Chinese New Year 2024: What’s Your Chinese Zodiac Animal Personality?

Happy Chinese New Year 2024! This Lunar New Year welcomes the next Chinese zodiac animal, which happens to make it the Year of the Dragon. Out of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs the dragon is the fifth, following on from the rabbit, tiger and ox (in that order).

This means we celebrated the Year of the Rabbit last year and next year will be celebrating the Year of the Snake. But back to this Chinese New Year. If you were born in the Year of the Dragon then this is your year. May it be a fiery one filled with tons of good luck.

In this article we look at each of the zodiac animals and personalities so you can see how yours matches up. We also unpack why Chinese New Year starts on a different calendar date each year, and more.

When is Chinese New Year?

You may have noticed the dates shift each year… so when is Chinese New Year in 2024? This year the Lunar New Year begins on 10 February – a date that will be celebrated throughout most parts of Asia and by people across the planet. This means 10 February marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.

Before you explore this further, you may be interested to read about some great pet friendly celebrations to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Now without further ado, let’s check out what this year means according to our zodiac animals…

12 Chinese zodiac animals

The Chinese New Year animals or zodiac signs are (in order) rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Scroll down to each sign to find out which one you are and what that means for you.

Because there are 12 animals each sign will only appear once every twelfth year. (Psssst, you can usually work out a person’s age by finding out their Chinese zodiac animal).

In addition to the Chinese zodiac animals there are five zodiac elements each sign will cycle through. The zodiac elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. For example, this Lunar New Year marks the arrival of the Year of the Wood Dragon.

Inner, true and secret Chinese zodiac animals

Did you know each person has four Chinese zodiac signs?

Yep, you have your main outward facing zodiac animal representing the year you’re born in. Then you also have an inner, true and secret sign for your month, day and hour of birth.

Each of your signs has a primary facing direction or mode. Think of it as how you are with your friends and your colleagues compared to how you are with your loved ones and then yourself.

Here’s a snapshot:

Cycle	Mode	Function
Year	Outer	Social or outward facing
Month	Inner	Intimate or inward facing
Day	True	Destiny, or growth, who you’ll become as you mature
Hour	Secret	Your true nature or essential self

A Chinese astrologer will read all your signs together, granting you a fuller picture of your destiny and what you need to work on in your life to fulfil your dream.

So, what’s your Chinese zodiac animal sign and does it match your personality? Let’s look at the personality for each to find out.

BTW, we're looking at the Chinese New Year animals in their cyclical order (there's no hierarchical order). That means we'll begin with the rat.  

#1 Year of the Rat is the first in the Chinese New Year zodiac 🐀

Rats are kind, energetic and optimistic. They’re sensitive to the feelings of others, which makes them likeable.

Having said that, rats can also be pretty stubborn and sometimes don’t communicate clearly. This means despite their good intentions they can come across as a bit rude.  

Rats are financial hoarders and while this looks great their bank statement they do occasionally bust out with a sudden irrational spend. Or two. Given the nature of online shopping, many of us probably possess an inner rat.

Rats are smart. They’re highly adaptable and quick-witted, meaning they can adjust well to most environments. They’re also blessed with foresight and intelligence that helps them navigate these new situations to make good decisions.

• Birth years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
• Strengths: versatile, intuitive, resourceful, intelligent, quick-witted, positive
• Weaknesses: stubborn, cowardly, trivial

Career: Given their sense of adaptation and independence, rats can be great freelancers. They’re often more inclined to working individually in fairly innovative fields. Rats have a penchant and inclination for fields like service industries, agriculture and finance.

#2 Year of the Ox 🐂

Oxen are honest, heartfelt and kind. They make great leaders and can manage people well, as they have natural stamina and are compassionate. Oxen enjoy routine and respect the process involved in achieving the outcome. Plus they’re tireless and persistent.

Oxen never let others down. They’re accountable and self-made. They also never seek the limelight and are the diametric opposite of attention seeking. Despite this, their hard work can earn them great recognition.

Because of their sincerity and sense of justice, oxen gain the trust of people of all ranks in life. They carry their own weight and respect and believe that others can and should too.

Chinese New Year of 2021 was the Year of the Metal Ox, which meant the Ox’s hard work would pay off with a bountiful harvest.

• Birth years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
• Strengths: faithful, generous, responsible, hard-working, determined
• Weaknesses: reserved, moderate, stubborn, circumspect

Career: Oxen have enormous capacity and can fulfil rational roles, for instance in law and politics and teaching. Oxen tend to have a highly personalised and conscientious approach to their work.

