In ancient Chinese philosophy, everything in the world belong to one of Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. This also goes with the twelve guardian animals in the Chinese Zodiac; each animal has its corresponding element. The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle with twelve guardian animals, and each animal watches over the world for one year, from the first day of the Lunar New Year to the next New Year’s Eve on the lunar calendar. The Chinese believe people born in different years of guardian animals possess different personalities and qualities, and one’s fate can be told from his or her birth date. In China, wearing Chinese Horoscope jewelry brings good luck and protects you from harm.

As the old year comes to pass and we welcome the new year and the new guardian animal, Zaiyou Jewelry brings out a collection of Chinese Zodiac Necklace pendants depicting the guardian animal totems in the form of traditional Chinese knockers to celebrate the traditions.

Chinese door knockers are shaped like beast heads holding a ring in their mouths. The beast heads have flinty eyes and a majestic look to guard the house and keep menacing spirits away. The ring in their mouths can be swung to act as a doorbell when people visit their families and friends. To celebrate Chinese traditions, each animal totem in Zaiyou Jewelry‘s Chinese Zodiac Collection holds a ring in its mouth and has lab-grown diamonds set in its eyes and nose to emphasize its powerful presence and protective charm. The totems are designed to be simple and modern, yet they also have a spatial depth, as if the animals are lunging out of the pendant.

The back pieces of the pendants are customizable with gemstones to strengthen each of the Five Elements associated with different guardian animals. In ancient Chinese philosophy, everything in the world, including the guardian animals, belong to one of the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth:

• White mother-of pearl strengthens the Metal Element.
• Malachite strengthens the Wood Element.
• Onyx and black mother-of-pearl strengthen the Water Element.
• Carnelian strengthens the Fire Element.
• Tiger’s eye quartz strengthens the Earth Element.

The guardian animals also have their corresponding element, so you can pair a back piece of the same element or mix and match as you prefer. You may choose 18-karat gold or 18-karat gold vermeil for the material for the front piece of the pendant.

What is my Chinese Zodiac animal and element?

These Chinese Zodiac pendants are thoughtful gifts for anyone who appreciates Chinese culture and the Chinese Zodiac traditions.

Look up your birth date in the lunar calendar and find the corresponding guardian animal and its element below! You can also look at the specific element for the year you were born.

1. Rat (Water Element)

Recent years of the Rat (starting around February every year*) are 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032, and 2044.

The Rat corresponds to the Water Element. People who are born in the years of Rat are often very intelligent and resourceful. The Year of the Rat Pendant features a clever rat looking back curiously with a tilted head and glistening lab-grown diamond eyes. A curled-up mouse holds a movable  door knocker ring in its mouth, diligently guarding you. This pendant can be paired with black mother-of-pearl or onyx back pieces to strengthen the Water Element associated with the Rat.

2. Ox (Earth Element)

Recent years of the Ox (starting around February every year*) are 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033, and 2045.

The Ox corresponds to the Earth Element. People who are born in the years of Ox are often diligent and patient. The Year of the Ox Pendant features a strong and friendly ox with a solemn stare. The Ox has powerful horns to strike, yet it chooses to be gentle. A straight-nosed ox with a strong mouth firmly holds a movable  door knocker ring, steadfastly guarding you.. This pendant can be paired with a Tiger’s eyes quartz back piece to strengthen the Earth Element associated with the Ox.

3. Tiger (Wood Element)

Recent years of the Tiger (starting around February every year*) are 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034, and 2046.

The Tiger corresponds to the Wood Element. People who are born in the years of Tiger are often determined and charismatic. The Year of the Tiger Pendant features a regal tiger baring its fangs, fighting off evil. The majestic tiger, with an imposing demeanor, holds the door knocker ring in its teeth, safeguarding you with the dominance of the king of all beasts. This pendant can be paired with a Malachite back piece to strengthen the Wood Element associated with the Tiger.

4. Rabbit (Wood Element)

Recent years of the Rabbit (starting around February every year*) are 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035, and 2047.

The Rabbit corresponds to the Wood Element. People who are born in the years of Rabbit are often gentle and elegant. The Year of the Rabbit Pendant features an alert rabbit with ears straight up, its eyes gleaming of vigilance, guarding you from harm. The alert rabbits with long ears stand upright, holding the door knocker ring in their front teeth, agilely guarding your kindness and bringing vitality to you. This pendant can be paired with a Malachite back piece to strengthen the Wood Element associated with the Rabbit.

5. Dragon (Earth Element)

Recent years of the Dragon (starting around February every year*) are 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036, and 2048.

