Think you know astrology? Think again. You might know your Western zodiac, but the Chinese zodiac takes a different tack. The Shēngxiào is the Chinese zodiac system based on the Chinese lunar calendar, yīnyáng lì. While Lunar New Year is a broad term used for New Year celebrations that follow lunar calendars across several Asian cultures, Chinese New Year refers specifically to the celebration tied to the Chinese calendar. In the Shēngxiào, each year is assigned an animal in a repeating 12-year cycle, along with an element determined by the final digit of your birth year. Unlike the Western zodiac, which assigns signs based on constellations and months, the Chinese zodiac changes its animal sign each year. When it comes to predicting personality traits or life outcomes, the focus is on the year of birth rather than the month. Therefore, if you were born in March 2004, your zodiac would be the Wood Monkey instead of simply a Pisces. So saddle up, because 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse.
The Shēngxiào is based around the story of the Great Race. According to legend, the Jade Emperor wanted to create a calendar and ordered animals to race across a fast-flowing river, naming the twelve zodiac years after the first twelve animals to cross the river based on their finishing order. The order is thus: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. In other legends, either the Buddha or the Jade Emperor invites all the animals to a banquet rather than a race, and those that attend are featured in the zodiac. The characteristics of each animal are said to correspond to traits of those born in each sign’s year, influencing such things as personalities, relationships, and careers. Certain signs are said to be more compatible with others and are based around how the animals interacted with each other during the race.
Alongside the cycle of animals, the Chinese zodiac incorporates a system of elements. In ancient Chinese cosmology, the concept of wuxing describes the five fundamental elements: earth, wood, metal, fire, and water. These elements form the underlying structure of the universe and their cycles help explain cosmic change. Combine an element with an animal and you get unique pairings like Wood Snake or Metal Monkey, adding extra detail to the zodiac and giving each year its own distinctive energy. The element is determined by the last digit of the birth year: 0/1 (Metal), 2/3 (Water), 4/5 (Wood), 6/7 (Fire), or 8/9 (Earth).
The Chinese zodiac can also give a heads-up about more difficult or tricky years. Every twelve years, your own zodiac sign comes around again, called ben ming nian, and it is considered an unlucky year, so people tend to be extra careful rather than celebrating. On top of that, each year in the 60-year cycle is watched over by a celestial deity called Tai Sui. During your own zodiac year, you’re in fan Tai Sui, which means you might clash with the deity and run into more challenges than usual. So, watch out for your 24th birthday!
The Year of the Fire Horse begins on 17 February with the Chinese New Year, but what does that mean for the rest of the year? The Year of the Horse represents a drive for forward motion, urging one to move quickly and seize opportunities when they come. However, the horse is also known for endurance, symbolising the ability to overcome challenges through strength. Combining the horse and fire element often creates a faster pace of life and a stronger drive to achieve, making it especially important to stay attuned to your body’s limits.
So this year, put yourself out there and make the most of every opportunity, but remember to not get left in the dust after the chaos.
Visual: Jemma Thomson
