Chinese Zodiac Year Lookup

In Chinese astrology, your Ben Ming Nian (本命年) — or "zodiac year of birth" — occurs every 12 years when the zodiac animal of your birth year returns. For example, if you were born in the Year of the Rat, every Rat year is your Ben Ming Nian. Traditional Chinese belief holds that Ben Ming Nian is a challenging year — it's believed that the God of Age (Tai Sui) is displeased during your zodiac year, bringing potential obstacles and bad luck. Many Chinese people wear red underwear, red socks, and red bracelets during their Ben Ming Nian to ward off misfortune. Despite the superstitions, many also see it as a year of growth and transformation. Use our tool to check if this year is your Ben Ming Nian!