Year of the Rabbit
Gentle, elegant, diplomatic. Years, personality, love, work and compatibility of the Rabbit.
The Rabbit is the fourth sign and stands for gentleness, grace and good fortune. In Vietnamese tradition the Cat takes the Rabbit's place, which is one of several regional variations of the zodiac.
Quick answer. You are a Rabbit if you were born in 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035 or any other year in the cycle (every 12 years), from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next one. The latest Rabbit year began on 22 January 2023 and ended on 9 February 2024.
| Order in the zodiac | 4 of 12 |
| Earthly branch | Mao |
| Own element and polarity | Wood, yin |
| Recent years | 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035 |
| Harmonious with | Goat, Pig, Dog |
| Challenging with | Rooster, Dragon |
| Lucky numbers (traditional) | 3, 4, 6 |
| Lucky colours (traditional) | red, pink, purple, blue |
Find your Chinese zodiac sign
Rabbit years: are you a Rabbit?
You are a Rabbit if you were born in a Rabbit year, from its Chinese New Year to the day before the next. Recent Rabbit years are 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. The table lists every Rabbit year from 1900 to 2100 with its exact dates. A January or early February birthday often belongs to the previous animal: Chinese New Year in 2023 was on 22 January 2023, for instance, so anyone born earlier that January was a Tiger.
| Year | Sign | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1903 | Water Rabbit | 29 January 1903 | 15 February 1904 |
| 1915 | Wood Rabbit | 14 February 1915 | 2 February 1916 |
| 1927 | Fire Rabbit | 2 February 1927 | 22 January 1928 |
| 1939 | Earth Rabbit | 19 February 1939 | 7 February 1940 |
| 1951 | Metal Rabbit | 6 February 1951 | 26 January 1952 |
| 1963 | Water Rabbit | 25 January 1963 | 12 February 1964 |
| 1975 | Wood Rabbit | 11 February 1975 | 30 January 1976 |
| 1987 | Fire Rabbit | 29 January 1987 | 16 February 1988 |
| 1999 | Earth Rabbit | 16 February 1999 | 4 February 2000 |
| 2011 | Metal Rabbit | 3 February 2011 | 22 January 2012 |
| 2023 | Water Rabbit | 22 January 2023 | 9 February 2024 |
| 2035 | Wood Rabbit | 8 February 2035 | 27 January 2036 |
| 2047 | Fire Rabbit | 26 January 2047 | 13 February 2048 |
| 2059 | Earth Rabbit | 12 February 2059 | 1 February 2060 |
| 2071 | Metal Rabbit | 31 January 2071 | 18 February 2072 |
| 2083 | Water Rabbit | 17 February 2083 | 5 February 2084 |
| 2095 | Wood Rabbit | 5 February 2095 | 24 January 2096 |
Check a birth year
Rabbit age chart for 2027
How old are people born in Rabbit years in 2027? The age depends on the birthday, so each row gives two ages: the lower one if the birthday in 2027 has not yet come, and the higher one after it.
| Year | Sign | Chinese year | Age in 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Metal Rabbit | 6 February 1951 – 26 January 1952 | 75 or 76 |
| 1963 | Water Rabbit | 25 January 1963 – 12 February 1964 | 63 or 64 |
| 1975 | Wood Rabbit | 11 February 1975 – 30 January 1976 | 51 or 52 |
| 1987 | Fire Rabbit | 29 January 1987 – 16 February 1988 | 39 or 40 |
| 1999 | Earth Rabbit | 16 February 1999 – 4 February 2000 | 27 or 28 |
| 2011 | Metal Rabbit | 3 February 2011 – 22 January 2012 | 15 or 16 |
| 2023 | Water Rabbit | 22 January 2023 – 9 February 2024 | 3 or 4 |
The legend of the Rabbit
In the Great Race, the Rabbit was a poor swimmer and crossed the river by hopping across stepping stones and then a floating log. In many tellings it arrived fourth thanks to quick thinking and a little luck.
Rabbit personality
Rabbits are traditionally described as gentle, polite and artistic, with an eye for beauty and a dislike of conflict. They are cautious, good at keeping the peace and often have a refined sense of style. Their calm manner hides a strong instinct for self-protection.
