Chinese Astrology Chart: Month, Day, and Hour Birth Animals and Their Meanings – Exemplore
B M Durtnall is a freelance writer and researcher with an avid interest in topics beyond what just the eye can see.
The Chinese astrological wheel shows the 12 animals of the zodiac.
The Chinese zodiac is a medium through which astrologers prepare a chart and use it to interpret an individual’s personality and destiny. The system, based on a 12-year cycle, assigns 12 animals to each year in the cycle. An astrologer reading an individual’s chart can determine many things about that person, including their destiny, outward personality, inner characteristics, and compatibility with others.
While most people are familiar with the animal attached to their year of birth, most are not aware of the more complex nature of this form of astrology. This article covers:
- Traits and characteristics usually linked to each Chinese calendar animal
- The meaning of your month, day, and hour animals
- How to interpret the placement of each of these animals on your zodiac chart
Chinese Zodiac Animals
Chinese astrology is a complex system. However, while most people are aware of the use of animals to represent each cycle of a 12-year system, they do not know about the further division of the year into months, weeks, days and hour – each with its own representative animal. When preparing a complete Chinese astrological chart, an astrologer will not look solely at the year animal. He or she will also determine which other animals are present, representative of the month, week, day and hour of birth. To be able to comprehend the entire system, it is imperative you first know the basic qualities and characteristics of each Chinese Zodiac animal.
Each of the 12 animals of the zodiac has unique characteristics setting them apart from each other. No one animal is superior to the others as they all have their own innate strengths and weaknesses. Identifying which animal corresponds to your year, month, and hour of birth will help you figure out why certain traits are exhibited outwardly, while others are more internally manifested.
1. Rat
People born under a rat sign display a quick wit when cornered. They are resourceful, and easy to get along with. Their most endearing quality is their overt honesty. Yet, they are also opportunists, quickly taking advantage of an event or person in order to achieve their goal. This drive combined with a strong sense of self-preservation makes rats survivors. Rats are best friends and lovers with a Monkey and a Dragon, but anathema to a goat, horse or snake.
The sign of the rat symbolizes a sharp and intelligent nature.
2. Ox
Those affiliated with the ox are conscientious, diligent, strong and steadfast in both their work and personal lives. They are calm but stubborn. They tend to become great leaders because of their solid work ethic and industrious approach to life in general. As traditionalists, they gain support and respect. However, their ability to be close-minded on several topics can result in alienation from many people. Oxen are compatible with the Rooster and Snake, but should avoid entanglements of any kind with the Horse, the Goat or the Monkey.
The ox commands the respect of others, but must be careful about being overly stubborn with the ones they love.
3. Tiger
People born under the sign of the tiger are generally daring and adventurous—willing to take risks and put themselves out there. With this confident, overt nature, tigers are often socially engaging and popular at parties. On the flip side, however, their confidence can sometimes get out of hand, leading them to make impulsive, sometimes faulty, decisions. Those with a sign of the tiger will need to watch their tendencies to act too quickly or to be too reactive in emotionally charged situations. When able to channel their confidence and magnetism into positive pursuits, tigers can create a very meaningful life for themselves. They are be suited as partners with the Horse and the Dog but need to avoid relationships of any type with the Goat, the Monkey and the Rooster.
Those born under the sign of the tiger are usually confident and engaging, but must be mindful of their sometimes reactive nature.
4. Rabbit
Following the bold and brash tiger is the rabbit—opposite in many ways. Those born under the sign of the rabbit are much quieter and good-natured than their predecessor in the Zodiac is. Rabbits have a reputation for being gentle, calm, quiet and discreet. They hate arguments and avoid conflict, sometimes to their own detriment. They display style and finesse but are often too quiet and appear aloof. When Rabbits connect successfully with others it is usually with the Goat and the Pig and almost never with the Monkey, the Rooster and the Dog.
Gentle and kind, a rabbit must make sure their discreet manner doesn’t prevent them from being close to others.
5. Dragon
People born with the sign of the dragon are strong and fearless personalities. They are colourful, vibrant and assertive. Dragons are active. Couple this with a high degree of intelligence and you have one of the most powerful animals in the Chinese Zodiac. They are excellent leaders providing they can keep their pride and ego in check. They are most compatible with the Rat and the Monkey but are badly with the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig.
Dragons are some of the most powerful of the zodiac—they must be vigilant about how they wield their influence.
