Chinese zodiac
The Chinese zodiac runs on a 12-year cycle of animals, paired with five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and a Yin or Yang polarity. The year starts at Lunar New Year, not January 1, so a player born in January or early February often belongs to the previous year's animal. We handle that boundary exactly.
| Animal | Known for | Players |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | Resourceful and quick to spot an opening. | 97 |
| Ox | Strong, patient, does the hard work without complaint. | 133 |
| Tiger | Bold and competitive. Plays with an edge. | 169 |
| Rabbit | Calm, careful, and harder to rattle than it looks. | 183 |
| Dragon | Big presence and big ambition. | 212 |
| Snake | Smart and watchful. Strikes at the right moment. | 218 |
| Horse | Energetic and free-running. Hates being fenced in. | 208 |
| Goat | Gentle, creative, good in a group. | 176 |
| Monkey | Clever and inventive. Finds the trick play. | 98 |
| Rooster | Precise, proud, always prepared. | 50 |
| Dog | Loyal and honest. The teammate you want. | 60 |
| Pig | Generous and easygoing, with real stamina. | 76 |
Counts are active players. The league is young, so animals from roughly 1996 to 2004 dominate.