How To Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
If you're an astrology fan, you've probably taken a look at the Chinese zodiac. The zodiac consists of 12 signs that last for a year each and are represented by different animals. There's some minor discrepancies between the versions of the Chinese zodiac legend but the gist of the story is that 12 animals went on a race and the outcome of the competition dictated the order of the zodiac sign (via the University of Washington).
During the race, the smart Rat climbed on the back of the Ox to cross a river and as soon as they got to the shore, the Rat jumped off and finished the race in first place. The ox came second, followed by the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat/Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, and Dog. The last one to arrive was the Pig, who stopped in the middle of the race to eat and sleep and didn't arrive at the finish line until much later than the other contestants.
This year, we're in the Year of the Ox, which means we're only in Year 2 of the current zodiac cycle. We will start a new cycle in 2032.
Knowing your Chinese zodiac sign can give you a better insight about yourself
Before figuring out what's your Chinese zodiac sign, you must take into account that the Lunar New Year changes dates annually. The festivity takes place around the last days of January and the first days of February. If your birthday falls within those dates, you'll have to first find out when the Lunar New Year took place in your birth year to determine your zodiac sign (via Travel China Guide). Now, if your birthday is any other time of the year, a quick Google search for "Chinese zodiac sign" plus your year of birth should give you an accurate answer.
Just like the Western zodiac signs, knowing your Chinese zodiac can help you illuminate parts of your life and personality. The Ox is known for loving the routine and being thoughtful while the Tiger is unpredictable and ready for action, per Cosmopolitan. The Dragon is purpose-driven with the goal of making a big impact, while the Snake may seem focused on their own thoughts.
If you don't know yet what your Chinese zodiac sign is, go find out. It can help you understand yourself better.