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Shēngxiào 生肖

The Chinese Zodiac, Shēngxiào, is mainly associated with a 12 year cycle represented by twelve animals (Shǔxiáng) - the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. However each cycle of 12 years is also associated with one of the five elements (Wǔ Xíng) - wood, fire, earth, metal and water. When both of these are taken together there is a 60 year cycle. For example 2020 is the year of the rat, and metal.

The first hanzi character 生 Shēng represents birth and life. The second hanzi character 肖 Xiào represents a resemblance, to be like something.

Sheng Xiao

Chinese Years of the Twelve Animals…

  • Rat - 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912
  • Ox - 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913
  • Tiger - 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914
  • Rabbit - 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915
  • Dragon - 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916
  • Snake - 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917
  • Horse - 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918
  • Goat - 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919
  • Monkey - 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920
  • Rooster - 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921
  • Dog - 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922
  • Pig - 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923

Chinese Years of the Five Elements…

  • Yang Wood, Feb 10 2024 to Jan 28 2025
  • Yin Wood, Jan 29 2025 to Feb 16 2026
  • Yang Fire, Feb 17 2026 to Feb 05 2027
  • Yin Fire, Feb 06 2027 to Jan 25 2028
  • Yang Earth, Jan 26 2028 to Feb 12 2029
  • Yin Earth, Feb 13 2029 to Feb 02 2030
  • Yang Metal, Feb 03 2030 to Jan 22 2031