干支 · Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese zodiac, gently
twelve animals, five elements.

A twelve-year cycle, each year ruled by an animal and coloured by an element. The animal of your birth year describes your temperament, your luck, and who you get along with.

Find your animal

The twelve Chinese zodiac animals arranged in a circle on washi paper

What is the Chinese zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac, or Shēngxiào, assigns an animal to each year in a repeating cycle of twelve: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Your birth-year animal is your sign.

Each animal carries a personality and a folklore of strengths and frictions. Layered on top is a cycle of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water — so a Water Tiger and a Fire Tiger share an animal but wear it differently.

Three ideas to hold

Your year is your animalThe animal of the lunar year you were born in is your primary sign. Because it follows the lunar calendar, births in January and February can fall in the previous animal's year.

Five elements colour itWood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water rotate through the cycle, tinting each animal. The element adds a second layer to your temperament.

Animals attract and clashTradition maps which animals harmonise and which quietly oppose each other — the heart of Chinese compatibility readings.

The twelve animals

Meet the zodiac animals

Tap any animal to read its nature, element, and best matches.

Rat — The StrategistQuick-witted and resourceful. Rats see opportunities others miss and turn small advantages into large ones.Ox — The Steady WorkerPatient, dependable, and methodical. Oxen carry loads others abandon and finish what others quit.Tiger — The BraveBold, charismatic, and unpredictable. Tigers lead by force of presence — courageous, sometimes reckless.Rabbit — The DiplomatGentle, refined, and artistic. Rabbits avoid conflict and create beauty through grace and good taste.Dragon — The PowerfulMagnetic, ambitious, and visionary. Dragons command attention — born with confidence others spend lifetimes earning.Snake — The WiseIntuitive, mysterious, and elegant. Snakes see beneath the surface and move with quiet, deliberate power.Horse — The Free SpiritEnergetic, adventurous, and independent. Horses run toward the horizon — they need movement, freedom, open road.Goat — The Gentle ArtistCreative, gentle, and nurturing. Goats see beauty everywhere — kind hearts who shape the world through art and care.Monkey — The CleverInventive, witty, and curious. Monkeys play with problems until solutions appear — the trickster's intelligence.Rooster — The Proud PerformerConfident, observant, and hardworking. Roosters notice everything — perfectionists with a sharp eye and sharper tongue.Dog — The Loyal GuardianFaithful, principled, and protective. Dogs defend what they love — the moral center of the zodiac.Pig — The GenerousWarm, sincere, and generous. Pigs enjoy life and want others to enjoy it too — abundance shared without calculation.

Common questions

How do I find my Chinese zodiac animal?

It's set by the lunar year you were born. Because the lunar new year falls in late January or February, a birthday early in the year may belong to the previous animal — Keiro handles this automatically.

What do the five elements mean?

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water cycle through the years and tint each animal sign. Your element refines your animal's personality and is part of a full reading.

What is my 'secret enemy'?

Each animal sits opposite one other on the wheel — its traditional clash. It doesn't mean conflict is fated, only that the pairing takes more understanding.

Is it the same as Western astrology?

No. Western astrology reads the planets at your exact birth moment; the Chinese zodiac reads your birth year's animal and element. Keiro gives you both.

Ready to meet your animal?

Keiro reveals your animal, element, and matches in two minutes — free, no card.

Get your free reading

The Chinese zodiac, gentlytwelve animals, five elements.