Years of the Rabbit 1951 · 1963 · 1975 · 1987 · 1999 · 2011 · 2023

The Year of the Rabbit comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2035, the Year of the Wood Rabbit, which begins on 8 Feb 2035.

Every 12 years
Next: 2035
Sign: 4th of 12

Year of the Rabbit chart

The table shows every Year of the Rabbit from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.

Year	Dates	Element sign	Stem-branch
1927	2 Feb 1927 – 22 Jan 1928	Fire Rabbit	丁卯 (dīng mǎo)
1939	19 Feb 1939 – 7 Feb 1940	Earth Rabbit	己卯 (jǐ mǎo)
1951	6 Feb 1951 – 26 Jan 1952	Metal Rabbit	辛卯 (xīn mǎo)
1963	25 Jan 1963 – 12 Feb 1964	Water Rabbit	癸卯 (guǐ mǎo)
1975	11 Feb 1975 – 30 Jan 1976	Wood Rabbit	乙卯 (yǐ mǎo)
1987	29 Jan 1987 – 16 Feb 1988	Fire Rabbit	丁卯 (dīng mǎo)
1999	16 Feb 1999 – 4 Feb 2000	Earth Rabbit	己卯 (jǐ mǎo)
2011	3 Feb 2011 – 22 Jan 2012	Metal Rabbit	辛卯 (xīn mǎo)
2023	22 Jan 2023 – 9 Feb 2024	Water Rabbit	癸卯 (guǐ mǎo)
2035	8 Feb 2035 – 27 Jan 2036	Wood Rabbit	乙卯 (yǐ mǎo)

Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.

When is the next Year of the Rabbit?

The next Year of the Rabbit is 2035, the Year of the Wood Rabbit. It runs from 8 Feb 2035 to 27 Jan 2036. After that the Rabbit returns in 2047.

What each element means for the Rabbit

Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Rabbit’s character.

Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián

When the Rabbit year comes round, everyone born under the Rabbit is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.

Read the full Year of the Rabbit guide for personality, compatibility and career.

Years of the Rabbit questions, answered

What years are the Year of the Rabbit?

The Years of the Rabbit are 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 and 2035. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.

When is the next Year of the Rabbit?

The next Year of the Rabbit is 2035, the Year of the Wood Rabbit. It runs from 8 Feb 2035 to 27 Jan 2036.

Is my own zodiac year unlucky?

Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.