6. Snake
The snake is one of the more mysterious animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac. People who fall under this sign are intuitive and intelligent, yet calm and quiet. Their reticence can make them hard to get to know, especially since their reserved demeanour often masks a mind going a mile a minute. Because they are smart and deep thinking, they are good in a crisis and are able to step back and consider workable solutions. As determined and smart individuals, Snakes are almost always successful in the work they undertake. Their best choices for mates and close friends are the Rooster and the Ox. They need to steer clear of the Dog, the Pig and the Rat.
The snake is an enigmatic sign with a quiet presence, but a deep mind.
7. Horse
People born under this sign are lively and vibrant personalities. As a result, they tend to be popular with co-workers, friends and acquaintances. Horses are also energetic, optimistic and practical. They are both capable and inquisitive. Their ideal mates and friends are those who are Dogs or Tigers. They need to avoid those born as a Pig, a Rat or an Ox.
The horse is an energetic sign that excels in social situations.
8. Goat
Following the horse in the Chinese zodiac is its energetic opposite—the goat. Goats are known for being quiet, reserved and unemotional. An ambitious and determined individual, the Goat is realistic in his/her goals. Goats are also patient and practical making them capable of reaching their goals in their own time. Within this sign, common sense prevails. Goats tend to do best with the Rabbit and the Pig. They are not suitable for long-term relationships with the Rat, the Ox and the Tiger.
Empathetic, steadfast, and reliable, the goat makes an excellent friend and partner.
9. Monkey
People born under the sign of the monkey are lively, yet mercenary. They are opportunistic, but companionable. Monkeys are usually successful in their ventures. This is the result of a combination of confidence (which can overreach itself) and the ability to utilize deviousness when necessary. Since Monkeys tend to be fickle, self-centred and insincere, they do not make the most reliable or faithful companions. They do best with the Dragon and the Rat but cause distress when with the Ox, the Tiger and the Rabbit.
Playful and engaging, a person with a monkey in their zodiac is often fun to be around.
10. Rooster
The Rooster is very talkative, but moody. Roosters are vain, extravagant and outgoing. Unless they work with others, they rarely achieve success in their endeavours. Handsome and dignified, Roosters find happiness and success with the Snake and the Ox, but are unable to be successful or happy with the Tiger, the Rabbit and the Dragon.
A rooster is not always as emotionally removed as they may seem—it is love of those close to them that motivates them to strive for excellence.
11. Dog
In the Chinese Zodiac, the dog is perceived similarly to how they are perceived in Western culture, with loyalty being their primary trait. People born under a Dog sign are patient, caring, reliable and protective. They make excellent friends, co-workers, employees, and partners because they are earnest and committed in all of their relationships. As sincere and intelligent individuals, they make worthy leaders. While compatible with the Horse and the Tiger, Dogs need to not become serious about anyone who is a Rabbit, a Dragon or a Snake.
The dog sign symbolizes a loyal and earnest person who may struggle to share their internal thoughts and feelings with others.
12. Pig
The pig is the last sign in the Chinese Zodiac, and it is a well-balanced sign. Those influenced by the Pig are often hard-working and goal-driven, but they are also able to kick back and relax or indulge their needs. Sometimes materialistic in their needs, they are fortunate in their ability to handle money. They are lucky in finances and friendships. Cultures and intelligent, Pigs find their best matches with the Goat and the Rabbit but not the Dragon, the Snake and the Horse.
A person born under the sign of the pig is individualistic and happy to do their own thing!
These animals comprise the basis for the Chinese Zodiac system. In the Ba Zi or the Four Pillars of Destiny method, each of the 12 Circle of Animals has a year, month, day and even hour. They not only are representatives of the year of your birth, they also correspond to the exact month, day and hour.
| Type of Animal | What It Represents |
|---|---|
|
Year |
Outer animal; what you manifest outwardly to the world around you. |
|
Month |
Inner animal; less obvious characteristics that you possess but rarely share with others. |
|
Day |
True animal; represents who you will grow into as an adult. |
|
Hour |
Secret animal; who you are at your very core—your truest nature. |
Chinese Calendar Animals
Month Animals
There are twelve animals. The animal associated with each month represents internal characteristics that you may not show as openly to the world. Therefore, it is unsurprising that month animals are called “Inner Animals” since they represent your “inner animal.” Below are the signs attached to each month of the year. Their favourable month is as follows:
| Month | Animal Attached | Month | Animal Attached |
|---|---|---|---|
|
January |
Ox |
July |
Sheep (Goat) |
|
February |
Tiger |
August |
Monkey |
|
March |
Rabbit |
September |
Rooster |
|
April |
Dragon |
October |
Dog |
|
May |
Snake |
November |
Pig |
|
June |
Horse |
December |
Rat |
Carefully consider the month of your animal. In this time, s/he becomes the most active. As such, it is a favourable favourable month for you. During this period, the characteristics associated with this animal sign will become more obvious to others.
