The Pig in the Chinese zodiac
The Pig is twelfth and last in the cycle and pairs with the Hai hour at night. In Chinese culture it stands for plenty and a comfortable home, so popular readings stress generosity and enjoyment.
The Pig closes the cycle and pairs with the earthly branch Hai (亥), the hours from 9 pm to 11 pm, just before the Rat starts everything over again. Twelve years later you are back at the beginning. A Pig year starts at Chinese New Year, which sits in late January or February.
The Han dynasty Lunheng by Wang Chong lists the pig (written 豕, shǐ in that book) as the animal for Hai. A frequently repeated observation is that the character for home (家) shows a pig under a roof, which suggests how central the animal was to a household, though scholars debate the details of that origin.
In everyday culture, the pig is linked with abundance, and piggy-shaped banks and festive pork dishes express that. Modern popular readings call Pig people generous, relaxed and good at enjoying life, with a warm, trusting streak.
As a reflection, notice where you give freely and where you would like to be given to in return.
For entertainment and reflection only. Not medical, financial, or legal advice.
Zodiac year dates
Years begin at Lunar New Year, not January 1. A birthday before the start date belongs to the previous animal year.
Dates follow the Chinese calendar in China. If your birthday falls within one day of Lunar New Year, check the boundary notice in your chart.
| Year | Starts | Ends (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| 1911 | ||
| 1923 | ||
| 1935 | ||
| 1947 | ||
| 1959 | ||
| 1971 | ||
| 1983 | ||
| 1995 | ||
| 2007 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2031 | ||
| 2043 | ||
| 2055 | ||
| 2067 | ||
| 2079 | ||
| 2091 |
Calculated from our bundled Lunar New Year table; 1901–2100 dates checked against the Hong Kong Observatory calendar tables.
Sources
Lunheng (論衡) ch. 14 Wushi (物勢篇), the passage pairing earthly branches with animals
- 論衡 (Lunheng), chapter 14 物勢篇 (Wushi)Wang Chong (王充)
- Lunabao original writing