#3 Year of the Tiger 🐯

Tigers are benevolent, kind and enjoy pastimes that use their imagination. For a tiger, work is not a means to an end; it’s an integral and engaging part of existence. Tigers are natural leaders. As a result, they do well in management roles.

2022 was the tiger’s year – read our Year of the Tiger article to find out more!

Tigers are vital, energetic and feel powerful emotion. As a result, they can make bold daring decisions that can sometimes be forceful or even cruel to others. They dare to love but also to hate, and if you do something wrong you can expect them to openly say so.

Don’t expect a tiger to give up – it’s not part of their nature. They’ll fearlessly brave and overcome any hurdle or obstacle they encounter. In short, don’t try to cut the supermarket queue and take a tiger’s place.

Fun fact, did you know about the Toyger cat that’s named after a toy tiger?

• Birth years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
• Strengths: adventurous, ambitious, just, brave, passionate, optimistic
• Weaknesses: arrogant, impetuous, stubborn

Career: Tigers thrive in adventurous work that challenges them, like politics or economics. Tigers should avoid repetitive work, instead seeking out roles that for them have meaning and put their best abilities to work.

#4 Year of the Rabbit – the sign last Chinese New Year (2023) 🐰

2023 was the Year of the Rabbit.

Rabbits are elegant, gentle, and optimistic. Due to their gentle and calm outward temperament, they can surprise with their seemingly hidden strength and confidence.

Rabbits are highly self-disciplined and goal oriented. They can be hard on themselves but are gentle and tolerant of others.

Despite their mellow and courteous disposition, rabbits don’t trust easily. They aren’t gullible and they’re highly alert. Although very sociable, rabbits can struggle to share their emotions and can sometimes turn to escapism.

The next time Year of the Rabbit comes around will be in 2035.

• Birth years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
• Strengths: amiable, gentle, elegant, self-disciplined, gracious, generous
• Weaknesses: self-absorbed, volatile, conformist

Career: Rabbits have great insight and can enjoy innovative work like arts and culture.
They enjoy work where competition is not the guiding force, such as education, religion and agriculture.

#5 Year of the Dragon – Chinese New Year in 2024 🐉

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Dragons have insight, power and natural authority. Their capacity to achieve their goals seems almost charmed. They’re revered by all and are natural born leaders. What’s more, people have a natural inclination to follow dragons through a sense of desire rather than obligation.

Of the 12 signs, the dragon is the only one represented by a mythical creature.

Dragons are passionate and well-spoken. They understand their own mind and can express themselves eloquently. They have great stores of energy and charm.

In other words, they have relentless drive and little to no penchant for that feeling known as exhaustion.

• Birth years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
• Strengths: confident, resolute, strong, authoritative, dignified, honourable
• Weaknesses: indomitable, defeatist, malleable

Career: Dragons need room for their talent and imagination in their work. They have a great sense of justice and aesthetics and can thrive in art, politics, religion and even sales.

#6 Year of the Snake is the next Chinese New Year 🐍

While snakes often have a bad rap, there’s more to them than meets the eye. The snake is loyal, humorous, sophisticated and has great acumen. On the flip side, you can also expect some cattiness from your snake friends.

Snakes are cool and considered. They’re able to think on their feet (even though they don’t have any). When chaos ensues, they can problem solve while those around them panic. They’re the veritable eye of the storm.

There’s no need to make chit-chat with snakes because they’re all about the bigger picture. While they may appear to be calm, they have a super-fast internal processor. However they may appear, behind the scenes they’re alert, observant and taking note of everything.

• Birth years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
• Strengths: inspired, talented, calm, modest, perceptive, intelligent
• Weaknesses: obstinate, indifferent, sceptical, possessive

Career: Snakes are autonomous in their approach to work. They’re logical, insightful and innovative and as a result do well in fields of communication, psychological health, politics and art. They don’t do well in monotonous roles.

#7 Year of the Horse 🐎

The horse is energetic and enthusiastic. They’re open about their feelings and, happily, this works well for them socially.

In addition to being brave, independent, and strong, they have a keen eye for the true meaning of things. This quality gives them an understanding and sensitivity to the emotions of those around them.

Horses believe in living for truth and value, rather than for gain. They’re highly energetic, studious and athletic.

Although horses have many strengths, one of their weaknesses is that they’re blind to their own flaws. They’re emotionally volatile and quick to anger, but also quick to make good.

