Rabbit years in our 1924–2035 reference are 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. The sign changes at Chinese New Year. A January or February birthday can belong to the preceding animal year; check the full dates below.
Both dates are included. These are Chinese civil calendar dates (UTC+8), with Chinese New Year as the boundary. The linked year calendars show the full Gregorian year.
| Gregorian Year | Lunar New Year | Year ends | Stem & Branch (干支) | Year stem element |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 丁卯 | Fire | ||
| 1939 | 己卯 | Earth | ||
| 1951 | 辛卯 | Metal | ||
| 1963 | 癸卯 | Water | ||
| 1975 | 乙卯 | Wood | ||
| 1987 | 丁卯 | Fire | ||
| 1999 | 己卯 | Earth | ||
| 2011 | 辛卯 | Metal | ||
| 2023 | 癸卯 | Water | ||
| 2035 | 乙卯 | Wood |
This page uses the Chinese calendar in UTC+8: Rabbit for 卯 and Ox for 丑. Vietnamese tradition uses Cat for Mão and Water Buffalo for Sửu. Vietnamese calendar dates use UTC+7 and can differ, so translating a branch name does not convert the calendar.
The table gives the heavenly stem element. Vietnamese mệnh/nạp âm is a separate classification; it is not calculated here.
Cultural reference: the lunar zodiac (V&A)The branch 卯 has the fixed element Wood. In 1999, the year name is 己卯: its first character, 己, gives the year stem element Earth. The animal repeats every 12 years; the same stem-branch pair repeats every 60 years.
A year stem element describes one part of the traditional chart. A BaZi Day Master comes from the day stem, so the birth year alone does not identify it.
Background: stems, branches and the 60-year cycle (ChinaCulture)These examples use the Chinese civil calendar. Compare the two conventions rather than assuming that January 1 or February 4 is always the cutoff.
On 1987-01-28, the Chinese New Year sign is still Tiger. From 1987-01-29 through 1988-02-16, inclusive, it is Rabbit.
For 1987-01-29, the Chinese New Year convention gives Rabbit; the Li Chun convention gives Tiger. That year, Chinese New Year is 1987-01-29, while Li Chun occurs at 1987-02-04 16:51:40 (UTC+8).
Check 1987 in the HKO calendarOn 1999-02-15, the Chinese New Year sign is still Tiger. From 1999-02-16 through 2000-02-04, inclusive, it is Rabbit.
For 1999-02-15, the Chinese New Year convention gives Tiger; the Li Chun convention gives Rabbit. That year, Chinese New Year is 1999-02-16, while Li Chun occurs at 1999-02-04 14:57:03 (UTC+8).
Check 1999 in the HKO calendarOn 2011-02-02, the Chinese New Year sign is still Tiger. From 2011-02-03 through 2012-01-22, inclusive, it is Rabbit.
For 2011-02-03, the Chinese New Year convention gives Rabbit; the Li Chun convention gives Tiger. That year, Chinese New Year is 2011-02-03, while Li Chun occurs at 2011-02-04 12:32:56 (UTC+8).
Check 2011 in the HKO calendarLi Chun has an exact time. These examples avoid the changeover day; a birth on that day needs a time-based BaZi calculation. The date-only zodiac calculator compares civil days.
Boundary conventions: Hong Kong Observatory explanationThe traits, lucky colors and numbers below are cultural associations. They do not establish a person’s character or predict outcomes.
Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are gentle, considerate, and naturally refined. Known for their artistic sensibility and diplomatic tact, they serve as thoughtful peacemakers in any group. They prize harmony and tranquility, navigating complex dynamics with poise and grace.
In Chinese calendrical culture, the year transition can be observed using two distinct traditions: the civil Lunar New Year (celebrated with fireworks and family feasts) and the astronomical solar term Li Chun (Start of Spring, used in traditional astrology and BaZi).
Traditional Chinese cultural customs for your 12-year animal return
In Chinese cultural folklore, the year your zodiac animal returns every 12 years is called Ben Ming Nian (本命年), when one meets Tai Sui (the Guardian Deity of the Year). Traditional customs recommend wearing red accessories—such as red string bracelets, red belts, or red socks—and carrying jade emblems gifted by friends or family to invite positive harmony and auspicious fortune.
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Learn about the personality traits, luck, and meaning of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals.