Jade
Observatory

26 August 2026

12 Chinese Zodiac Signs

When Is Chinese New Year?

Check why Chinese New Year changes date and why that boundary determines a person's Chinese zodiac year.

Chinese New Year falls on a different Gregorian date each year — always between 21 January and 20 February — because the traditional calendar is lunisolar. It begins the lunar year used by this site's animal-sign calculator.

If a person was born in January or early February, compare the birth date with that year's Chinese New Year before assigning an animal.