Chinese Zodiac 2023: What Does Your Sign Say About You?

2023: The Year of the Water Rabbit and Your Zodiac Sign

The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. They represent a cyclical concept of time, rather than the western linear concept of time. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and is constructed in a different fashion than the western solar calendar.

In the lunar calendar, the beginning of the year falls somewhere between late January and early February. The Chinese adopted the western calendar in 1911, but the lunar calendar is still used for festive occasions, such as Lunar New Year.

A popular folk method which reflected this cyclical method of recording years are the twelve animal signs. Every year is assigned an animal name or “sign” according to a repeating cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Therefore, the same animal’s name or “sign” would reappear every twelve years.

We’re about to enter the Year of the Water Rabbit.

Read the interpretations below to see how your animal sign will fare in 2023.

Rat:

1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

People born in the Year of the Rat are intelligent, energetic, creative, charming, resourceful, thrifty, and above all, extremely organized. Ambitious Rats are likely to be perfectionists. They work hard to achieve their goals and acquire possessions, and are often very successful. They love to gossip and have a tendency to get easily angered. But when a Rat takes a risk, it usually pays off. Quick-witted Rat is usually able to devise clever ways to get out of predicaments. The Year of the Rabbit is beneficial for Rat. These two signs have a mother (Rat) and child (Rabbit) relationship. Rat will always support Rabbit, and will receive luck and good fortune in return.

Ox:

1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

People born in the Year of the Ox are reliable, loyal, and hardworking. They are modest and cautious, and often keep their emotions bottled up. Patience is one of their key attributes, and they often inspire confidence in others. Although they are not big talkers, they are quite eloquent when they take the risk. On the flip side, Ox tends to be eccentric, is easily angered, and hates to fail or be opposed. After a turbulent 2022 with Tiger at the helm, Ox will finally be in position to reach a state of balance. This will be a year of self-exploration, where Ox is able to see a situation from multiple perspectives and respect varying viewpoints. As Ox grows in self-awareness, their appreciation of others grows as well.

Tiger:

1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

People born in the Year of the Tiger are charming, magnetic, unpredictable, adventurous, strong, trustworthy, and independent. Historically, these natural-born leaders were held on a pedestal and viewed in the same light as emperors. Tigers often do what they please, sometimes to the detriment of those around them, yet people still flock to their sides. They tend to be intelligent, yet arrogant, and like to show off their many accomplishments. This year, more than ever, Tigers have luck and prosperity on their side, putting them in a position to succeed. While Tiger will face some challenges this year, preparing in advance and persevering through the storms will help Tiger to grow in incredible ways.

 

Rabbit:

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are gentle, caring, creative, and playful, yet conservative. In business, Rabbits are talented and conscientious, and seldom lose their temper. While fond of gossip, Rabbits are trusted and admired for their tact. Over the past few years, Rabbits found themselves lucky in love and business; the same good fortunes will continue this year. While Rabbits are most compatible with Dog, Pig, and Sheep, their kind and nurturing nature draws many people near. Self-care is a priority for Rabbits, so they don’t over-extend and wear themselves too thin. This year, Rabbits will enter into new relationships that help them discover more about themselves. Regardless of the challenges they face, Rabbits must keep their eyes on the prize and continue working toward their own goals. This will bring a year of surprises and good fortune.

 

Dragon:

1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

People born in the Year of the Dragon are decisive, determined, and charismatic. They are also short-tempered, stubborn, and easily excitable. They often seek out adventure and excitement, but through their honesty and bravery, Dragons inspire confidence and trust in others. Dragons are the most eccentric sign of the zodiac, and while they are often loud and prominent, Dragons tend to be soft-hearted, giving others room to take advantage. Many new opportunities will pop up for Dragons this year. As long as Dragons weigh the pros and cons of a situation, stay true to their decisive nature, and surround themselves with high-achieving supporters, they will be in for a lucky year ahead.

Snake:

1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

People born in the Year of the Snake are wise, watchful, and tenacious. They are financially fortunate and never have to worry about money. Snakes say little and possess great wisdom. Although Snakes may seem cold at first, they are intense, passionate, and loving to those they get close to. Snakes have a negative quality, too—laziness. They also have a tendency to be quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy, yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people’s judgement and prefer to rely on themselves. Determined in whatever they do, Snakes hate to fail. Snakes had a tumultuous year in 2022, but the experiences and teachings they gained will help them avoid turmoil in 2023. This year, Snakes need to rely on their own self-awareness and focus on creating balance between their home life and work life.

