Pulling rabbits out of hats

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Published 6 Dec 2012

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Chinese zodiac calendar showing the 12 zodiac animals, their personality traits, and zodiac years from 2025 to 2036, with 2026 marked as the Year of the Horse and early-2026 births belonging to the Year of the Snake

Chinese Zodiac 2026: Year of the Horse, Animals, Years, and Meanings

The ring-segment illusion

Chinese Zodiac 2026: What Animal Year Is It? The Chinese zodiac year for 2026 is the Year of the Horse. People born in January and early February 2026 are still born in the Year of the Snake. The Chinese Zodiac is a repeating 12-year cycle of animals, with each year linked to a specific animal, forming the Chinese zodiac years and their traditional personality traits. The animals are those who took part in the Jade Emperor's Great Race. Chinese New Year marks the start of a new Chinese zodiac year, which is why the Chinese zodiac sign for 2026 changes in February rather than January. The Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon—lunisolar—meaning the New Year shifts slightly each year. Also known as the Spring Festival, the New Year marks the shift between Winter and Spring. It begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February, typically falling between late January and mid-February. Celebrations continue until the Lantern Festival, 15 days later. Chinese Zodiac Animals and Personality Traits Each Chinese zodiac sign is thought to shape the personality of those born in that year. If you were born in the Year of the Rat, you might be quick-witted and charming, while those born in the Year of the Dragon are often confident and enthusiastic. I always forget the full list of Chinese New Year animals—it's one of those things that's beyond 7 ± 2 and just won't stick in my head. So here it is, for future reference: Rat — Charming, Quick-witted Ox — Patient, Determined Tiger — Brave, Competitive Rabbit — Gentle, Compassionate Dragon — Confident, Enthusiastic Snake — Wise, Intuitive Horse — Energetic, Independent Goat (Sheep) — Calm, Creative Monkey — Witty, Curious Rooster — Hardworking, Observant Dog — Loyal, Honest Pig — Generous, Diligent The Legend of the Great Race: Why These 12 Animals? The Chinese zodiac animals are from an old legend: the Great Race. The Jade Emperor, Chinese mythology's ruler of all gods, hosted a great race across a river. The first 12 animals to finish would earn a place in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Cat and Rat, who were friends, hitched a ride on the back of Ox, who slowly swam through the river's deep water. As they crossed, Rat moved, knocking Cat into the river, but it was too dangerous to go back. As Ox neared the other bank, Rat jumped off, swimming the final metres and winning first place. Meanwhile, Dragon, despite being powerful, stopped to help others and finished fifth. Cat was left behind and finished last with a new dislike for rats. Variations in Other Countries Not all countries use the exact same Chinese zodiac signs. Vietnam, for example, swaps out two animals: The Rabbit is replaced by the Cat The Ox is replaced by the Water Buffalo Chinese New Year Symbols and Traditions Chinese New Year is full of traditions designed to bring good fortune: Red envelopes (hóngbāo) – Given to children and unmarried adults, filled with money as a symbol of luck and prosperity. Lanterns – Hung up or released into the sky, symbolizing brightness and good fortune. Firecrackers – Set off to scare away evil spirits and welcome the Lunar New Year with a bang. Red and gold – The most common colours in Chinese New Year decorations, representing happiness, wealth, and good luck. Other beliefs and traditions include: washing your hair can wash out your luck for the year giving oranges and tangerines to hosts as symbols of abundant happiness sweeping and cleaning the house to sweep away ill fortune decorating windows and doors with red paint, paper cutouts and banners giving respect and honour to gods and ancestors. Chinese Zodiac List from 2026 to 1945 Not sure of your animal or your child's? You can find yours in this list (unless you're over 80). The list shows what Chinese zodiac year each calendar year belongs to, including which animal represents 2026. If your birthday is before the Chinese New Year in January, then your animal will belong to the year before (rather like for birthday creep). 