The flowers of the Chinese zodiac

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.

Known as a time for renewal, happiness and harmony with nature, it’s one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It also marks the start of a new year in the Chinese zodiac.

The Chinese zodiac is an ancient system that follows the lunar calendar which assigns an animal to each year in a 12-year cycle. Each animal is associated with certain characteristics, lucky numbers, and can also be linked to various flowers.

In 2026, the first new moon of the lunar calendar falls on 17 February, which marks the Year of the Horse.

While some symbols have multiple flowers associated with them, here we’ve picked only one for each to spotlight.

Discover which flower matches your Chinese zodiac symbol.

Rat: Lily (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be both intelligent and sociable, although sometimes stubborn too.

The Rat symbol is associated with lilies, all found in the genus Lilium. There are over 120 species of lily, mostly native to the northern hemisphere, and are popular for their large vibrant flowers.

Many other flowers are known as lilies, like the fire lily or the cobra lily. While only species from the Lilium are known as the true lilies, it’s appropriate that their name is used for so many species: the word lily most likely comes from the Ancient Egyptian word for flower.

Ox: Tulip (1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)

People of the Ox zodiac sign are said to be loyal, tenacious and hardworking, although sometimes overly cautious.

The Ox symbol is linked to tulips (Tulipa), another species that are hugely popular in both gardens and homes around the world.

Originally, tulips were only found in cool, mountainous regions across Central Asia through to Southeastern Europe. Their huge popularity as decorative flowers means that tulips are now found growing wild in many countries all over the world.

Tiger: Cineraria (1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

Courageous and bold, Tiger people are thought to be natural leaders, although can be overconfident.

Tigers are linked with cineraria (Pericallis x hybrida) flowers, a hybrid of two species native to the Canary Islands that’s now a popular bedding plant in the UK.

This hybrid was likely created at Kew Gardens in the 18th century. Kew’s first “plant hunter” Francis Masson took seeds from the islands and sent them to Kew Gardens, where they were readily crossbred by waiting horticulturists.

Rabbit: Jasmine (1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)

According to the Chinese zodiac, Rabbits are optimistic and positive but can also struggle with their emotions.

The flower associated with the Rabbit is jasmine, a fragrant flower that’s popular in perfumes and soaps all over the world.

Jasmine is originally from Asia, and likely to be one of the first plants that was cultivated exclusively for its fragrance. It wasn’t until the 15th century that its popularity spread westwards towards Europe.

Dragon: Hyacinth (1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)

The only mythological animal in the Chinese zodiac, Dragons are said to be energetic and ambitious, although sometimes lack the willpower to see their goals through.

Dragons are associated with hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis), another popular ornamental plant.

Hyacinths have another mythological link. Their name comes from the story of the Greek hero Hyacinth, who was the lover of Apollo, god of the sun. When Apollo accidentally killed Hyacinth with a discus, he transformed the dead hero’s blood into the flower that bears his name.

Snake: Orchid (1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)

In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is linked to intelligence and modesty, although it is also linked to selfishness.

The snake is also matched with the orchid as a floral symbol. While there are over 4,000 species of snake in the world, science has named over 30,000 species of orchid.

Found on every single continent except Antarctica, orchids have evolved to fit into so many different environments. Some of them live in trees or grow on rocks, known as epiphytes. Some orchids pretend to be a female bee to lure in males before sticking pollen to them. Learn more about the diversity of the orchid tree of life.

Horse: Sunflower (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)

2026 is the Year of the Horse, a symbol associated with tenacity, enthusiasm and perseverance. However, they also have a tendency towards vanity.

The horse symbol is linked to sunflowers (Helianthus), a flower that’s both an ornamental and a critical food source.

First domesticated from its wild ancestor over 5,000 years ago by Native American peoples, colonisers brought the plant to Europe during the 16th century, where it is still grown as a vital crop today.

Goat: Carnation (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)

In the Chinese zodiac, the Goat is said to be creative and compassionate although can suffer from feelings of inferiority.

Goats are linked to carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus), a plant that already has an impressive history of symbology.

Red carnations are associated with love and affection. White carnations symbolise good luck, purple a mercurial nature and yellow symbolise rejection and disappointment.

Monkey: Chrysanthemum (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)

The Monkey zodiac is said to be quick-witted and innovative, which can occasionally get them into trouble.

The Monkey symbol is linked with chrysanthemums, which have been cultivated in China for well over 2000 years.

Chrysanthemums are one of the Four Gentlemen of China, flowers that appear as a frequent motif in Chinese artwork, along with bamboo, orchid and plum blossom. Each flower represents a season, with chrysanthemums representing autumn.

Rooster: Impatiens (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)

The Rooster sign is linked with organisation and perseverance, with notes of perfectionism.

The Rooster is linked to the Impatiens flower, better known in the UK as “Busy Lizzies”.

A popular bedding plant, Impatiens flowers are well known for their explosive seed pods that fire the future plants in all directions when disturbed.

Dog: Rose (1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)

In Chinese zodiac, the Dog sign is linked to loyalty and friendliness but can become listless.

The dog sign is linked to roses, an iconic flower that is both horticulturally and symbolically significant.

There are thousands of cultivated varieties of roses, in colours from red to pink to yellow. Along with being an iconic symbol of love, red roses are seen as a symbol of gay culture in Japan. Discover more floral symbols of queer culture.

Pig: Hydrangea (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)

The Pig symbol is detail-oriented and free-spirited, although sometimes can be easily tricked.

The flower associated with the Pig is the hydrangea, a popular garden plant that grows large clusters of flowers.

Big leaf hydrangea are well known for changing colour depending on the soil they grow in: with acidic soil, their flowers will be blue, while alkaline soil will result in red or pink flowers.

Whether you’re celebrating Chinese New Year or one of the many other festivals around the Lunar New Year, Kew wishes you a very happy Year of the Horse!