In traditional Thai culture, special birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated in twelve-year cycles linked to the signs of the zodiac. Similar to the Chinese zodiac there are twelve animals each representing a year. The zodiac years for that animal are shown in brackets.
- Rat/Mouse (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032)
- Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033)
- Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034)
- Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035)
- Serpent/Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1998, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036)
- Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037)
- Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038)
- Goat/Ram (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039)
- Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040)
- Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041)
- Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042)
- *Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043)
*In Northern Thai culture, the elephant can replace the pig
For Thai people, the completion of each twelve-year cycle is important because it brings them back to their birth-year animal. It used to be the case in Thailand that ‘milestone’ birthdays weren’t especially celebrated unless they were ones that coincided with the 12-year cycle (particularly the 12th and 60th birthdays). However, things change. Although 12-year cycle birthdays and anniversaries are still important, the modern generation of Thai people may also give added significance to a 30th, 40th or 50th birthday or anniversary.
While the old traditions might not be as strong as they once were, most Thai people will know their zodiac animal. They will usually also know the day of the week they were born and their associated ‘lucky colour’.
Songkran and the start of the 12-year cycle
Although there are many similarities with the Chinese zodiac, there are differences. In traditional Thai culture, the start of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, (on 13 April) marks the beginning of the next twelve-year cycle. However, some Thai Chinese communities may use the date of the Chinese New Year (in January/February) as the date when the next cycle begins.
If you visit a temple in Thailand during Songkran, you may notice pennants displaying the animals of the zodiac. These can usually be seen on display inside the main temple building. They may also be placed in the piles of sand that are brought to the wat as part of the Songkran traditions.
Thai Temples for the 12 zodiac signs
There are several temples which have extra significance for Thai people. Mainly located in northern Thailand, each temple has associations with the Lord Buddha (he either visited them or the temples carry relics) and is now linked with a specific animal of the zodiac. Many Thai people will make a special effort to visit their sacred birth-year temple at least once in their lifetime, especially if it falls during a 12-year birthday cycle because it is believed to bring extra merit and good luck. If you hear a Thai person talking about wanting to make a special pilgrimage to visit ‘their temple’ then this is probably what they mean.
- Year of the Rat/Mouse: Wat Phra Borommathat Si Chom Thong, Chiang Mai Province
- Year of the Ox: Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Lampang
- Year of the Tiger: Wat Phra That Cho Hae, Phrae
- Year of the Rabbit: Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, Nan
- Year of the Dragon/Serpent: Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai
- Year of the Snake: Wat Analayo Thipphayaram, Phayao (This temple contains a replica relic; the original is located in India).
- Year of the Horse: Wat Phra That Phrathat, Tak (This temple contains a replica relic; the original is located at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Mynamar)
- Year of the Goat: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
- Year of the Monkey: Wat Phra That Phanom Woramahaviharn, Nakhon Phanom
- Year of the Rooster: Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan, Lamphun
- Year of the Dog: Wat Ketkaram, Chiang Mai
- Year of the Pig: Wat Phra That Doi Tung, Chiang Rai