2027 – Goat 2026 – Horse 2025 – Snake 2024 – Dragon 2023 – Rabbit 2022 – Tiger 2021 – Ox 2020 – Rat 2019 – Pig 2018 – Dog 2017 – Rooster 2016 – Monkey 2015 – Goat 2014 – Horse 2013 – Snake 2012 – Dragon 2011 – Rabbit 2010 – Tiger 2009 – Ox 2008 – Rat 2007 – Pig 2006 – Dog 2005 – Rooster 2004 – Monkey 2003 – Goat 2002 – Horse 2001 – Snake 2000 – Dragon 1999 – Rabbit 1998 – Tiger 1997 – Ox 1996 – Rat 1995 – Pig 1994 – Dog 1993 – Rooster 1992 – Monkey 1991 – Goat 1990 – Horse 1989 – Snake 1988 – Dragon 1987 – Rabbit 1986 – Tiger 1985 – Ox 1984 – Rat 1983 – Pig 1982 – Dog 1981 – Rooster 1980 – Monkey 1979 – Goat 1978 – Horse 1977 – Snake 1976 – Dragon 1975 – Rabbit 1974 – Tiger 1973 – Ox 1972 – Rat 1971 – Pig 1970 – Dog 1969 – Rooster 1968 – Monkey 1967 – Goat 1966 – Horse 1965 – Snake 1964 – Dragon 1963 – Rabbit 1962 – Tiger 1961 – Ox 1960 – Rat 1959 – Pig 1958 – Dog 1957 – Rooster 1956 – Monkey 1955 – Goat 1954 – Horse 1953 – Snake 1952 – Dragon 1951 – Rabbit 1950 – Tiger 1949 – Ox 1948 – Rat 1947 – Pig 1946 – Dog 1945 – Rooster A few clarifying notes about the Chinese Zodiac and 2026 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, as the Horse year begins in February 2026. People born in January or early February 2026 are still born in the Year of the Snake, as Chinese zodiac years begin at Chinese New Year in February, not on 1 January. Caveat: I am not Chinese or Asian and have gathered this information from many sources over the years. Let me know if something needs correcting. Others The Chinese zodiac years are one of those things I feel like I ought to remember but always forget. Others in the same bucket for me: The NATO alphabet The Greek alphabet Celsius and Fahrenheit Party bottle sizes May 2025: I updated the original image to switch around the orientation of the red envelopes, which are more traditionally portrait than landscapeChinese Zodiac 2026: What Animal Year Is It? The Chinese zodiac year for 2026 is the Year of the Horse. People born in January and early February 2026 are still born in the Year of the Snake. The Chinese Zodiac is a repeating 12-year cycle of animals, with each year linked to a specific animal, forming the Chinese zodiac years and their traditional personality traits. The animals are those who took part in the Jade Emperor's Great Race. Chinese New Year marks the start of a new Chinese zodiac year, which is why the Chinese zodiac sign for 2026 changes in February rather than January. The Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon—lunisolar—meaning the New Year shifts slightly each year. Also known as the Spring Festival, the New Year marks the shift between Winter and Spring. It begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February, typically falling between late January and mid-February. Celebrations continue until the Lantern Festival, 15 days later. Chinese Zodiac Animals and Personality Traits Each Chinese zodiac sign is thought to shape the personality of those born in that year. If you were born in the Year of the Rat, you might be quick-witted and charming, while those born in the Year of the Dragon are often confident and enthusiastic. I always forget the full list of Chinese New Year animals—it's one of those things that's beyond 7 ± 2 and just won't stick in my head. So here it is, for future reference: Rat — Charming, Quick-witted Ox — Patient, Determined Tiger — Brave, Competitive Rabbit — Gentle, Compassionate Dragon — Confident, Enthusiastic Snake — Wise, Intuitive Horse — Energetic, Independent Goat (Sheep) — Calm, Creative Monkey — Witty, Curious Rooster — Hardworking, Observant Dog — Loyal, Honest Pig — Generous, Diligent The Legend of the Great Race: Why These 12 Animals? The