Quick answer: The Rooster (鸡 jī) is the tenth animal in the twelve animal Chinese zodiac cycle, known in tradition for diligence, honesty and a sharp eye. Recent Rooster years were 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 and 2017, and the next begins February 13, 2029. Each Rooster year also carries one of the five elements, so a 1981 Rooster is a Metal Rooster and a 2029 Rooster will be an Earth Rooster.
Quick answer: The Pig (猪 zhū) is the twelfth and final animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle, and in Chinese tradition it's linked with abundance, generosity and an open heart. Recent Pig years were 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019, and the next begins January 23, 2031.
Quick answer: The Tiger (虎 hǔ) is the third of the twelve animals in Shēngxiào (生肖), the Chinese zodiac, and belongs to the Earthly Branch 寅 (yín). Tiger years include 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 and 2022, and each one begins at Lunar New Year, not January 1. Every Tiger year also carries one of the five elements, so 2022 was a Water Tiger year. Tradition links the Tiger with courage, warmth and bold energy.
Quick answer: The Ox (牛 niú) is the second of the twelve animals in Shēngxiào (生肖), the Chinese zodiac, and belongs to the Earthly Branch 丑 (chǒu). Ox years include 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 and 2021, and each one begins at Lunar New Year, not January 1. Every Ox year also carries one of the five elements, so 2021 was a Metal Ox year. Tradition links the Ox with patience, steadiness and quiet strength.
Quick answer: The Horse, 马 (mǎ), is the seventh of the twelve animals in Chinese astrology. Horse years include 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and 2026, and the current Horse year runs from February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027. Each Horse year also carries one of five elements, and 2026 is a Fire Horse year, 丙午 (bǐngwǔ), which comes around only once every 60 years.
Quick answer: The Goat, 羊 (yáng), is the eighth of the twelve animals in Chinese astrology, and the same word covers the goat, the sheep and the ram. Recent Goat years are 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 and 2015, and the next one begins February 6, 2027. Each Goat year also carries one of five elements, so a 1967 Goat is a Fire Goat and a 1979 Goat is an Earth Goat.
Quick answer: The Chinese zodiac and Western astrology are two separate traditions that measure different things. The Chinese zodiac follows a lunisolar calendar and gives each year an animal and one of five elements, in a 60 year cycle. Western astrology follows the sun through twelve signs over a single year, so your sun sign depends on your birth month. Your year animal is not a version of your sun sign.
Quick answer: The Chinese zodiac elements are the five phases of Wǔxíng (五行): Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each year takes its element from its Heavenly Stem, and you can find it from the last digit of the year: 0 or 1 is Metal, 2 or 3 is Water, 4 or 5 is Wood, 6 or 7 is Fire, and 8 or 9 is Earth. Even digits are yang years and odd digits are yin years.
Quick answer: Chinese astrology is a system rooted in the traditional Chinese calendar that reads character and timing through twelve animals, five elements and the balance of yin and yang. Your animal comes from your birth year, counted from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. Each year also carries an element, so 2026 is a Fire Horse year and 2027 is a Fire Goat year.
Quick answer: Seven planets spend time retrograde in October 2026: Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Pluto, Uranus, Neptune and Chiron. They aren't all retrograde at the same time, though. Pluto turns direct on October 15, and Mercury doesn't turn retrograde until October 24. The most you'll see at once is six. The big story is Venus, which goes retrograde October 3 and stays that way until November 13.