Shēngxiào is the Chinese Zodiac.

Observed in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, it shows respect for 12 different animals. Each year is represented by an animal which gets repeated every 12 years.

The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle for animals and a 10-year cycle for the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), which combine to create a 60-year cycle. Therefore, the same animal-element combination repeats only after 60 years. Also, the 2-year element shift changes the energy of the corresponding animal and its characteristics.

Distinct animal characteristics are imparted during the year governed by the animals and elements:

Lunar Months in each year are also governed by animals:

Serving as a guide for over 3,000 years, the Chinese zodiac continues to shape cultural traditions in China and East Asia today, from festivities to daily decisions.

Each zodiac animal repeats a 12-year cycle, and it’s believed that every person inherits the animal's personality trait for the year they were born. As the famed Chinese proverb goes, this is the animal that hides in your heart, so discover your zodiac animal and explore your shared character traits. The Year of the Horse which began on 17 February 2026, and ends on 5 February 2027, is defined by speed, energy and momentum. It traditionally brings rapid change, fresh opportunities, and bold forward progress, encouraging independence and the taking of decisive actions to gain goals.

This Year of the Fire Horse combines the horse’s freedom-loving nature with fiery energy signifying rapid change for transformation that benefits horses – but only if humans boycott all events and shows involving horses. Unfortunately, they are exploited for very many equestrian events such as horse racing, polo, joy-rides, pulling carriages, rodeo, show jumping, endurance riding, reining, dressage, and more.

We need to respect the positive characteristics of the animals and not exploit or kill them. After all, as per the Chinese zodiac, humans are emulating animal qualities.

The Tibetan lunar calendar uses the same 12 animals for each year too, but there are other differences between it and the Chinese lunar-solar calendar.