The Chinese Zodiac, also known as Shengxiao, is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and has been a significant part of the country’s historical mythology for over 2000 years. Far from being a simple cycle of 12 animals, each zodiac sign is also closely associated with one of Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
The Chinese Zodiac Elements are not just symbols; they represent distinct characteristics and traits that shape an individual’s personality and destiny. For instance, a person born in the Year of the Rat with an element of Fire might exhibit qualities of passion, courage and assertiveness, while a Metal Horse might be known for their tenacity, determination, and practicality.
The elements, combined with the sign of the zodiac, provide a detailed and fascinating framework for understanding oneself and others. They influence our strengths, weaknesses, values, and behaviors, creating a complex tapestry that provides insight into our lives and relationships.
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Sexagenary Cycle – The 60-Year Cycle
In addition to the 12-year cycle, there is also a 60-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac that combines the 12 animals with the five elements. This cycle is used for predicting major events and trends in society.
The 60-Year Cycle isn’t just a chronological measure; it’s also an intricate, multidimensional cosmic dance that reflects the ebb and flow of life itself.
Unravel the mysteries of time with the fascinating 60-Year Cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. This ancient system elegantly intertwines the 12 earthly branches, representing the animal signs, with the 10 heavenly stems, reflecting the five elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element is associated with a pair of animals, creating a unique, repeating cycle of 60 combinations.
How to Find the Element of Your Year of Birth
To find your Chinese zodiac element, it’s determined by your birth year, particularly the last digit.
- Metal: Birth years ending in 0 or 1
- Water: Birth years ending in 2 or 3
- Wood: Birth years ending in 4 or 5
- Fire: Birth years ending in 6 or 7
- Earth: Birth years ending in 8 or 9
Years 1960 – 1971 Chinese Zodiac Signs and Elements
| The Year | Birth Date | Zodiac Element |
| 1960 | From January 28, 1960 to February 14, 1961 | Metal Rat |
| 1961 | From February 15, 1961 to February 4, 1962 | Metal Ox |
| 1962 | From February 5, 1962 to January 24, 1963 | Water Tiger |
| 1963 | From January 25, 1963 to February 12, 1964 | Water Rabbit |
| 1964 | From February 14, 1964 to February 1 , 1965 | Wood Dragon |
| 1965 | From February 2, 1965 to January 20, 1966 | Wood Snake |
| 1966 | From January 21, 1966 to February 8, 1967 | Fire Horse |
| 1967 | From February 9, 1967 to January 30, 1968 | Fire Goat |
| 1968 | From January 30, 1968 to February 16, 1969 | Earth Monkey |
| 1969 | From February 17, 1969 to February 5, 1970 | Earth Rooster |
| 1970 | From February 6, 1970 to January 26, 1971 | Metal Dog |
| 1971 | From January 27, 1971 to February 14, 1972 | Metal Pig |
Years 1972 – 1983 Chinese Zodiac Signs and Elements
| The Year | Birth Date | Zodiac Element |
| 1972 | From February 15, 1972 to February 2, 1973 | Water Rat |
| 1973 | From February 3, 1973 to January 22, 1974 | Water Ox |
| 1974 | From January 23, 1974 to February 10, 1975 | Wood Tiger |
| 1975 | From February 11, 1975 to January 30, 1976 | Wood Rabbit |
| 1976 | From January 31, 1976 to February 17, 1977 | Fire Dragon |
| 1977 | From February 18, 1977 to February 6, 1978 | Fire Snake |
| 1978 | From February 7, 1978 to January 27, 1979 | Earth Horse |
| 1979 | From January 28, 1979 to February 15, 1980 | Earth Goat |
| 1980 | From February 16, 1980 to February 4, 1981 | Metal Monkey |
