The Chinese zodiac is a cultural tradition, shared here for reflection, not as a prediction or a Buddhist teaching.
The Rabbit in Chinese tradition
The Rabbit is the fourth animal. In Chinese folklore a rabbit lives on the moon, which is why it appears on Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns and mooncake boxes. The Rabbit stands for gentleness, grace and a love of peace. (In Vietnam, this place in the cycle belongs to the cat.)
Traits traditionally linked with the Rabbit
Tradition describes people born in Rabbit years as:
- Kind and gentle
- Diplomatic and tactful
- Thoughtful with details
- Creates calm around them
And, like everyone, with a few growing edges:
- Can avoid conflict too long
- May worry quietly
- Finds it hard to say no
Treat these as a mirror, not a destiny. In the Buddhist view, character grows from what we intend and do each day.
Rabbit years
The zodiac year begins at the Lunar New Year, in late January or February. If your birthday falls before that date, your animal is the one from the year before.
- 1939Earth Rabbitfrom Feb 19
- 1951Metal Rabbitfrom Feb 6
- 1963Water Rabbitfrom Jan 25
- 1975Wood Rabbitfrom Feb 11
- 1987Fire Rabbitfrom Jan 29
- 1999Earth Rabbitfrom Feb 16
- 2011Metal Rabbitfrom Feb 3
- 2023Water Rabbitfrom Jan 22
Compatible animals, in tradition
Tradition groups the animals into four "trines" of natural allies. The Rabbit's trine is the Goat and the Pig. Its "secret friend" is the Dog, and the sign said to clash with it is the Rooster, six places away in the cycle. These pairings are folklore; any two people can grow a good friendship with patience and care.
A practice for the Rabbit
Calm is worth protecting. A simple evening ritual gives a gentle heart a place to set down what it has been carrying.
Protect your calm: a short evening ritual to put the day down. Try the 10-minute evening ritual.
Want to check your animal from your full birth date? Use the zodiac animal finder.