中国星座

CHINESE HOROSCOPE

Chinese zodiac and Zodiac Element Combinations (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water)

In Chinese astrology, the 12 Chinese zodiac signs—Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig—form a repeating twelve-year zodiac cycle that plays a major role in traditional Chinese culture and horoscope readings. Each zodiac animal represents an entire lunar year, unlike the Western zodiac, where each sign corresponds to a month-long period. Because the system is tied to the lunar calendar, the Chinese zodiac year begins on Chinese New Year, which usually falls between late January and mid-February, rather than on January 1st.

Every animal sign in the Chinese zodiac is believed to carry unique personality traits, compatibility patterns, and symbolic meanings. As the cycle repeats every twelve years, people often refer to their Chinese zodiac birth sign to understand character tendencies, forecast luck, and explore relationships. The Chinese zodiac is also widely used in Feng Shui, fortune-telling, and major cultural events such as the Lunar New Year.

Understanding the Chinese zodiac cycle is essential for interpreting Chinese horoscopes, identifying zodiac element combinations (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), and learning how each year’s animal sign influences daily life, career, health, and relationships. Whether you're exploring your birth year animal or looking for zodiac compatibility insights, the twelve zodiac signs remain a central part of Chinese astrology and continue to shape traditions throughout East Asia and beyond.

Calculating Your Zodiac Animal and Element Combination

After understanding the importance of the zodiac cycle and the role of the Five Elements in Chinese astrology, many people are interested in determining the exact combination of their birth year’s zodiac animal and element. The calculation is straightforward and can be done using a simple method based on the heavenly stems and earthly branches, which together form the 60-year sexagenary cycle.

To calculate your zodiac animal, take your birth year and use the twelve-year cycle formula. To find the corresponding element, use the ten heavenly stems, each of which represents one of the five elements and repeats twice. By combining the results, you can identify your precise zodiac-element pairing, such as a Metal Horse or a Wood Dragon.

This method allows you to explore the nuanced influence of both the zodiac animal and its element on personality, compatibility, and yearly fortune, giving a more complete understanding of your place within the Chinese astrological system.

Can I Calculate My Chinese Zodiac Sign?

In short, yes you can!

The super cool thing about this is not many people know how to do this or that it even exists so let’s show you what needs to be done in order to achieve the result.

1. Calculate your zodiac animal (Earthly Branch):
Use the formula: (Birth Year - 4) mod 12
Use this table, you’ll be needing it very shortly:

0: Rat	1: Ox	2: Tiger	3: Rabbit
4: Dragon	5: Snake	6: Horse	7: Goat
8: Monkey	9: Rooster	10: Dog	11: Pig

2. Calculate your element (Heavenly Stem → Five Elements):
Use the formula: (Birth Year - 4) mod 10
Use this table, you'll be needing it very shortly:

0: Wood	1: Wood	2: Fire	3: Fire
4: Earth	5: Earth	6: Metal	7: Metal
8: Water	9: Water

Now, Let’s figure out the zodiac for someone born in 1990.
First, calculate the zodiac animal using the formula: (1990 – 4) mod 12 = 1986 mod 12 = 6. Check the table, and number 6 is Horse.
Next, calculate the element using the formula: (1990 – 4) mod 10 = 1986 mod 10 = 6. Look at the element table, number 6 is Metal.
IT WORKED! So people born in 1990 are Metal Horses.

Still don’t believe our Chinese Zodiac Calculation?
Let’s try another one. How about our babies from 2001.

STEP 1: (2001 - 4) mod 12 = 1997 mod 12 = 5
STEP 2: Check the zodiac table → 5 = SNAKE
STEP 3: (2001 - 4) mod 10 = 1997 mod 10 = 7
STEP 4: Check the element table → 7 = METAL
Final Result: Metal Snake - it worked again! How cool is that?! And that, my friends, is how to calculate your Chinese Zodiac Animal yourself, within a minute!
Of course, you can use the zodiac calculator on the right side of the article to quickly calculate your Chinese zodiac animal.

Chinese zodiac (FAQ)

The 12 Chinese zodiac signs are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These animals form a repeating twelve-year cycle used in Chinese astrology.

Each zodiac animal represents a full lunar year. After the Pig year ends, the cycle restarts with the Rat. This creates a continuous twelve-year rotation of zodiac signs.

The Chinese zodiac year begins on Chinese New Year, which usually falls between late January and mid-February based on the lunar calendar.

The Chinese zodiac assigns one sign per year, while the Western zodiac assigns one sign per month. The Chinese system also incorporates elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) that affect personality and luck.

Your Chinese zodiac sign is based on your birth year, but you must check the exact Chinese New Year date because it changes each year. Those born in January or early February may belong to the previous sign.