Day Animals
Chinese animal signs rule over days of the week, too. The term for them is “True Animals.” If your astrologer wishes to prepare a chart, it is essential he or she knows the animals ruling the day of your birth. Given there are only seven days of the week and 12 animals, some days have more than one animal. The animal(s) for each day are as follows:
| Day of the Week | Animals Attached |
|---|---|
|
Monday |
Sheep |
|
Tuesday |
Dragon |
|
Wednesday |
Horse |
|
Thursday |
Rat, Pig |
|
Friday |
Rabbit, Snake, Dog |
|
Saturday |
Ox, Tiger, Rooster |
|
Sunday |
Monkey |
Hour Animals
In preparing a Chinese astrology chart, you also must include the hour of your birth. The term for the animals associated with the hour is “Secret Animal.” For some astrologers, this animal represents your most authentic and true nature—the part innately you, hidden, for the most part from the rest of the world.
To determine your hour animal, see the table below. Please note that the times provided are Western concepts of time and that the Chinese system is very different.
| Time of Birth | Animal Attached | Time of Birth | Animal Attached |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1am-3am |
Ox |
1pm-3pm |
Goat |
|
3am-5am |
Tiger |
3pm-5pm |
Monkey |
|
5am-7am |
Rabbit |
5pm-7pm |
Rooster |
|
7am-9am |
Dragon |
7pm-9pm |
Dog |
|
9am-11am |
Snake |
9pm-11pm |
Pig |
|
11am-1pm |
Horse |
11pm-1am |
Rat |
Did You Know?
Many people assume that it is a good thing when the 12-year cycle lands on a year attached to their year animal. However, this is a misconception—it is actually believed to be a very unlucky year for those born under the animal attached. In 2021, people with the pig as their year animal should be cautious and on the lookout for pitfalls and road bumps.
How to Read Your Chinese Astrological Chart
Chinese Astrology is complex. It requires more than knowing your year animal. It demands close attention to the details. One version even requires you know the elements associated with your animals. If you keep it simple, your chart will consist of the four animals. They would be your year animal, month animal, day animal and hour animal.
However, it is also important to keep in mind the role and placement of the animals. Each does not have equal weight in your astrological chart. The year animal has more force than that of the month. The month animal has more influence than that of the day. The day animal is more powerful than that of the hour.
While these factors do make it more difficult to prepare and read a Chinese Astrological Chart, they also enhance the ability to arrive at an accurate character analysis of most individuals. Following this system also provides you with more exacting information to use in mapping your destiny.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Wolffang on September 21, 2021:
Pig
Snake
Sheep/goat
Rooster
Homo sapiens on September 18, 2021:
Year: Horse
Month: Tiger
Day: Rat, Pig
Hour: Dog
Charitin on September 10, 2021:
Year monkey
Month Rat
Day dragon
Hour tiger
Kevin on September 02, 2021:
Year pig
Month rooster
Day not sure cuz my parents never told me
Hour same as day
Vanessa on September 02, 2021:
Year – Dragon
Month – Horse
Day – Rat/Pig
Hour – Dog
Looks like a hot mess to me!
Salvin on July 15, 2021:
17 Feb 1997
Year Animal: OX (FIRE)
Month Animal: TIGER
Day Animal: SHEEP
Hour Animal: SNAKE
ARE THESE GOOD SIGNS?
Mera1506 on July 03, 2021:
Year: (Wood) Rat
Month: Horse
Day: Rabbit, Snake, Dog
Hour: Monkey
Is this a good combination?
Eli on June 29, 2021:
Year: Ox
Month:Horse
Day:Monkey
Hour: Either Monkey or Rooster
Keeba on June 19, 2021:
Year – Pig
Month – Horse
Day – Sheep
Hour – Snake
Amy on May 29, 2021:
Year, Metal Dragon
Month, Dragon
Day, Dragon,
Hour, Dragon.
I’m not even joking. Seems dragon is my meant to be.