| 1981 | From February 5, 1981 to January 24, 1982 | Metal Rooster |
| 1982 | From January 25, 1982 to February 12, 1983 | Water Dog |
| 1983 | From February 13, 1983 to February 1, 1984 | Water Pig |
Years 1984 – 1995 Chinese Zodiac Signs and Elements
| The Year | Birth Date | Zodiac Element |
| 1984 | From February 2, 1984 to February 19, 1985 | Wood Rat |
| 1985 | From February 19, 1985 to February 8, 1986 | Wood Ox |
| 1986 | From February 9, 1986 to January 28, 1987 | Fire Tiger |
| 1987 | From January 29, 1987 to February 16, 1988 | Fire Rabbit |
| 1988 | From February 17, 1988 to February 5, 1989 | Earth Dragon |
| 1989 | From February 6, 1989 to January 26, 1990 | Earth Snake |
| 1990 | From January 27, 1990 to February 14, 1991 | Metal Horse |
| 1991 | From February 15, 1991 to February 3, 1992 | Metal Goat |
| 1992 | From February 4, 1992 to January 22, 1993 | Water Monkey |
| 1993 | From January 23, 1993 to February 9, 1994 | Water Rooster |
| 1994 | From February 10, 1994 to January 30, 1995 | Wood Dog |
| 1995 | From January 30, 1995 to February 18, 1996 | Wood Pig |
Years 1996 – 2007 Chinese Zodiac Signs and Elements
| The Year | Birth Date | Zodiac Element |
| 1996 | From February 19, 1996 to February 6, 1997 | Fire Rat |
| 1997 | From February 7, 1997 to January 27, 1998 | Fire Ox |
| 1998 | From January 28, 1998 to February 15, 1999 | Earth Tiger |
| 1999 | From February 16, 1999 to February 4, 2000 | Earth Rabbit |
| 2000 | From February 5, 2000 to January 23, 2001 | Metal Dragon |
| 2001 | From January 24, 2001 to February 11, 2002 | Metal Snake |
| 2002 | From February 12, 2002 to February 18, 2003 | Water Horse |
| 2003 | From February 1, 2003 to January 21, 2004 | Water Goat |
| 2004 | From January 22, 2004 to February 8, 2005 | Wood Monkey |
| 2005 | From February 9, 2005 to January 28, 2006 | Wood Rooster |
| 2006 | From January 29, 2006 to February 17, 2007 | Fire Dog |
| 2007 | From February 17, 2007 to February 6, 2008 | Fire Pig |
Years 2008 – 2019 Chinese Zodiac Signs and Elements
| The Year | Birth Date | Zodiac Element |
| 2008 | From February 7, 2008 to January 25, 2009 | Earth Rat |
| 2009 | From January 26, 2009 to February 13, 2010 | Earth Ox |
| 2010 | From February 14, 2010 to February 2, 2011 | Metal Tiger |
| 2011 | From February 3, 2011 to January 22, 2012 | Metal Rabbit |
| 2012 | From January 23, 2012 to February 9, 2013 | Water Dragon |
| 2013 | From February 10, 2013 to January 30, 2014 | Water Snake |
| 2014 | From January 31, 2014 to February 18, 2015 | Wood Horse |
| 2015 | From February 19, 2015 to February 7, 2016 | Wood Goat |
| 2016 | From February 8, 2016 to January 27, 2017 | Fire Monkey |
| 2017 | From January 28, 2017 to February 15, 2018 | Fire Rooster |
| 2018 | From February 16, 2018 to February 4, 2019 | Earth Dog |
| 2019 | From February 4, 2019 to January 24, 2020 | Earth Pig |
Years 2020 – 2031 Chinese Zodiac Signs and Elements
| The Year | Birth Date | Zodiac Element |
| 2020 | From January 25, 2020 to February 11, 2021 | Metal Rat |
| 2021 | From February 12, 2021 to January 31, 2022 | Metal Ox |
| 2022 | From February 1 , 2022 to January 21, 2023 | Water Tiger |
| 2023 | From January 22, 2023 to February 9, 2024 | Water Rabbit |
| 2024 | From February 10, 2024 to January 28, 2025 | Wood Dragon |
| 2025 | From January 29, 2025 to February 16, 2026 | Wood Snake |
| 2026 | From February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027 | Fire Horse |
| 2027 | From February 6, 2027 to January 25, 2028 | Fire Goat |
| 2028 | From January 26, 2028 to February 12, 2029 | Earth Monkey |
| 2029 | From February 13, 2029 to February 2, 2030 | Earth Rooster |
| 2030 | From February 3, 2030 to January 22, 2031 | Metal Dog |
| 2031 | From January 22, 2031 to February 10, 2032 | Metal Pig |