I was born on the day of Ipchun. What is my animal?

Before the exact moment Ipchun begins, the previous year's animal; after it, that year's. Since the birth time and the birthplace's local mean time correction are needed, enter your time of birth on Sajunyang to check.

Calculation Standards

Is the zodiac animal based on Lunar New Year or on Ipchun? What animal is an early-February birthday?

As of 2026-10-24 · Edited by Sajunyang · about 1600 characters

One-line answer

In Saju theory, the zodiac animal, that is, the Year Pillar, changes at Ipchun, the Start of Spring (February 3–5 in the solar calendar, varying by year). Not at Lunar New Year (lunar January 1) or at solar January 1. So anyone born between solar January 1 and Ipchun has the previous year's animal in Saju, and on the day of Ipchun itself it splits by the exact moment of the term. For example, someone born on January 20, 2027 is a Goat (Jeongmi year) by the calendar but a Horse (Byeongo year) by Saju.

Why Ipchun and not Lunar New Year?

All four pillars of Saju are set by the movement of the sun (the solar terms). The Year Pillar begins at Ipchun, the first solar term of the twelve months, and the Month Pillar also changes at each solar term. Lunar New Year is a holiday set by the movement of the moon (the lunar calendar), a different calendar from the Saju system. Counting the zodiac animal from Lunar New Year is a folk custom; when reading Saju, the Year Pillar must be set from Ipchun to match the Month Pillar and Luck Pillar calculations.

The moment of Ipchun differs every year. In 2026 it falls on the morning of February 4, and in 2027 around the afternoon of February 4. For a birth on the day of Ipchun, the time to the minute decides the animal, so Sajunyang calculates the solar term time astronomically to make the judgment.

So which animal should I go by?

In everyday life, use the animal of your birth year (or the Lunar New Year animal) as you always have. Only when reading Saju should the Year Pillar be set by the Ipchun animal. If your birthday is in January or early February, the animal shown on Sajunyang's result screen may differ from the one you have always known. It is not an error; the Saju standard is different. When reading zodiac fortunes too, going by the Saju animal is correct in Saju terms.

FAQ

I was born on the day of Ipchun. What is my animal?: Before the exact moment Ipchun begins, the previous year's animal; after it, that year's. Since the birth time and the birthplace's local mean time correction are needed, enter your time of birth on Sajunyang to check.

Now that you've read it, want to check your own chart?

Just your birth date, instantly. No sign-up, no payment.

See 2027 zodiac fortunes

Good to read together

This article is reference material summarizing traditional Saju theory and does not replace medical, legal or investment judgment. Our calculation standards are published at About Sajunyang.