Chinese zodiac animals are from an old legend: the Great Race. The Jade Emperor, Chinese mythology's ruler of all gods, hosted a great race across a river. The first 12 animals to finish would earn a place in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Cat and Rat, who were friends, hitched a ride on the back of Ox, who slowly swam through the river's deep water. As they crossed, Rat moved, knocking Cat into the river, but it was too dangerous to go back. As Ox neared the other bank, Rat jumped off, swimming the final metres and winning first place. Meanwhile, Dragon, despite being powerful, stopped to help others and finished fifth. Cat was left behind and finished last with a new dislike for rats. Variations in Other Countries Not all countries use the exact same Chinese zodiac signs. Vietnam, for example, swaps out two animals: The Rabbit is replaced by the Cat The Ox is replaced by the Water Buffalo Chinese New Year Symbols and Traditions Chinese New Year is full of traditions designed to bring good fortune: Red envelopes (hóngbāo) – Given to children and unmarried adults, filled with money as a symbol of luck and prosperity. Lanterns – Hung up or released into the sky, symbolizing brightness and good fortune. Firecrackers – Set off to scare away evil spirits and welcome the Lunar New Year with a bang. Red and gold – The most common colours in Chinese New Year decorations, representing happiness, wealth, and good luck. Other beliefs and traditions include: washing your hair can wash out your luck for the year giving oranges and tangerines to hosts as symbols of abundant happiness sweeping and cleaning the house to sweep away ill fortune decorating windows and doors with red paint, paper cutouts and banners giving respect and honour to gods and ancestors. Chinese Zodiac List from 2026 to 1945 Not sure of your animal or your child's? You can find yours in this list (unless you're over 80). The list shows what Chinese zodiac year each calendar year belongs to, including which animal represents 2026. If your birthday is before the Chinese New Year in January, then your animal will belong to the year before (rather like for birthday creep). 2027 – Goat 2026 – Horse 2025 – Snake 2024 – Dragon 2023 – Rabbit 2022 – Tiger 2021 – Ox 2020 – Rat 2019 – Pig 2018 – Dog 2017 – Rooster 2016 – Monkey 2015 – Goat 2014 – Horse 2013 – Snake 2012 – Dragon 2011 – Rabbit 2010 – Tiger 2009 – Ox 2008 – Rat 2007 – Pig 2006 – Dog 2005 – Rooster 2004 – Monkey 2003 – Goat 2002 – Horse 2001 – Snake 2000 – Dragon 1999 – Rabbit 1998 – Tiger 1997 – Ox 1996 – Rat 1995 – Pig 1994 – Dog 1993 – Rooster 1992 – Monkey 1991 – Goat 1990 – Horse 1989 – Snake 1988 – Dragon 1987 – Rabbit 1986 – Tiger 1985 – Ox 1984 – Rat 1983 – Pig 1982 – Dog 1981 – Rooster 1980 – Monkey 1979 – Goat 1978 – Horse 1977 – Snake 1976 – Dragon 1975 – Rabbit 1974 – Tiger 1973 – Ox 1972 – Rat 1971 – Pig 1970 – Dog 1969 – Rooster 1968 – Monkey 1967 – Goat 1966 – Horse 1965 – Snake 1964 – Dragon 1963 – Rabbit 1962 – Tiger 1961 – Ox 1960 – Rat 1959 – Pig 1958 – Dog 1957 – Rooster 1956 – Monkey 1955 – Goat 1954 – Horse 1953 – Snake 1952 – Dragon 1951 – Rabbit 1950 – Tiger 1949 – Ox 1948 – Rat 1947 – Pig 1946 – Dog 1945 – Rooster A few clarifying notes about the Chinese Zodiac and 2026 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, as the Horse year begins in February 2026. People born in January or early February 2026 are still born in the Year of the Snake, as Chinese zodiac years begin at Chinese New Year in February, not on 1 January. Caveat: I am not Chinese or Asian and have gathered this information from many sources over the years. Let me know if something needs correcting. Others The Chinese zodiac years are one of those things I feel like I ought to remember but always forget. Others in the same bucket for me: The NATO alphabet The Greek alphabet Celsius and Fahrenheit Party bottle sizes May 2025: I updated the original image to switch around the orientation of the red envelopes, which are more traditionally portrait than landscape

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