Work out chinese zodiac year instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
The Chinese zodiac cycles twelve animals, with 2020 being the Rat, so 2026 is the Horse. A separate five-element cycle pairs with it over sixty years, making 2026 a Fire Horse year. The same animal returns every twelve years, but the same animal and element combination only every sixty - the traditional lifespan measure.
Animal
index = (year - 2020) mod 12, starting from Rat
Sexagenary cycle
animal and element repeat together every 60 years
No - it begins at Chinese New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February, so early-year births belong to the previous animal.
Because twelve animals and ten heavenly stems repeat together only at their least common multiple, which is sixty.