Tomasz on May 01, 2021:
Year of the Gold Monkey
Month of the Goat
Day of the Dragon
Hour of the Rat
Kathrine on February 22, 2021:
Year- Rooster
Month- Rooster
Day- Sheep
Hour- pig
Avi on February 15, 2021:
Year- Fire Dog
Month- Dog
Day- Rabbit, Snake, Dog
Hour- Horse
malenso808 on February 12, 2021:
Year- Wood Rat
Month- Rabbit
Day- Ox, Tiger, Rooster
Hour – rat
Chris on February 04, 2021:
Year: Rooster
Month: Rooster
Day: Dragon
Hour: Rooster
Gee i wonder if i’m a rooster?
Lav on January 23, 2021:
Year: Horse
Month: Rat
Day: Horse
Hour: Rat
Cirus on January 05, 2021:
Year: Ox
Month: Monkey
Hour: Monkey
Day: Horse
Tami on December 24, 2021:
Year: Rat
Month: Tiger
Day:Monkey
Hour:Tiger
Emmy on December 23, 2021:
Year: Dragon
Month: Dragon
Day: Rabbit, Snake, Dog
Hour: Dragon
AleG on December 14, 2021:
Year- Pig
Month- Goat
Day- Rabbit, Snake, Dog
Hour-Dragon
adrian joseph rydge on December 14, 2021:
I am rooster born in the hour, week month & year of the rooster?!
whats this mean?
Flower on January 28, 2021:
Year: Monkey
Month: Dragon
Day: Ox, Tiger, Rooster
Hour: Snake
Caleb on January 27, 2021:
Sheep 1991 Horse June Monkey day 7. Dog in hours 8.3pm
Caleb on January 27, 2021:
My yare zodiac is sheep 1991 /mothe is a horse June my day monkey 7 /hour dog 8.3pm
Caleb on January 27, 2021:
My chines animals sheep in yars and a hours in months. Monkey in days and a dog in hours
Bubai on January 20, 2021:
I’m a
snake
tiger
rabbit,snake,dog
monkey
AAAA on January 19, 2021:
im a rat tiger horse horse
Tracy on January 16, 2021:
I’m a dog, a rabbit, a horse, and a rat
lisa cassar on January 15, 2021:
im a rabbit , snake, rat, rabbit
kobe8 on January 14, 2021:
I’m Rooster, Tiger, Horse, Dog.
L’Ton on January 13, 2021:
Horse all around Guess that makes me a PURE BREED
Big Boi on January 07, 2021:
Im a donkey
Marina on January 06, 2021:
I am
Year: Metal Horse
Mouth: Fire Ox
Day: Fire Rooster
Hour: Metal Dog
LAmo on January 04, 2021:
im a rooster I actually don’t mind that I love roosters
Grace on January 02, 2021:
Rat lol
Lizzie on December 30, 2021:
Bunny
kid from 90s on December 27, 2021:
Snake
Dragon
Dragon
Dragon
a lot of dragons am l right haha
khrgsjhaejbegrutgjkeutgjuijdvm on December 20, 2021:
I am a Dog for my year!!!!! I am so happy that I am not a pig
Odd Formation on December 13, 2021:
Earth Snake
Metal Rooster
Fire Dragon
Wood Dragon
lola on December 13, 2021:
i love you
Bleebloop on December 11, 2021:
I’m part rooster, part pig, part horse and lastly part dragon… cool!
Attaliyah on December 10, 2021:
I am a dog monkey horse dog
Cheese and Sprinkles on December 08, 2021:
I got sheep ox tiger rooster rabbit
bwana on December 08, 2021:
rooster snake monkey boar
Evangelene on December 04, 2021:
I am a horse sheet rabbit rooster
p2isthename on November 28, 2021:
im a rooster so uhhh
Hi on November 24, 2021:
Just curious
It’s me on November 21, 2021:
Im tiger rabbit rabbit rst
Lol on November 19, 2021:
Rooster Rooster Dragon
Yasminr on November 17, 2021:
Im an Ox, Rabbit, Sheep, Rabbit
Random person on November 16, 2021:
im a snake
Sagarvarma on November 14, 2021:
Dog.. Rat,pig.. Rabbit
Maleah Parker on November 14, 2021:
Dragon
Dog
Dragon
Pig
Interested Student on November 13, 2021:
Thank you for posting this! It was very interesting!