• Birth years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
• Strengths: brave, strong, talented, energetic, enthusiastic and independent
• Weaknesses: overly ambitious, overconfident, and sometimes overly sophisticated

Career: Horses enjoy adventurous and explorative fields. They can amass great success due to their superb strength or suffer failure from being impulsive. Horses perform well in literary, arts and business fields and those that generally allow freedom to explore their talent without restriction.

#8 Year of the Goat 🐐

Goats are highly perseverant. Give them a difficult work project and, where others have given up, they’ll overcome the obstacles. They make well-considered choices and are resilient and motivated.

When things go wrong, goats can be passive and as a result can wait too long to react – becoming defensive at the last minute. As a result of this inability to speak up, they can tend towards pessimism.

They’re empathetic and get along well with most people yet are cautious with strangers. They have a natural penchant for organising home and work

• Birth years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
• Strengths: gentle, calm, creative, social, considerate, resilient
• Weaknesses: negative, passive, impractical, stubborn

Career: Goats are considered in their decisions and are good critical thinkers. This gives them natural leanings towards professions like health, education and editorial work. They don’t enjoy competition and prefer work that has a routine. They’re creative thinkers too and can enjoy fields like literature and art, which they pursue studiously.

#9 Year of the Monkey 🐵

Monkeys are intelligent, sociable, and well regarded throughout life. In their younger years they’re appreciated by their teachers and parents and as adults by their colleagues.

Monkeys do well in the workplace as they’re willing to take initiative and face challenges.

On the flip side, monkeys don’t like seeing others perform better than them because they’re highly competitive with leanings of arrogance. Jealousy can sometimes result in monkeys showing disrespect.

Happily, monkeys are open to hearing other people’s critiques of them and happy to learn from them. They’re willing to learn from their mistakes and triumph through calm and logical thinking. The next time Chinese New Year marks the Year of the Monkey will be in five years’ time.

• Birth years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
• Strengths: intelligent, brave, rebellious, talented, smart, humorous, sociable
• Weaknesses: boastful, manipulative, opportunistic, impatient, conceited

Career: Highly energetic, monkeys can do well in jobs requiring physical stamina, like sports. Monkeys are logical thinkers who enjoy a challenge and therefore can enjoy roles in business, law, finance or politics.

#10 Year of the Rooster 🐓

Roosters are great communicators, and as a result manage teams well. They’re honest, intelligent, and ambitious. They enjoy their work and are decisive and direct in their approach.

They’re perfectionists and if they disapprove of something they’ll tell you right away.

Roosters can have unexpectedly savage tempers if someone tries to obstruct them. Regardless of the short-term outcome these gracious go-getters will usually get everyone onside in the end.

Roosters love their families and, to them, family is a wonderful sanctuary. If the rooster is your Chinese New Year zodiac animal then your feelings about family are ‘the bigger the better’. 

• Birth years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
• Strengths: independent, capable, loving, dignified, decisive
• Weaknesses: impatient, critical, conservative, selfish

Career: Roosters understand other people’s aesthetics and because of this they make great curators and facilitators. Their ability to lead means they make good entrepreneurs and business partners.

#11 Year of the Dog is every year not just Chinese New Year🐶

Dogs are our BFFs, so it’s no surprise that the leading quality of the dog is loyalty. Dogs are honest and will stay by your side, giving a helping paw and good advice. As pet lovers, every year is the Year of the Dog, not just Chinese New Year. 😃

The zodiac animal that is the dog is popular in social circles. In other words – everyone needs a friend who’s a dog (don’t we know it)! That said, they’re cautious about giving themselves over to friendship and do so slowly. However, once your friend, they’ll be so forever.

Dogs can sometimes blame their foibles on others. They can be too quick to criticise without fully grasping the full measure of a situation. Although they won’t show it, they can feel worried and anxious.

When they decide on something, they pursue it doggedly. So, not only are dogs loyal to those they love most but they’re also loyal to their work. As you can see below, the next time Chinese New Year will officially be Year of the Dog is 2030.

• Birth years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
• Strengths: honest, loyal, brave, responsible, intelligent
• Weaknesses: conservative, stubborn

Career: Dogs have a natural sense of justice and can do well in the fields of law, education and planning. A dog's natural perseverance gives them the tenacity to handle competitive environments, like sales, marketing and blogging.

#12 Year of the Pig completes the Chinese New Year zodiac signs 🐷

The pig is not a big spender but knows how to spend just enough to pamper themselves. They’re highly realistic and you can depend on them to follow through with what they promise.

If pigs had an anthem it would have to be Madonna’s Material Girl. For example, they appreciate their worldly possessions, and the sense of security these bring (who could blame them). As a result, a pig will often use this material-girl-ethic to motivate themselves to work hard.

