Chinese Month Sign – Calculation by Birth Month – Tutorial
On this page, you can find the logic, usage, and important details of the Chinese Month Sign – Calculation by Birth Month calculator.
What Is the Chinese Month Sign?
In Chinese astrology there are three key "pillars": the year sign, the month sign and the day sign. Most calculators show only the year sign, but in Chinese tradition the month sign (月柱) is just as important for understanding personality, relationships and career.
What Are Solar Term Boundaries (节气)?
The Chinese Solar Calendar divides the year into 24 "solar terms". Every other term marks the start of a new month. Unlike the fixed months of the Western calendar, these start dates are determined by the Sun's position along the ecliptic — they fall on approximately the same date each year (±1–2 days).
| Animal | Symbol | Approximate Period |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | 子 | Dec 7 – Jan 5 |
| Ox | 丑 | Jan 6 – Feb 3 |
| Tiger | 寅 | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Rabbit | 卯 | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Dragon | 辰 | Apr 5 – May 5 |
| Snake | 巳 | May 6 – Jun 5 |
| Horse | 午 | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Goat | 未 | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Monkey | 申 | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Rooster | 酉 | Sep 8 – Oct 7 |
| Dog | 戌 | Oct 8 – Nov 6 |
| Pig | 亥 | Nov 7 – Dec 6 |
How Does This Calculator Work?
- The month and day of your birth date are extracted.
- They are compared against the solar term boundaries above.
- The range you fall into is identified and the corresponding animal is assigned.
If you were born exactly on a boundary date, there may be a ±1-day margin; for precise accuracy you would need to check the exact solar term time for that year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this different from my year sign?
Yes. The month sign does not change every year; it corresponds to approximately the same calendar periods each year.
For example, everyone born between Feb 4 and Mar 5 in any year falls under the Tiger Month.
If I was born exactly on a boundary day (e.g. Feb 4), which sign am I?
This calculator uses only the date, not the solar term time, so if you are right on the boundary there may be a one-day margin of error.
Note: This content is provided for traditional astrological interpretation and entertainment purposes.