Asian Zodiac vs. Western Zodiac: What's the Difference?

How do the two zodiacs compare?

Both have twelve signs, but they measure very different things:

• Asian zodiac: twelve animals, one per lunar year, repeating every twelve years
• Western zodiac: twelve signs, each covering about a month, repeating every year
• Asian elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water, tied to the year
• Western elements: fire, earth, air and water, tied to the sign

Where does each zodiac come from?

The Asian zodiac grew out of the Chinese lunar calendar and spread across much of Asia. The Western zodiac comes from ancient Babylonian and Greek astronomy, and divides the sun's yearly path through the sky into twelve parts.

Why does knowing both signs make a better gift?

Most people know their Western sign, but far fewer know their Asian sign, especially if they were born in January or February. Giving someone a sign they didn't know about makes for a thoughtful surprise.

Enter a birthday in our sign finder to see both, then browse zodiac prints and zodiac mugs for each.