The Dragon corresponds to the Earth Element. People who are born in the years of Dragon are often confident and energetic. The Year of the Dragon Pendant features a majestic dragon with flowing mane and whiskers. The mystical creature has a peaceful gaze, yet it holds mighty power and only appears in front of the ordained. In Chinese mythology, the dragon is the supreme ruler of all creatures, governing thunder, rain, and dew. It has the power to command wind and rain. With its sharp teeth, it holds the door knocker ring, safeguarding your safety and well-being.. This pendant can be paired with a Tiger’s eye quartz back piece to strengthen the Earth Element associated with the Dragon.

6. Snake (Fire Element)

Recent years of the Snake (starting around February every year*) are 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037, and 2049.

The Snake corresponds to the Fire Element. People who are born in the years of Snake are often thoughtful, intuitive, and charming. The Year of the Snake Pendant features a curled-up snake with lab-grown diamonds on the scale on its forehead. This gracefully coiled snake symbolizes calmness and rationality. It holds the door knocker ring in its mouth, using its wisdom to guard and protect you. This pendant can be paired with a carnelian back piece to strengthen the Fire Element associated with the Snake.

7. Horse (Fire Element)

Recent years of the Horse (starting around February every year*) are 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038, and 2050.

The Horse corresponds to the Fire Element. People who are born in the years of Horse are often passionate and determined. The Year of the Horse Pendant features a side profile of a horse with lush manes. The spirited and majestic horse gazes into the distance, holding the door knocker ring in its mouth. With unwavering determination, it guards and protects you, pressing forward with unyielding perseverance. Bringing you lucky omens of success. This pendant can be paired with a carnelian back piece to strengthen the Fire Element associated with the Horse.

8. Goat (Earth Element)

Recent years of the Goat (starting around February every year*) are 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, and 2039.

The Goat corresponds to the Earth Element. People who are born in the years of Goat are often compassionate and creative. The proud horns and graceful figure outline the resolute countenance of this goat. With the door knocker ring held in its mouth, it guards you with its keen temperament. The Goat fends off the evil and stays sympathetic to everyone. The Year of the Goat Pendant can be paired with a Tiger’s eye quartz back piece to strengthen the Earth Element associated with the Goat.

9. Monkey (Metal Element)

Recent years of the Monkey (starting around February every year*) are 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, and 2040.

The Monkey corresponds to the Metal Element. People who are born in the years of Monkey are considered to possess wit, adaptability, and abundant energy. The Year of the Monkey Pendant portrays the monkey’s great strength with sharp lines and triangles. This Monkey King, inspired by the legendary character "Sun Wukong" from one of China's most famous mythological stories, gazes ahead with piercing eyes. With the door knocker ring held in its mouth, it uses its power to eliminate all evil spirits on your behalf. No evil could escape from those diamond eyes that shine so brightly. This pendant can be paired with a white mother-of-pearl back piece to strengthen the Earth Element associated with the Monkey.

10. Rooster (Metal Element)

Recent years of the Rooster (starting around February every year*) are 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, and 2041.

The Rooster corresponds to the Metal Element. People who are born in the year of Rooster are often confident and hard-working. The Year of the Rooster Pendant features a triumphant rooster holding its head high up, celebrating victory and glory. The proud and spirited rooster is ready to crow, with the door knocker ring hanging from its beak. With its resounding crow, it drives away all evils and malevolent spirits. This pendant can be paired with a white mother-of-pearl back piece to strengthen the Earth Element associated with the Rooster.

11. Dog (Earth Element)

Recent years of the Dog (starting around February every year*) are 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, and 2042.

The Dog corresponds to the Earth Element. People who are born in the year of Dog are often loyal and amiable. The Year of the Dog Pendant features a fast and powerful dog with upright ears and sincere eyes, carrying in its mouth a door knocker ring symbolizing protection. The Dog is always prepared to help its friends and protect them from harm. This pendant can be paired with a Tiger’s eye quartz back piece to strengthen the Earth Element associated with the Dog.

12. Pig (Water Element)

Recent years of the Pig (starting around February every year*) are 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, and 2043.

The Pig corresponds to the Water Element. People who are born in the years of Pig are often diligent and compassionate. The Year of the Pig Pendant features a boar with great tusks and unyielding eyes. The wild boar, with its broad snout and sharp tusks, holds the door knocker ring in its mouth. Fearlessly and bravely, it guards you and launches courageous attacks against any malevolent spirits. The Pig will rush forward no matter what lies ahead and destroy all obstacles in your way. This pendant can be paired with black mother-of-pearl or onyx back pieces to strengthen the Water Element associated with the Pig.

Find your Chinese Zodiac Guardian Animal in Zaiyou Jewelry’s Chinese Zodiac Collection and personalize your guardian animal pendant with the back piece of your choice. May your guardian animal bring you good luck in the New Year of the Dragon to come!

*Keep in mind that the Lunar Years tend to start around late January or early February of the Gregorian Calendars! If you were born around these dates, double check your year of birth to ensure your Zodiac animal is accurate!