The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle in which each year is represented by an animal. Your animal sign is based on the year you were born and is said to shape your personality, relationships and luck. Lunar New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February, marking the start of the Year of the Goat. Here's how to find your sign and what it says about you.
As with all astrology, the Chinese zodiac is for fun and cultural interest rather than prediction.
Find your Chinese zodiac animal
The Chinese year starts at Lunar New Year (late January or February), not on 1 January. If you were born in January or early February, check the exact date of Lunar New Year in your birth year.
| Animal | Recent years |
|---|---|
| Rat | 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| Ox | 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| Tiger | 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 |
| Rabbit | 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 |
| Dragon | 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 |
| Snake | 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 |
| Horse | 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 |
| Goat | 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 |
| Monkey | 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 |
| Rooster | 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 |
| Dog | 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 |
| Pig | 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 |
The 12 animals and their traits
- Rat: clever, quick-witted and resourceful. Great at spotting opportunities.
- Ox: dependable, patient and hard-working. Steady and trustworthy.
- Tiger: brave, confident and charismatic. Natural leaders who love a challenge.
- Rabbit: gentle, kind and elegant. Peacemakers with good taste.
- Dragon: ambitious, energetic and lucky. The most celebrated sign in the zodiac.
- Snake: wise, intuitive and private. Thoughtful decision-makers.
- Horse: free-spirited, lively and sociable. Happiest on the move.
- Goat: creative, calm and compassionate. Artistic souls who value harmony.
- Monkey: playful, inventive and curious. Brilliant problem-solvers.
- Rooster: confident, organised and honest. Hard-working perfectionists.
- Dog: loyal, fair and protective. Faithful friends for life.
- Pig: generous, warm-hearted and easy-going. They enjoy life's pleasures.
The five elements
Each year also has one of five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal or water — which combine with the animal to create a 60-year cycle. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, and 2027 is the Year of the Fire Goat.
The Year of the Goat 2027
The Goat (sometimes called the Sheep or Ram) is associated with creativity, kindness and calm. In Chinese tradition, Goat years are seen as a good time for:
- creative projects and learning new skills;
- looking after family, home and health;
- resolving conflicts and rebuilding relationships;
- slowing down after the restless energy of a Horse year.
People born in Goat years (1991, 2003, 2015 and 2027) are said to be gentle, artistic and empathetic, though they can also be indecisive and sensitive to criticism.
Chinese zodiac compatibility
Traditionally, signs that sit four years apart are considered highly compatible, forming four "triangles of affinity":
- Rat, Dragon and Monkey — ambitious and energetic.
- Ox, Snake and Rooster — hard-working and thoughtful.
- Tiger, Horse and Dog — passionate and loyal.
- Rabbit, Goat and Pig — gentle and caring.
How Lunar New Year is celebrated in the UK
Lunar New Year is celebrated across the UK, with the biggest events in London's Chinatown and Trafalgar Square, as well as Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Newcastle. Expect lion dances, lanterns, firecrackers and food stalls. Traditional gifts include red envelopes (hongbao) containing money, oranges for good fortune and sweets for a sweet year ahead.
Curious about Western astrology too? Read about Aries, check your star sign compatibility or browse all our horoscopes.