Pigs are unpretentious, sincere and generous in lending a helping hand. And they’re enthusiastic, even if the task at hand seems laborious.

However, pigs aren’t always able to tell when someone is being insincere so if the pig is your Chinese zodiac animal then take care not to end up being deceived.

• Birth years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
• Strengths: diligent, sincere, positive, responsible, compassionate, generous
• Weaknesses: easily influenced, self-indulgent

Career: Pigs have innovative ideas and the capacity for entrepreneurship. They benefit from sharing their workload and do well with the right business partners. Pigs are great planners and coordinators and have a flair for interpersonal relationships. They have the tendency to do well in fields of education, charity and hospitality.

Chinese New Year FAQ

Want to be even more Chinese New Year savvy? Read our answers to your most asked questions:

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

The whole festival is steeped in tradition and is about ushering in good luck and prosperity for the new year. It’s a festive, loud, and colourful celebration, full of joy and good cheer! 🐲🧧🎉 Here’s a rundown of how it’s typically celebrated:

Family reunions

Chinese New Year is a time for family. People travel back to their hometowns for family gatherings, making it the largest annual human migration in the world!

Red decorations

Red is everywhere. Homes are decorated with red lanterns, banners, and couplets with good luck phrases. Red is considered auspicious and symbolises good fortune and happiness.

Cleaning and preparing the home

Before the New Year, there’s a tradition of cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck and make room for good luck. But once New Year’s Eve hits, no more cleaning – you wouldn’t want to sweep away the good luck that arrived…

Feasting

Food is a big deal. Families have a huge reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, with dishes like dumplings (symbolising wealth), fish (for abundance) and sticky rice cakes (for a higher quality of life).

Red envelopes

Known as ‘hongbao’, these are red packets filled with money given to children and younger family members. It’s not just about the cash; it’s a way to pass on blessings and good wishes.

Fireworks and firecrackers

At midnight, fireworks light up the sky to scare away evil spirits and bad luck. The noise and lights are quite a spectacle – but not for animals! Its best to keep your pets far away from any fireworks around this time. Read our tips for pet safety during fireworks.

Dragon and lion dances

These traditional performances are meant to bring good luck, with the dragon and lion being symbols of strength and good fortune.

Lantern festival

This marks the end of the New Year celebrations. People release lanterns into the sky or float them on rivers, and there’s often more dancing and music.

How to say ‘Happy New Year’ in Chinese

To say, “Happy New Year” in Chinese, you can say “新年快乐” (Xīnnián kuàilè). This is the standard greeting and it’s widely used. It literally translates to “New Year Happy” in English. If you’re speaking to someone, you can say it with enthusiasm, like “Sheen-nian kwai-luh!”

If you’re referring to the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year specifically, you might also hear “恭喜发财” (Gōngxǐ fācái), which means “Wishing you wealth and prosperity”. This is often used during the celebrations of the Lunar New Year.

Both greetings are appropriate to use and will be appreciated by Chinese speakers. 新年快乐! 🎉🐉🧧

Why do Lunar New Year dates shift each year?

Why does Chinese New Year start on a different date each year? It’s similar to Easter, which accurately follows the moon’s orbit around the earth, rather than a fixed calendar estimation of when the orbit will be complete.

The calendar we use around the world actually is based on the orbit of the earth around the sun (the average length of a year) and the moon’s orbit around the earth (the average length of a month). But, to make things simple, we kind of set this in stone – or, rather, on paper – so we could all get on with deadlines and getting stuff done. This means it’s not quite true to the earth and moon’s orbits and seasonal shifts, but it’s pretty close.

In truth, the time it takes for these orbits to complete vary slightly and that’s why our Western calendar has a leap year. We cut out a whole day of the year every four years to make up for slight shifts in the heavenly bodies’ travel schedules.

Some celebrations like Christmas are set to that calendar while others like Easter and Chinese New Year are really happening with the change of the moon, the seasons and the moon/earth’s orbital position. That’s why Chinese New Year is also called the Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year is the celebration of the Spring Festival. In other words it marks the true beginning of Spring.

Protecting your pet’s inner Chinese Zodiac animal

No matter what your cat’s or dog’s Chinese zodiac animal is, their main outward facing strength is probably unconditional love for you.

On the other hand, their inner weaknesses could range from getting into accidents to becoming ill or injured. Thankfully, you can celebrate Chinese New Year and this Year of the Dragon by getting award winning pet insurance to protect them and your pocket.

PD Insurance gives you one or more months of FREE cat insurance or dog insurance when you buy a pawlicy online. Click below to get a quote today.