🐒 Monkey
2016: Feb 4, 2016 - Feb 3, 2017
2004: Feb 4, 2004 - Feb 4, 2005
1992: Feb 4, 1992 - Feb 4, 1993
1980: Feb 5, 1980 - Feb 4, 1981
🐓 Rooster
2017: Feb 3, 2017 - Feb 4, 2018
2005: Feb 4, 2005 - Feb 4, 2006
1993: Feb 4, 1993 - Feb 4, 1994
1981: Feb 4, 1981 - Feb 4, 1982
🐶 Dog
2018: Feb 4, 2018 - Feb 4, 2019
2006: Feb 4, 2006 - Feb 4, 2007
1994: Feb 4, 1994 - Feb 4, 1995
1982: Feb 4, 1982 - Feb 4, 1983
🐷 Pig
2007: Feb 4, 2007 - Feb 4, 2008
1995: Feb 4, 1995 - Feb 4, 1996
1983: Feb 4, 1983 - Feb 4, 1984
1971: Feb 4, 1971 - Feb 5, 1972
A Note About Chinese Zodiac Traditions
The Chinese zodiac is a beautiful cultural tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years.
Different communities may use slightly different methods when calculating zodiac signs. Many people around the world simply use the Lunar New Year date, while traditional Chinese astrology may use Liqiu and the solar calendar system.
The zodiac is best understood as a cultural symbol - a way to explore history, traditions, and personal identity.
Related Guides
For more context, you can also read What Is My Chinese Zodiac Sign?, Chinese zodiac years chart, Chinese zodiac personality guide, and Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
