Methodology & editorial standards
How Zodiac Compass works
Zodiac Compass is a free reference tool for checking a Chinese zodiac animal by full birth date. This page explains what we calculate, what we do not claim, and where to verify the calendar logic.
1. The calculation rule
A Chinese zodiac year does not begin on January 1. It begins on Chinese New Year. When you enter a date, we compare it with the Chinese New Year date in that Gregorian year. Births before the boundary belong to the previous zodiac year; births on or after it belong to the new zodiac year.
We then map that zodiac year to the traditional twelve-animal sequence: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The five-element label is calculated from the traditional ten-stem cycle, which repeats with the animal cycle every sixty years.
2. Scope and checks
- The current calculator supports Gregorian birth dates from 1900 through 2100.
- It validates the entered date before calculating a result.
- It uses an ISO date comparison to avoid browser-timezone shifts around the New Year boundary.
- For January and early-February birthdays, use the full date rather than a birth-year chart.
3. Sources and implementation
The site uses the open-source solarlunar calendar conversion library to obtain Chinese New Year dates within the supported range. The twelve-animal and five-element cycles are implemented transparently in the siteโs calculation logic.
For broader historical context, we recommend comparing cultural descriptions with museum, library, or academic references. A useful starting point is Encyclopaedia Britannica's overview of the Chinese zodiac.
We review calculator behavior when the supported calendar range or underlying library changes. If you spot a date that appears incorrect, please contact us with the full date and source you used so we can investigate it.
4. Editorial policy
We write original explanatory material to help visitors understand the calendar and cultural vocabulary around the zodiac. Personality traits, compatibility, lucky details, and horoscopes are presented as traditional or entertainment-oriented content.
Zodiac Compass does not provide financial, medical, legal, relationship, or professional advice. Do not make important decisions solely from a zodiac result.