In 2026, Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, begins on 17 February1. As you gear up for the upcoming Year of the Horse, you may rush to consult the Korean zodiac to project your fortune. That's not exactly how Korean people apply their zodiac culture, a concept we'll explore in this article. For now, this overview introduces the Korean zodiac animals: their names, some of their dominant characteristics, and birth years.
| 🐱Animal | 🔊Korean pronunciation | 🌟Characteristics | 📅Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse - 쥐띠 | jwi - jwi tti | Imaginative Inquisitive Sociable Agile | 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| Cow - 소띠 | so - so tti | Trustworthy Patient Efficient Rational; | 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| Tiger - 호랑이띠 | horangi - horangi tti | Independent Adventurous Outgoing Competitive | 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 |
| Rabbit - 토끼띠 | tokki tokki tti | Sensible Rational Hard-working Quick-witted | 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 |
| Dragon - 용띠 | yong yong tti | Generous Outgoing Active Self-assertive | 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 |
| Snake - 뱀띠 | baem baem tti | Intuitive Calm Charismatic Graceful | 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 |
| Horse - 말띠 | mal mal tti | Independent Realistic Stubborn Persuasive | 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 |
| Sheep - 양띠 | yang yang tti | Friendly Adaptable Considerate Peaceful | 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 |
| Monkey - 원숭이띠 | wonsungi wonsungi tti | Confident Versatile Quick Observant | 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 |
| Rooster - 닭띠 | dak - dak tti | Sensitive Intelligent Kind Faithful | 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 |
| Dog - 개띠 | gae - gae tti | Loyal Trustworthy Understanding Responsible | 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 |
| Pig - 돼지띠 | daweji - daweji tti | Honest Fair Attentive Brave | 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 |
How Did The Korean Zodiac Come to Be?
Like many aspects of Korean life, Chinese culture had a substantial impact on the Korean zodiac. In fact, the Korean zodiac grew out of the Chinese system. Granted, some of the animal names are slightly different; the Chinese rat versus the Korean mouse, for example. Still, the principals remain: 12 animals, in the same order, each of which takes the lead beginning with every Lunar New Year.
The Korean zodiac mythology is essentially the same as the Chinese.
The gods wanted to see which animal could cross the river the fastest2.
So, they had all the animals enter the river at the same time. The mouse jumped on the cow's back, only jumping off when the cow reached the shore, racing ahead to claim first place.
That put the cow in second place, followed by the water-hating tiger.
The rabbit, the Korean zodiac's lucky animal, followed shortly after. And so, the animals came, one by one, their arrivals proclaiming their place in the zodiac line.
The Korean zodiac mythology isn't as fleshed out as its Chinese counterpart.
We don't know what cleverness, trickery or indolence shaped the rest of the animals' arrivals. That's due, in part, to regional retellings. Some people stick with the Chinese origin story while others suggest other reasons for this outcome.
The 12 Korean Zodiac Animals and Their Characteristics
As hinted at in this article's introduction, the zodiac has different uses in Korean culture than most other zodiac interpretations. Here, rather than predict what the next year will be like for us, we use it as a way to get to know someone's character and determine their age.
In Korean culture, one's age determines their place in the social ranks.
For instance, a younger person must address their elders using honorifics. By contrast, being even a few months older than the person you're talking to allows you to address them casually.
Going deeper into the importance of age in Korean culture is far beyond this article's scope. For our purposes, it's enough to say that pinning down one's birth data is supremely important. The Korean zodiac is especially valuable in that regard. Now, let's meet the animals.
🐁 Mouse - 쥐띠
Mouse years: 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Unlike other Korean zodiac animals, mouse characteristics are all positive. In general, people born in the Year of the Mouse are:
- fun
- fashionable
- sociable
- imaginative
- inquisitive
- philosophical
- smart
- agile
- introverted
A sample sentence to describe Mouse people:
Jwittiui sarameun sangsangnyeogi pungbuhamyeo sagyoseongi joseumnida.
A person born in the Year of the Mouse is highly imaginative and sociable.
