Question 1

How does the Chinese zodiac work?

Accepted Answer

The Chinese zodiac is a repeating 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Your animal is determined by your birth year. Additionally, each year is associated with one of five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), creating a 60-year grand cycle.

Question 2

Does it matter if I was born in January or February?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20 each year. If you were born in January or early February, your Chinese zodiac animal might actually be from the previous year. Check the exact Chinese New Year date for your birth year to be sure.

Question 3

What is the element cycle in the Chinese zodiac?

Accepted Answer

The five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — rotate in pairs of years. For example, 2024 and 2025 are both Wood years. Combined with the 12 animals, this creates a 60-year cycle where each unique animal-element combination appears once.

Question 4

How is Chinese zodiac compatibility determined?

Accepted Answer

Compatibility is based on traditional groupings. Animals in the same 'compatibility triangle' (groups of three separated by four years) get along best. Some pairs are considered natural conflicts — typically animals that are six years apart in the cycle.

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