Chinese Zodiac Animal & Element Calculator
Identifies both the Chinese Zodiac animal and its associated element for your birth year, helping you understand basic personality and luck patterns.
What is the Chinese Zodiac?
The Chinese Zodiac (生肖 Shēngxiào) is a 12-year cycle where each year is represented by a different animal: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Unlike Western astrology which is based on months, the Chinese Zodiac is based on your birth year.
Each animal has unique personality traits and characteristics. But the Chinese Zodiac system goes deeper - each animal is also associated with one of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and has a Yin or Yang polarity. This combination creates 60 unique possibilities (12 animals × 5 elements), making your zodiac sign more specific and personalized.
The 12 Animals
Each year in the 12-year cycle is represented by one of 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Your birth year determines which animal represents you.
The Five Elements
Each zodiac year is also associated with one of the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. These elements add another layer of meaning to your zodiac sign, influencing your personality and luck patterns.
Fun Fact
The Chinese Zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years, but because each year also has an element, the full cycle (combining animals and elements) takes 60 years to complete. This is called the Sexagenary Cycle (干支 Gānzhī). So if you're born in a "Wood Rat" year, the next "Wood Rat" year won't come for another 60 years!
Understanding the Five Elements
The Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) are fundamental to Chinese philosophy and astrology. Each element has its own characteristics and influences your personality, behavior, and life patterns.
Wood (木)
Wood represents growth, creativity, and flexibility. People with Wood element are often innovative, ambitious, and adaptable. They're like trees - they grow upward and outward, always seeking new opportunities.
Fire (火)
Fire represents passion, energy, and enthusiasm. People with Fire element are often dynamic, expressive, and charismatic. They light up any room and inspire others with their energy.
Earth (土)
Earth represents stability, reliability, and practicality. People with Earth element are often grounded, patient, and trustworthy. They provide a solid foundation for others and value security.
Metal (金)
Metal represents strength, determination, and precision. People with Metal element are often disciplined, focused, and organized. They're like refined metal - strong, valuable, and well-structured.
Water (水)
Water represents wisdom, adaptability, and flow. People with Water element are often intuitive, flexible, and resourceful. They flow around obstacles and adapt to any situation.
Yin & Yang
Each element comes in both Yin and Yang forms. Yang is active, outward, and masculine energy. Yin is receptive, inward, and feminine energy. This polarity adds another dimension to your zodiac sign's meaning.
How Can You Use This?
- Understand your basic personality traits and natural tendencies
- Learn about your compatibility with others based on elements
- Discover which years might be favorable or challenging for you
- Gain insight into your strengths and areas for growth