🐮 Cow - 소띠
Cow years: 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Like the mouse, the cow has no negative characteristics (unless you consider 'slow' a negative trait.) These traits describe those born in the Year of the Cow:
- authoritative
- rational
- systematic
- calm and patient
- trustworthy
- efficient
- warm
- independent
- slow
You can describe a Cow person this way:
Sottiui sarameun mideumjikseureopgiro yumyeonghamnida.
A person born in the Year of the Cow is renowned for being patient.
🐯 Tiger - 호랑이띠
Tiger years: 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Now, we start to see questionable personality traits creeping in. The tiger needs to win and can be quite stubborn. Otherwise, Tiger people are:
- competitive
- independent
- adventurous
- outgoing
- honest
- optimistic
- assertive
- intolerant of injustice
Despite those two negative traits, Tigers are quite moral and just. Here's how you can describe the Tigers in your life:
Horangittiui sarameun juro dongnipsimi hago jeokgeukjeogin seonggyeogeul gajyeotseumnida.
A person born in the Year of the Tiger has a highly independent and outgoing personality.
🐇 Rabbit - 토끼띠
Rabbit years: 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
As Korea's lucky animal, the rabbit has nothing but good characteristics:
- rational
- gentle
- hard-working
- honest
- sympathetic
- intellectual
- gentle
- quick-witted
- sensible
To show off your knowledge of Korean zodiac animals, say:
Tokkineun Hanguk Hwangdodae-ui haengun-ui dongmulida.
Rabbits are lucky animals of the Korean zodiac.
🐉 Dragon - 용띠
Dragon years: 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
The dragon, traditionally an imperial symbol, boasts traits fit for rulers:
- straightforward
- outgoing
- self-assertive
- arrogant
- impatient
- talkative
- active
- lucky
- perfectionist
- generous
As you can see, dragons are a mixed bag, with nearly as many good as 'less-than' qualities. To introduce a dragon, it's best to stay on the positive side:
Yongttiui sarameun oehyangjeogigo hwaldongjeogida.
A person born in the Year of the Dragon is outgoing and active.
🐍 Snake - 뱀띠
Snake years: 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Western cultures think of snakes as vile creatures but, in Korea, they have lovely characteristics:
- calm
- charismatic
- graceful
- intuitive
- quiet
- romantic
- humble
- self-critical
- jealous
Well, lovely except for those last two. Still, you can be honest about snakes:
Baemttiui sarameun romaentikajiman swipge jiltusimeul neukkinda.
A person born in the Year of the Snake is romantic but easily gets jealous.
🐴 Horse - 말띠
Horse years: 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
As the coming year is the Year of the Horse, you should learn the many ways you can extend your greetings in Korean. If you are of a Horse Year, tell us in the comments if these traits match your personality:
- individualistic
- independent
- persuasive
- sociable
- cheerful
- honest
- realistic
- stubborn
- short-tempered
Can you relate to any of these qualities? If so, say:
Malttiui sarameun sahoeseongi itgo myeongnanghadago allyeojyeo itda.
A person born in the Year of the Horse is believed to be sociable and cheerful.
🐑 Sheep - 양띠
Sheep years: 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
In Korea, as in China, the sheep is not very well regarded. In fact, it has nearly as many questionable traits as positive ones:
- friendly
- adaptable
- considerate
- peaceful
- gracious
- timid
- weak-willed
- pessimistic
- unpredictable
Be nice to the sheep in your life! Describe them like this:
Yangttiui sarameun chinjeolhago ihaesimi manseumnida.
A person born in the Year of the Sheep is friendly and considerate.
🐵 Monkey - 원숭이띠
Monkey years: 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
The monkey, mischievous across cultures, boasts these traits:
- confident
- observant
- independent
- imaginative
- opportunistic
- stern
- arrogant
- vain
Monkeys are also quick and versatile. Here's how to compliment the monkeys in your life.
Wonsungittiui sarameun dajaedaneungin saramimnida.
A person who was born in the year of the monkey is versatile.