Strengths
- Tact and diplomacy
- Artistic taste and creativity
- Kindness and compassion
- Careful judgement
- A talent for creating comfort
Weaknesses
- Avoiding conflict
- Over-caution and indecision
- Sensitivity to criticism
- Retreating when things get tense
Rabbit at home and in the family
At home the Rabbit is described as the peacemaker who makes the house comfortable and beautiful. Rabbit parents are thought to be gentle and attentive, and to avoid arguments even when a firm word is needed.
Rabbit as a friend
As a friend the Rabbit is a kind, discreet listener with good taste and good manners. Tradition says Rabbits prefer a few close friends to a crowd and can withdraw quietly when hurt.
Rabbit in love and relationships
In love, the Rabbit is described as tender, loyal and romantic. It wants a peaceful home and a partner who is kind. The usual friction is silence: a Rabbit may withdraw instead of discussing a problem. Tradition suggests partners who are patient and who make it safe to speak.
Rabbit career and work style
Traditional descriptions place the Rabbit in careers that use taste and people skills: design, the arts, diplomacy, teaching, counselling, law and hospitality. Rabbits are said to be careful with money and good at avoiding costly risks.
In a team the Rabbit is described as the diplomat who smooths conflicts and keeps the atmosphere pleasant. It works best in a calm environment and can struggle with confrontation and sudden change.
Rabbit and money
Rabbits are traditionally seen as careful and sensible with money, with an eye for quality and a dislike of risk. They are thought to do well in careers that value judgement and taste.
Rabbit under stress
Under stress a Rabbit is said to retreat, avoid the problem or become anxious and moody. A quiet space, gentle routines and understanding company are the usual suggestions.
Advice for the Rabbit
The traditional advice for a Rabbit is to say what it needs aloud, to face difficult conversations early and to trust itself more.
Rabbit compatibility
In the traditional system the Rabbit is harmonious with Goat, Pig (its trine) and with Dog, its secret friend. Its opposite sign, which tradition calls a clash, is the Rooster, and the Dragon forms a harm pair with it. Every other pairing has no special relationship. These are conversation starters and not predictions.
| Sign | With the Rabbit | What tradition says |
|---|---|---|
| 🐀 Rat | No special relationship | No classical link. The Rabbit’s gentle and the Rat’s quick-witted meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐂 Ox | No special relationship | No classical link. The Rabbit’s gentle and the Ox’s diligent meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐅 Tiger | No special relationship | No classical link. The Rabbit’s gentle and the Tiger’s brave meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐇 Rabbit | Same sign | Two Rabbits share the same strengths and the same blind spots, so they understand each other quickly and can also repeat each other’s habits. |
| 🐉 Dragon | Harm pair | A harm pair. The Rabbit’s gentle and the Dragon’s ambitious can misread each other, so honesty and patience matter. |
| 🐍 Snake | No special relationship | No classical link. The Rabbit’s gentle and the Snake’s wise meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐎 Horse | No special relationship | No classical link. The Rabbit’s gentle and the Horse’s energetic meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐐 Goat | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Rabbit’s gentle goes well with the Goat’s gentle, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
| 🐒 Monkey | No special relationship | No classical link. The Rabbit’s gentle and the Monkey’s clever meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐓 Rooster | Clash: opposite sign | Opposite signs. The Rabbit’s gentle meets the Rooster’s observant, which attracts and irritates in equal measure. |
| 🐕 Dog | Secret friend | Secret friends. The Rabbit’s gentle is balanced by the Dog’s loyal, a bond described as close and complementary. |
| 🐖 Pig | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Rabbit’s gentle goes well with the Pig’s generous, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
Compare two Chinese zodiac signs
The five kinds of Rabbit
The element of the year adds a second layer to the animal. Wood is described as growth and creativity, Fire as passion and leadership, Earth as stability, Metal as discipline and Water as adaptability. Here are the Rabbit years of each element, with how tradition describes each kind. Read more in our guide to the Chinese zodiac elements.