Horse:

1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

People born in the Year of the Horse are driven, lively, independent, honest, and exuberant. They enjoy their freedom and look for unique forms of self-expression. Cheerful and skilled with money, this popular sign is generally perceptive. However, Horse is also impatient and hot-blooded, and often disregards advice from others. While the end of 2022 brought many frustrations for Horse, that luck is about to turn around. This year, Horse should look into any and all opportunities that present themselves, even if it requires Horse stepping out of its comfort zone. Achieving success in love and business will all stem from Horse’s self-perception. Having a strong sense of self, trusting the advice of others, and making confident decisions, are key to Horse’s good fortune in 2023.

 

Sheep:

1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015

People born in the Year of the Sheep are idealistic, nurturing, sensitive, elegant, and kind. Sheep are also quietly persuasive and tend to hold their emotions. They are passionate about the arts and life in general, and always follow through with what they believe in. 2023 will bring its share of challenges for Sheep. Fortunately, Sheep are resilient. They struggled through 2021 and were able to reap the benefits of overcoming tough obstacles throughout 2022. At the start of this year, Sheep will learn to rely on their own inner strength and grit as they navigate a few hurdles. With persistence and discipline, Sheep will move past these challenges gracefully, with a greater sense of awareness, and an eye toward peacefulness in the second half of 2023.

 

Monkey:

1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016

Clever, scheming, and playful, people born in the Year of the Monkey like to buck the system. Their inquisitive, fun-loving and adaptable nature—paired with their engaging personality—helped Monkeys through some difficult times last year. Monkeys are remarkably inventive and have the ability to solve the most difficult problems with ease. Monkeys are successful in most, if not all, of their chosen ventures, but they have a discerning habit of being too agreeable. Their impatience can leave them feeling discouraged and can cause them to abandon their projects. While strong-willed, they are quick to cool down and move past the issue at hand. Rabbit’s kind and gentle nature will be beneficial for Monkeys this year. Approaching a situation with patience will be a key factor to their personal growth. With friends and family cheering them on, Monkeys can look forward to success in every aspect of their lives this year.

 

Rooster:

1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

People born in the Year of the Rooster are reliable, honest, passionate, precise, efficient, and most notably, hardworking. These deep thinkers are capable and talented, and like to be kept busy at all times. Although they outwardly appear adventurous, Roosters are timid at heart, and often have a hard time maintaining quality relationships. Rooster emotions—and finances—swing from very high to very low. Roosters can be outspoken and appear selfish, but they always bring an interesting viewpoint. When they argue their position, they are most always correct. Rooster’s positive character traits will come in handy as Roosters come face-to-face with some challenges this year. Rabbit pushes Rooster to prioritize responsibilities, become more team-oriented, and courageously face fears. Roosters will learn the importance of delving inward, and will learn to lean on meditation and self-reflection.

Dog:

1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature, making them strong and efficient leaders that others admire greatly. Dogs are honest, empathetic, protective, affectionate and resourceful. They have a deep sense of loyalty and inspire confidence in others. But Dogs are also selfish, stubborn, eccentric, and impetuous. They don’t care much about finances, but they always seem to be financially stable. This year, Rabbit will help its friend Dog navigate many twists and turns and ups and downs. Dogs like to walk new paths, and will learn to step out of their comfort zone in 2023, leading to a year full of adventure.

 

Pig:

1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

People born in the Year of the Pig are kind, honest, patient, generous, loyal, sociable, clever, and enduring. They take on projects with tremendous fortitude, honesty, and loyalty. Pigs have a small circle of friends, but these friends will stay beside them for life. With their great thirst for knowledge, Pigs are studious and well-informed. Still, Pigs do not like to debate and shy away from arguments. While Pigs have an impulsive side, they always try their best to work out a problem quickly and efficiently, keeping kindness at the forefront. This year will bring many surprises for Pigs—most of them pleasant—leading to a state of balance and peace. Pigs will again find that all major decisions they make in 2023 will come with a dose of good luck!

 

January or February Birthdays

Chinese New Year falls between January 21st – February 20th each year. If your birthday falls in January or February, check the exact dates below to determine your animal sign. The listings below also detail the sign as it relates to one of the five elements in Nature: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. Your element adds further meaning to your zodiac sign.

 

OX

January 24, 1925 to February 12, 1926 (wood)
February 11, 1937 to January 30, 1938 (fire)
January 29, 1949 to February 16, 1950 (earth)
February 15, 1961 to February 4, 1962 (metal)
February 3, 1973 to January 22, 1974 (water)
February 20, 1985 to February 8, 1986 (wood)
February 7, 1997 to January 27, 1998 (fire)
January 26, 2009 to February 13, 2010 (earth)
February 12, 2021 to January 31, 2022 (metal)

TIGER

January 25, 1914 to February 12, 1915 (wood)
February 13, 1926 to February 1, 1927 (fire)
January 31, 1938 to February 18, 1939 (earth)
February 17, 1950 to February 5, 1951 (metal)
February 5, 1962 to January 24, 1963 (water)
January 23, 1974 to February 10, 1975 (wood)
February 9, 1986 to January 28, 1987 (fire)
January 28, 1998 to February 15, 1999 (earth)
February 14, 2010 to February 2, 2011 (metal)

