The Chinese zodiac is a classification scheme that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. The 12-year cycle is an approximation to the 11.85-year orbital period of Jupiter. Based in China, the zodiac and its variations remain popular in many Asian countries and regions, such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam , Cambodia and Thailand. Chinese zodiac animals have lucky meanings. Chinese people associate each animal with certain characteristics.
It’s believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year’s animal. Click the animal signs below to learn more about each zodiac animal. Like so many ancient traditions, the origin stories of the Chinese zodiac vary. Some say that the Buddha (or Jade Emperor) called on all animals to help mankind and only 12 responded. Others say that a Great Race was held to determine which animals would be placed in the zodiac for eternity. This guide is based on the ancient origin story of the Great Race, which determined each animal’s position in the zodiac.