I am a
Rat
Dragon
Dragon
Ox
Michael on November 12, 2021:
My son is
Dragon
Ox
Dragon
Horse
Kira on November 09, 2021:
I am a stinken rat .
efk on November 09, 2021:
dragon
xixi on November 07, 2021:
rat horse horse ox
your mom on November 07, 2021:
im confuzzled
Jo on November 06, 2021:
Im a rooster
Cilla on November 05, 2021:
DOG
PiG
SHEEP
TIGER
Kadyn on November 05, 2021:
I’m a cat
Jayjay on November 04, 2021:
Yay!l am a dragon and a sheep!
Animal Lover on November 02, 2021:
Tiger
Horse
Ox
X on October 28, 2021:
Cool Im a dragooon
Christiano Ronaldo on October 26, 2021:
Year is
Beats n’ Rice on October 25, 2021:
Wood monkey
inner animal sheep
true animal dragon
secret animal ox
Emmy on October 24, 2021:
Yo was up
Bobby on October 21, 2021:
I am bob hahah
USMC8541 on October 20, 2021:
born year of the iron pig, day of the horse hour of the rabbit
CodySalad on October 20, 2021:
NICE
Kirnan on October 12, 2021:
Month dragon day rabit year tiger
Jayde on October 10, 2021:
Wolf tiger horse
Me on October 10, 2021:
rooster, rat, dragon, and monkey
Tal on October 10, 2021:
Rabbit
Tiger
Dragon
Dog
Kayla on October 09, 2021:
Pig, tiger, sheep, and dog.
Riah on October 09, 2021:
Year: Rooster
Month: Rat
Day: Monkey
Hour: Rabbit or Dragon
Arianna on October 06, 2021:
Year: Rooster
Month: Rabbit
Day: Rabbit, Snake, Dog
Hour: Unknown
Rene on October 03, 2021:
Year: Dragon
Month: Sheep
Day: Rat/Pig
Hour: Sheep
skye battese on September 25, 2021:
everyone I meet is close to my famliys birthday and it crazy
Blinknini89 on September 22, 2021:
Rooster rabbit horse and rooster
Lexi on September 21, 2021:
Dog, horse, dog
Kai on September 15, 2021:
Snake Snake Snake and Tiger 🙂
Sarah on September 14, 2021:
Snake, Rat, Sheep and horse
ken on September 12, 2021:
ox monkey and dragon
Jesus on September 08, 2021:
Year: 1996 (Rat)
Month: December (Rat)
Day: Wednesday (Horse)
Hour: 3:38 (Monkey)
Star on August 29, 2021:
Tiger, rat, dragon ,monkey, pig
I on August 25, 2021:
I’m a tiger rooster dog and 3 others
Fe on August 18, 2021:
Year: Tiger
Month: Snake
Day: Snake/dog/rabbit
Hour: Pig
Dragokate on August 15, 2021:
Year: Dragon
Month: Pig
Day: Dog
Hour: Goat
Hi this is mine⬇ on August 14, 2021:
Year:Rooster (2005)
Month:Dog(October)
Day:Dragon (Tuesday)
Time:Dog(7:37)
Inftronic on August 11, 2021:
Year: Rabbit (Earth and Yin)
Month: Rat
Day: Dragon
Hour: Rat
Tyler Durden on August 07, 2021:
year:Dragon
month:Dragon
day:Dragon
hour:Dragon
lol…..now that’s coincidence
Zalaine Gregory on July 25, 2021:
Year of the Rooster(2005)
Month of the Rat(December)
Day of the sheep(Monday)
Hour of the Dragon/Snake
(I’m exactly 9:00 am)
Kalani King on July 25, 2021:
Yr: Water Monkey
Month: Fire Sheep
Day: Dragon
Hr: Fire Tiger
Florent on July 23, 2021:
Year of Snake
Mouth of Monkey
Day of Rat
Hour of Rooster
LemurianPriestess on July 22, 2021:
Cancerian Earth Monkey here.
Born in the month of the sheep
Day of the horse
Counting daylight savings time, My rising sign would be a Virgoan Snake, two minutes past the cusp of Dragon/Snake.
Efe on July 22, 2021:
Year.dog
Month:snake
Day:horse
Time:pig
Nooooo I hate pigs
Payel Das on July 21, 2021:
Year: Pig
Month: Rat
Day: Pig
Hour: Rat
Isabelle Hughes on July 18, 2021:
Oh I’m a
Oxen
Rabbit
Horse
Rabbit
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