| Sign | Years (1900–2100) | Described as |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Rabbit | 1915, 1975, 2035, 2095 | The Wood Rabbit is described as the most generous and compassionate Rabbit, artistic and sociable, though it can be too eager to please. |
| Fire Rabbit | 1927, 1987, 2047 | The Fire Rabbit is described as more outgoing and expressive, charming and passionate, with a flash of temper beneath the gentleness. |
| Earth Rabbit | 1939, 1999, 2059 | The Earth Rabbit is described as practical and dependable, more grounded than other Rabbits, with a talent for building a secure home. |
| Metal Rabbit | 1951, 2011, 2071 | The Metal Rabbit is described as sharper and more determined, elegant but tough, with a hidden stubborn streak. |
| Water Rabbit | 1903, 1963, 2023, 2083 | The Water Rabbit is described as intuitive and gentle, the most sensitive Rabbit, with a gift for understanding others. |
Famous people born in Rabbit years
Based on publicly reported dates of birth, and using the exact Chinese New Year of each birth year, these well-known people belong to the Rabbit: Brad Pitt (18 December 1963); Lionel Messi (24 June 1987); Michael Jordan (17 February 1963); Jeff Bezos (12 January 1964); Johnny Depp (9 June 1963); Angelina Jolie (4 June 1975); Robin Williams (21 July 1951); Frank Sinatra (12 December 1915). Whether the sign says anything about them is a matter of interpretation.
The Rabbit in 2027, the Year of the Fire Goat
The Rabbit shares a trine with the Goat, one of the groups of three signs that tradition calls harmonious. A Goat year is therefore described as supportive for the Rabbit, a year when cooperation, shared plans and help from friends come more easily. This is folklore, not a forecast. See the Chinese New Year 2027 page for every sign.
Lucky numbers and colours
One commonly quoted list gives the lucky numbers 3, 4, 6 and the lucky colours red, pink, purple, blue for the Rabbit. Such lists differ between sources and belong to popular folklore, not to any fixed rule.
The neighbouring signs
The Tiger comes before the Rabbit and the Dragon comes after it. See all twelve in our guide to the Chinese zodiac.
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Rabbit years?
Recent Rabbit years are 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. Each one runs from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next. For example, the 2023 Rabbit year runs from 22 January 2023 to 9 February 2024. See the years chart for every date.
Am I a Rabbit if I was born in January or February?
Only if your birthday is on or after that year’s Chinese New Year. For example, Chinese New Year in 2023 was on 22 January 2023, so a person born on 10 January 2023 belongs to the previous animal, the Tiger, and not to the Rabbit.
What is the personality of the Rabbit?
Gentle, elegant, diplomatic. Rabbits are traditionally described as gentle, polite and artistic, with an eye for beauty and a dislike of conflict. They are cautious, good at keeping the peace and often have a refined sense of style. Their calm manner hides a strong instinct for self-protection.
What are the Rabbit’s strengths?
Tact and diplomacy; Artistic taste and creativity; Kindness and compassion; Careful judgement; A talent for creating comfort.
What are the Rabbit’s weaknesses?
Avoiding conflict; Over-caution and indecision; Sensitivity to criticism; Retreating when things get tense. Every sign has both strengths and weaknesses in this tradition.
What are the best careers for the Rabbit?
Traditional descriptions place the Rabbit in careers that use taste and people skills: design, the arts, diplomacy, teaching, counselling, law and hospitality. Rabbits are said to be careful with money and good at avoiding costly risks.
How does the Rabbit behave in love?
In love, the Rabbit is described as tender, loyal and romantic. It wants a peaceful home and a partner who is kind. The usual friction is silence: a Rabbit may withdraw instead of discussing a problem. Tradition suggests partners who are patient and who make it safe to speak.
Which signs are compatible with the Rabbit?
Traditionally the Rabbit is harmonious with Goat, Pig and Dog, and challenging with Rooster and Dragon. See the full compatibility chart.
What is the Rabbit’s element?
The Rabbit is a Wood animal and a yin sign. Each year also has its own element, so Rabbit years can be Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. The table on this page lists them all.
How old is a Rabbit in 2027?
People born in 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987 turn 4, 16, 28, 40 in 2027, and are one year younger until their birthday. The table on this page gives the ages for every Rabbit year since 1940.
Which animal comes before and after the Rabbit?
The Tiger comes before the Rabbit and the Dragon comes after it.
What are the Rabbit’s lucky numbers and colours?
One commonly quoted list gives the numbers 3, 4, 6 and the colours red, pink, purple, blue. Such lists differ between sources and belong to folklore.
Other signs
For culture and entertainment. The Chinese zodiac is a traditional system of folklore and symbolism. It cannot predict events, and it is not medical, financial, legal or relationship advice. See the full disclaimer.