🐓 Rooster - 닭띠
Rooster years: 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
The crowing rooster has a lot going for them, a fine blend of good and not-so-good traits:
- intelligent
- kind
- faithful
- sensitive
- braggart
- impatient
- meticulous
- pure-hearted
Roosters, for all their crowing, are remarkably bad at lying. You can say that in Korean:
Dalttiui sarameun geojinmareul jal mot hamnida.
A person born in the Year of the Rooster is not good at lying.
🐕🦺 Dog - 개띠
Dog years: 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Personal characteristics of people born during Dog years mirror all the qualities we assign to our four-legged friends:
- devoted
- trustworthy
- responsible
- understanding
- honest
- passionate
- defensive
- serious-minded
- pugnacious
Here's how you can describe your dog friends:
Gaettiui sarameun saenggagi gipseumnida.
A person born in the Year of the Dog is serious.
🐷 Pig - 돼지띠
Pig years: 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
For us, pigs are fat, lazy, and gluttonous. If they snack on delicious Korean New Year dishes, one could hardly blame them! Still, contrary to the negative pig traits in Western cultures, Korean zodiac pigs paint a very different picture. Pigs are:
- honest
- brave
- polite
- gallant
- fair
- impulsive
- simple
- gullible
- attentive
Dwaejittiui sarameun hangsang ssikssikamnida.
A person born in the Year of the Pig is always gallant.
Combining Korean Zodiac Animals and Elements
Come Lunar New Year, some might imagine Korean families gathering for a nifty zodiac-based Korean New Year game (there's no such thing, sadly).
Still, Korean zodiac signs3 have one more fun trick up their sleeve.
It's called the sexagenary cycle, or yuksipgapja (육십간지) - literally '60 zodiac signs'. It involves pairing each animal with each of the five elements. In order, they are: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
But the math doesn't add up to 60 yet (12 animals x 5 elements = 30 years). We must also factor in alternating yin and yang energies.
These powers work on the elements which, in turn, influence the animals. That's how we arrive at yuksipgapja: 2(12 x 5) = 60
2025 is a yin wood snake year.
Next year will be a yang fire horse year.
Keeping the energy, elements, and animals straight is easy once you know the pattern.
But what does that look like in real terms? This chart presents one 12-year cycle to give you an idea of this millennia-old system for marking time. This pattern repeats five times, until each animal has been paired with each element. The 60-year cycle will then start anew.
| 📆Year | ☯Yang or yin? | 5️⃣Element | 🐱Animal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting 19 Feb 1996 | yang | fire | mouse |
| Starting 07 Feb 1997 | yin | fire | cow |
| Starting 28 Jan 1998 | yang | earth | tiger |
| Starting 16 Feb 1999 | yin | earth | rabbit |
| Starting 05 Feb 2000 | yang | metal | dragon |
| Starting 24 Jan 2001 | yin | metal | snake |
| Starting 12 Feb 2002 | yang | water | horse |
| Starting 01 Feb 2003 | yin | water | sheep |
| Starting 22 Jan 2004 | yang | wood | monkey |
| Starting 09 Feb 2005 | yin | wood | rooster |
| Starting 30 Jan 2006 | yang | fire | dog |
| Starting 18 Feb 2007 | yin | fire | pig |
References
- Author blabla https://press.babbel.com/shared/downloads/studies_research/Babbel-Spanish-2018-Study.pdf
- Sho Chang-young. “The Year of Eulsa.” Koreatimes.co.kr, The Korea Times, 22 Jan. 2025, www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20250122/the-year-of-eulsa. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
- Korean Folk Museum. “National Folk Museum of Korea - 영어 > Collection > Folk Story > the Story of the Twelve Animals of the Korean Zodiac.” Nfm.go.kr, 2024, www.nfm.go.kr/english/subIndex/981.do. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
- Korean, Class101. “12 Korean Zodiac Elements and Their Personality Traits.” KoreanClass101.com Blog, 3 July 2020, www.koreanclass101.com/blog/2020/07/03/12-korean-zodiac-elements-and-their-personality-traits/. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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