How it works
- 1Twelve animals, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Each birth year belongs to one.
- 2The year starts at Lunar New Year, not 1 January. Born in January or early February? You may belong to the previous animal. We check the exact date for you.
- 3Five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) rotate every two years, so 2024 was a Wood Dragon.
Korean zodiac signs and years
| Animal | Korean | Years (from Lunar New Year) |
|---|
Korean zodiac elements
| Element | Korean | Years ending in |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | 목 木 | 4, 5 |
| Fire | 화 火 | 6, 7 |
| Earth | 토 土 | 8, 9 |
| Metal | 금 金 | 0, 1 |
| Water | 수 水 | 2, 3 |
Count the year from Lunar New Year: someone born in January 2000 before Lunar New Year belongs to 1999 (Earth).
FAQ
Is the Korean zodiac the same as the Chinese zodiac?
The animals and order are the same. Korea calls the Goat 양 and uses its own lunar calendar, which almost always matches the Chinese one.
Why does my result differ from my birth year?
If you were born before that year's Lunar New Year, you belong to the previous year's animal. For example, someone born on 4 February 2000 is a Rabbit, not a Dragon.
How do Koreans use 띠?
Mostly as small talk: "What's your 띠?" is a gentle way to compare ages, since people born 12 years apart share an animal.
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