InStyle Magazine says Chinese zodiac has been used ever since the Han Dynasty (ca. 150 CE), when the "idea that there are greater forces at work in the mapping of individual destiny" became popularized. In Chinese astrology, every year is ruled by a Chinese zodiac sign, which cycles every 12 years. Each sign is represented by an animal associated with certain traits, and you can pinpoint your Chinese zodiac sign by figuring out which sign ruled your birth year.
click the button to learn your animal