February 1, 2022 to January 21, 2023 (water)

 

RABBIT

February 13, 1915 to February 2, 1916 (wood)
February 2, 1927 to January 22, 1928 (fire)
February 19, 1939 to February 7, 1940 (earth)
February 1951 to January 26, 1952 (metal)
January 25, 1963 to February 12, 1964 (water)
February 11, 1975 to January 30, 1976 (wood)
January 29, 1987 to February 16, 1988 (fire)
February 16, 1999 to February 4, 2000 (earth)
February 3, 2011 to January 22, 2012 (metal)

January 22, 2023 to February 9, 2024 (water)

DRAGON

February 3, 1916 to January 22, 1917 (fire)
January 23, 1928 to February 9, 1929 (earth)
February 8, 1940 to January 26, 1941 (metal)
January 27, 1952 to February 13, 1953 (water)
February 13, 1964 to February 1, 1965 (wood)
January 31, 1976 to February 17, 1977 (fire)
February 17, 1988 to February 5, 1989 (earth)
February 5, 2000 to January 23, 2001 (metal)
January 23, 2012 to February 9, 2013 (water)

 

SNAKE

January 23, 1917 to February 10, 1918 (fire)
February 10, 1929 to January 29, 1930 (earth)
January 27, 1941 to February 14, 1942 (metal)
February 14, 1953 to February 2, 1954 (water)
February 2, 1965 to January 20, 1966 (wood)
February 18, 1977 to February 6, 1978 (fire)
February 6, 1989 to January 26 1990 (earth)
January 24, 2001 to February 11, 2002 (metal)
February 10, 2013 to January 30, 2014 (water)

HORSE

February 11, 1918 to January 31, 1919 (earth)
January 30, 1930 to February 16, 1931 (metal)
February 15, 1942 to February 4, 1943 (water)
February 3, 1954 to January 23, 1955 (wood)
January 21, 1966 to February 8, 1967 (fire)
February 7, 1978 to January 27, 1979 (earth)
January 27, 1990 to February 14, 1991 (metal)
February 12, 2002 to January 31, 2003 (water)
January 31, 2014 to February 18, 2015 (wood)

SHEEP

February 1, 1919 to February 19, 1920 (earth)
February 17, 1931 to February 5, 1932 (metal)
February 5, 1943 to January 24, 1944 (water)
January 24, 1955 to February 11, 1956 (wood)
February 9, 1967 to January 29, 1968 (fire)
January 28, 1979 to February 15, 1980 (earth)
February 15, 1991 to February 3, 1992 (metal)
February 1, 2003 to January 21, 2004 (water)
February 19, 2015 to February 7, 2016 (wood)

MONKEY

February 20, 1920 to February 7, 1921 (metal)
February 6, 1932 to January 25, 1933 (water)
January 25, 1944 to February 12, 1945 (wood)
February 12, 1956 to January 30, 1957 (fire)
January 30, 1968 to February 16, 1969 (earth)
February 16, 1980 to February 4, 1981 (metal)
February 4, 1992 to January 22, 1993 (water)
January 22, 2004 to February 8, 2005 (wood)
February 8, 2016 to January 27, 2017 (fire)

ROOSTER

February 8, 1921 to January 27, 1922 (metal)
January 26, 1933 to February 13, 1934 (water)
February 13, 1945 to February 1, 1946 (wood)
January 31, 1957 to February 17, 1958 (fire)
February 17, 1969 to February 5, 1970 (earth)
February 5, 1981 to January 24, 1982 (metal)
January 23, 1993 to February 9, 1994 (water)
February 9, 2005 to January 28, 2006 (wood)
January 28, 2017 to February 15, 2018 (fire)

DOG

January 28, 1922 to February 15, 1923 (water)
February 14, 1934 to February 3, 1935 (wood)
February 2, 1946 to January 21, 1947 (fire)
February 18, 1958 to February 7, 1959 (earth)
February 6, 1970 to January 26, 1971 (metal)
January 25, 1982 to February 12, 1983 (water)
February 10, 1994 to January 30, 1995 (wood)
January 29, 2006 to February 17, 2007 (fire)
February 16, 2018 to February 4, 2019 (earth)

PIG

February 16, 1923 to February 4, 1924 (water)
February 4, 1935 to January 23, 1936 (wood)
January 22, 1947 to February 9, 1948 (fire)
February 8, 1959 to January 27, 1960 (earth)
January 27, 1971 to February 14, 1972 (metal)
February 13, 1983 to February 1, 1984 (water)
January 31, 1994 to February 18, 1996 (wood)
February 18, 2007 to February 6, 2008 (fire)
February 5, 2019 to January 24, 2020 (earth)

 

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