Chinese Zodiac
What Chinese Zodiac Year Is It?
The current animal year with its exact start and end, today's date in the Chinese calendar, and a lookup for any birthday.
Quick Answer
The Year of the Fire Horse (丙午, Bing Wu) runs from February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027. It is the Yang Fire year of the sexagenary cycle. The next Lunar New Year is on February 6, 2027, when the Year of the Fire Goat begins.
Computed October 3, 2026 at 19:17 UTC. This page regenerates hourly.
Today in the Chinese Calendar
- Date in Beijing
- Lunar date
- Eighth month, day 24, Year of the Fire Horse
- Day pillar
- Xin Hai (辛亥), Metal Pig
- Month pillar
- Ding You (丁酉)
- Solar term
- Autumn Equinox (Qiufen, 秋分)
- Next term
- Cold Dew,
Tai Sui Signs for 2026
Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
The animal year starts at Lunar New Year, not January 1. Enter a birthday to get the right animal, the lunar date and the BaZi pillars.
The 12 Animals in the Current Cycle
Each year with its exact start and end. Born before Lunar New Year? You belong to the previous animal.
| Animal Year | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Metal Rat 庚子 | ||
| 2021 Metal Ox 辛丑 | ||
| 2022 Water Tiger 壬寅 | ||
| 2023 Water Rabbit 癸卯 | ||
| 2024 Wood Dragon 甲辰 | ||
| 2025 Wood Snake 乙巳 | ||
| 2026 Fire Horse 丙午 | ||
| 2027 Fire Goat 丁未 | ||
| 2028 Earth Monkey 戊申 | ||
| 2029 Earth Rooster 己酉 | ||
| 2030 Metal Dog 庚戌 | ||
| 2031 Metal Pig 辛亥 |
Next: Chinese New Year 2027 begins the Year of the Fire Goat. See Chinese New Year 2027
Upcoming Solar Terms
The 24 solar terms mark the Sun's path and set the months of a BaZi chart.
| Solar Term | Begins |
|---|---|
| Cold Dew Hanlu, 寒露 | |
| Frost's Descent Shuangjiang, 霜降 | |
| Start of Winter Lidong, 立冬 | |
| Minor Snow Xiaoxue, 小雪 | |
| Major Snow Daxue, 大雪 | |
| Winter Solstice Dongzhi, 冬至 |
All 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
How These Dates Are Calculated
Dates are computed astronomically, following the rules of the modern Chinese calendar (GB/T 33661-2017): days in China Standard Time (UTC+8), months starting on the day of the new moon, the winter solstice always in the eleventh month, and leap months placed in the first month without a principal solar term. Solar terms are the moments the Sun reaches each 15 degree point of its path, computed with the Astronomy Engine library. Years before 1929 used Beijing local time, so a handful of historical dates can differ by one day from older almanacs.
Questions About the Chinese Zodiac
What Chinese Zodiac Year Is It?
The Year of the Fire Horse (丙午, Bing Wu) runs from February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027. It is the Yang Fire year of the sexagenary cycle. The next Lunar New Year is on February 6, 2027, when the Year of the Fire Goat begins.
When Is Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 is on February 6, 2027. It begins the Year of the Fire Goat (丁未), which lasts until January 25, 2028.
What Is Today's Date in the Chinese Calendar?
Today in Beijing (October 4, 2026) is the eighth month, day 24 of the Year of the Fire Horse, a Xin Hai (辛亥) day. The current solar term is Autumn Equinox (Qiufen), and Cold Dew begins on October 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM Beijing time (06:29 UTC).
Which Signs Are in Conflict With Tai Sui This Year?
In the Year of the Fire Horse, the signs traditionally said to be in conflict with Tai Sui, the year's ruling deity, are Horse (birth year and punishment), Rat (clash), Ox (harm) and Rabbit (break).
Why Does My Chinese Zodiac Depend on My Birthday in January or February?
Your Chinese zodiac animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on January 1. Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20, so anyone born in January or early February may belong to the previous year's animal. BaZi (Four Pillars) charts use a second boundary, the solar term Li Chun (Start of Spring), on February 3, 4 or 5. Look up your exact birth date to see both.
How Are These Dates Calculated?
Dates are computed astronomically, following the rules of the modern Chinese calendar (GB/T 33661-2017): days in China Standard Time (UTC+8), months starting on the day of the new moon, the winter solstice always in the eleventh month, and leap months placed in the first month without a principal solar term. Solar terms are the moments the Sun reaches each 15 degree point of its path, computed with the Astronomy Engine library. Years before 1929 used Beijing local time, so a handful of historical dates can differ by one day from older almanacs.
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