Chinese Animal Tattoo Designs

The animals of the Chinese tradition and calendar are all powerful symbols of a persons character. We will take you through all of these individual personalities and which years they represent.

Year of the Rat

Rats are the critical writers of this world, they can be quick tempered and critical. However, they are also generous to the ones they love, imaginative and charming.

Years - 1924    1936    1948    1960    1972    1984    1996    2008

Year of the Ox

Oxen are our leaders, they easily inspire confidence to the masses and all who meet them, but with this power they can be demanding. They are also very good with their hands.

Years - 1925    1937    1949    1961    1973    1985    1997    2009

Year of the Tiger

Tigers are adventurers and explorers, they take initiative and are charming. Tigers will take risks and tend not to think before they act. (photo by Slavik Gormah)

Years - 1926    1938    1950    1962    1974    1986    1998    2010

Year of the Rabbit

Rabbits are good friends, they are affectionate and good to be with. They do have to be careful not to get too sentimental and seem to be superficial.

Year - 1927    1939    1951    1963    1975    1987    1999    2011

Year of the Dragon

Dragons are the life and soul of the party, they love life and are enthusiastic. However, the dragon in Chinese folklore is a little different than in Japanese (for more information of Japanese Tattoo Designs see Japanese Tattoos). The dragon is a symbol of protection in Buddhism from the 9th Century. Dragons were powerfully magical and controlled thunder and lightening storms, this is shown by the pearl in its mouth. They eventually became the symbol of the emperor as in many stories the dragons were representative of guidance, wealth, peace and even fertility.

Years - 1928    1940    1952    1964    1976    1988    2000    2012

Year of the Snake

If you are looking for a romantic, find a partner from the year of the snake. They are wise and charming. However, they are not very generous with their money and can dismiss some people quickly.

Years - 1929    1941    1953    1965    1977    1989    2001    2013

Year of the Horse

Horses are hard workers and independent. Even though they are intelligent and friendly but they can tend to be selfish.

Years - 1930    1942    1954    1966    1978    1990    2002    2014

Year of the Sheep

Sheep are the creative types, they are elegant and artistic but like their home comforts. However, beware as they can be complainers and worriers.

Years - 1931    1943    1955    1967    1979    1991    2003    2015

Year of the Monkey

Everyone wants to be a monkey, they are intelligent and find friends easily. They often will find success in what ever they try. (photo by Wong Mei Teng)

Years - 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016

Year of the Rooster

Roosters work hard for what they believe in and make hard decisions but always stick to them. They know their own minds but can come across as proud

Years - 1933    1945    1957    1969    1981    1993    2005     2017

Year of the Dog

Dogs are very loyal to their loved ones, but they are worriers and pick up faults in other people.

Years - 1934    1946    1958    1970    1982    1994    2006    2018

Year of the Boar

Those from the year of the boar make the best of friends, they are honest but have high expectations from everyone else and so can be disappointed.

Years - 1935    1947    1959    1971    1983    1995    2007    2019