Chinese Zodiac & Element Calculator
Determine your Chinese zodiac animal, associated element (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth), and Yang/Yin polarity from your birth year.
Results
What is it?
For entertainment purposes only. The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with one of 12 animals (Rat through Pig). Overlaid on the 12-year cycle is a 10-year Heavenly Stems cycle producing 5 elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth), each active for 2 consecutive years. The year's polarity (Yang or Yin) alternates annually. This calculator uses Gregorian birth year; note that the Chinese New Year falls in late January or February, so individuals born before that date should technically use the prior year.
How to use
Enter your birth year. The animal index maps 0?Rat, 1?Ox, � 11?Pig. The element index maps 0?Metal, 1?Water, 2?Wood, 3?Fire, 4?Earth. Yang years are even, Yin years are odd (using the output: 0=Yang, 1=Yin).
Example scenario
1990: animal index = (1990-4) mod 12 = 1986 mod 12 = 6 ? Horse. Element = floor((1986 mod 10) / 2) = floor(6/2) = 3 ? Fire. Polarity: 1990 is even ? Yang. Result: "Metal Horse" � 1990 is specifically a "Metal Horse" year, considered in Chinese astrology as energetic, adventurous, and determined.
Pro tip
The 60-year sexagenary cycle (Ganzhi) is the fundamental unit of Chinese time-keeping, combining all 12 animals � 5 elements � 2 polarities. A complete cycle is 60 years, which is why 60th birthdays are especially celebrated in Chinese culture � you have completed your first full cosmic cycle.