Enter your birth year above to find your Chinese Zodiac sign.
function calculateZodiac() {
var birthYearInput = document.getElementById("birthYear");
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var birthYear = parseInt(birthYearInput.value);
resultDiv.classList.remove("error");
if (isNaN(birthYear) || birthYear < 1) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive birth year.";
resultDiv.classList.add("error");
return;
}
var zodiacAnimals = ["Rat", "Ox", "Tiger", "Rabbit", "Dragon", "Snake", "Horse", "Goat", "Monkey", "Rooster", "Dog", "Pig"];
// The Chinese zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years.
// The year 1900 is a Rat year.
// We calculate the offset from 1900 and use modulo 12 to find the index.
var index = (birthYear – 1900) % 12;
// Adjust for negative results if birthYear is less than 1900 but still valid
if (index < 0) {
index += 12;
}
var zodiacSign = zodiacAnimals[index];
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Your Chinese Zodiac sign is: " + zodiacSign + "";
}
Understanding the Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao (生肖), is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year represented by an animal and its reputed attributes. Originating from ancient Chinese astronomy and astrology, it plays a significant role in Chinese culture, influencing personality traits, compatibility, and fortune.
The 12 Zodiac Animals
The 12 animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep/Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig (or Boar). Each animal is associated with specific characteristics:
Your Chinese Zodiac sign is determined by your birth year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Unlike the Western zodiac, which is based on the month of birth, the Chinese zodiac assigns an animal to an entire year. The cycle begins anew every 12 years. For example, if you were born in 1984, 1996, 2008, or 2020, your sign is the Rat.
It's important to note that the Chinese New Year typically falls between late January and mid-February. If you were born in January or early February, your zodiac sign might be that of the previous year's animal. For instance, if you were born on January 15, 1990, your sign would be the Snake (the animal for 1989), not the Horse (the animal for 1990), because the Chinese New Year for 1990 fell on January 27.
Using the Calculator
To find your Chinese Zodiac sign, simply enter your birth year into the "Your Birth Year" field and click the "Calculate Zodiac Sign" button. The calculator will instantly display your corresponding animal sign. This tool uses a standard calculation based on the Gregorian calendar year, assuming the Chinese New Year has already passed for the given year. For precise results for those born in January or early February, you may need to consult a Chinese calendar for the exact New Year date of your birth year.
Example:
Let's say you were born in 1990. You would enter "1990" into the input field. The calculator would then determine that your Chinese Zodiac sign is the Horse.
If you were born in 1988, your sign would be the Dragon.
Discover your animal and explore the fascinating world of Chinese astrology!