Chinese Zodiac
Chinese zodiac is determined by the year of birth. Five elements are also associated with the years: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The association of animals and elements allows to have 60 different combinations.
The Chinese Zodiac preceded its Western counterpart by several millennia. Even today, millions of followers from all over the planet consult the Chinese Zodiac regularly.
While Western Zodiac is based on the months of the year, Chinese astrology is based on a twelve-year lunar cycle.
Your sign is determined by the year in which you were born, for more precision you should use a Chinese calendar. Each sign as well as the people born under this sign, is represented by one of the twelve animals. It has a set of characteristics which according to the Chinese is linked to the nature of each particular animal.
Legend has it that the 12 animals were chosen by Buddha. When Buddha felt his death approaching, he invited all the animals to visit him.
Only twelve came and became Chinese Zodiac signs: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
For visiting him, Buddha honored each of the twelve animals by using them to represent the twelve phases of the Chinese Zodiac.
One of the most interesting uses of the Chinese Zodiac is the exploration of sign compatibility. Which duo will make the best couple of lovers, friends or partners? You can use the tools below to find out how compatible the different signs are, or to find your Chinese sign or to learn more about one of the twelve Chinese signs.
Chinese Zodiac signs and Personality Traits
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Years | Personality traits |
|---|---|---|
| Rat – 鼠, shǔ | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 | Intelligent, resourceful, versatile, kind |
| Ox – 牛, niú | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 | Studious, reliable, strong, determined |
| Tiger – 虎, hǔ | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 | Brave, confident, competitive |
| Rabbit – 兔, tù | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 | Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible |
| Dragon – 龙/龍, lóng | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 | Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic |
| Snake – 蛇, shé | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 | Enigmatic, intelligent, clairvoyant |
| Horse – 马/馬, mǎ | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 | Energetic, active, lively |
| Goat – 羊, yáng | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 | Lincah, cerdas, ingin tahu |
| Monkey – 猴, hóu | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 | Lively, intelligent, curious |
| Rooster – 鸡/雞, jī | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 | Observer, hardworking, courageous |
| Dog – 狗, gǒu | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 | Cute, honest, careful |
| Pig – 猪/豬, zhū | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 | Sentimental, generous, studious |
The best compatibilities of Chinese Zodiac
People who are born in a certain animal year are believed to have a set of attributes of that particular animal. An important use of the Chinese zodiac is to determine if two people are compatible, in a romantic relationship or any type of relationship. In ancient times, people were loyal to Chinese zodiac compatibility and often as a reference before starting a romantic relationship. Even nowadays, some people still consider this benchmark.
Rat – Ox, Dragon, Rabbit
Ox – Rat, Monkey, Rooster
Tiger – Dragon, Horse, Pig
Rabbit – Rat, Sheep, Monkey, Dog, Pig
Dragon – Rat, Tiger, Snake
Snake – Dragon, Rooster
Horse – Sheep, Tiger
Goat – Rabbit, Horse, Pig
Monkey – Beef, Rabbit
Rooster – Ox, Snake
Dog – Rabbit
Pig – Sheep, Tiger, Rabbit
What is the element of your Chinese Zodiac sign?
Linked together, they create an interaction between the 12 signs. Clear ? The Wood feeds the Fire, which fertilizes the Earth, which generates the Metal which enriches the Water and which nourishes the Wood!
Tiger, Pig, Horse … The Chinese horoscope is a little different from the western horoscope that we know. Thus, the signs, which are based on the animal world, do not correspond to a period of one month, but to a whole year. They also rule over the days, which is why we know days with and days without. The elements too, do not have quite the same meanings as those of the western zodiac, Air, Water, Fire, Earth. In the Chinese horoscope, two other elements appear: Wood and Metal, Air being absent. Find out all the meanings of these five elements.
The year 2020 in the Chinese horoscope is that of the Metal Rat. Tiger, Pig, Horse … You may know your Chinese sign. But did you know that it is accompanied by one of the 5 elements of Chinese astrology? To know your element in Chinese astrology, nothing could be simpler:
Your year of birth ends with 0 or 1: you are Metal
Your year of birth ends with 2 or 3: you are Water
Your year of birth ends with 4 or 5: you are Wood
Your year of birth ends with 6 or 7: you are Fire
Your year of birth ends with 8 or 9: you are Earth
The portrait of a Chinese zodiac of Wood
Your keywords: Imagination, ambition, friendliness.
Your sensitive point: the liver
Your number: 8
Your flavor: acid
Your color: green
You always find a good excuse to innovate and take initiatives. That, ideas, you do not miss! Driven with incredible energy, you target large-scale projects. Megalo? No, expansive. You prefer to aim wide rather than high. By gaining the trust of people capable of helping you in your mission. Neither victory nor failure, only experience counts. The renewal is permanent. At work, you run your business simultaneously, managing the team and finances with flying colors. Financially, you spend as much euros as you spend on making a profit. Moral: too much energy kills energy. Take breaks, at least to take the time to love. Become more endearing, a reassuring presence instead of repeated absences. In your partner’s arms, you can both recharge your batteries and find inspiration… before you start again.
The portrait of a Chinese zodiac of Fire
Your keywords: Charisma, confidence, impatience.
Your sensitive point: the heart
Your number: 7
Your flavor: bitter
Your color: red
The Fire warms us. It stimulates energies, rekindles the flame of desire. Your taste for adventure is explained by an insatiable thirst to see everything, to know everything. To dominate everything as well, with the ambition to shine in the constellation of Stars. You are one at work, commanding admiration as much as you arouse criticism. You instinctively take leadership by motivating your troops to redouble their efforts. An overconfidence that sometimes prompts you to act thoughtlessly, with a touch of selfishness. Learn the virtues of humility. Listen to the opinion of those around you: if you don’t reach the heights, at least you will avoid a fall! Finances will no longer do the yoyo, your sentimental life will stabilize. Strength comes through balance and through exchanges that are lasting. Prefer the warmth of love to the burns of passion.
The portrait of a Chinese zodiac of Earth
Your keywords: Lucidity, reflection, consistency.
Your sensitive point: the spleen
Your number: 5
Your flavor: sweet
Your color: yellow
Life is no laughing matter! No time for fun, the situation requires effort and discipline. Thanks to your practicality, you can understand the issue and get straight to the point. In your opinion, there are no problems, only solutions. You pursue reliable goals after evaluating their profitability. Prudence in business, good financial management, your capital and your assets are as solid as your plans. But while your sharpness serves your material interests, your lack of imagination limits your scope. Better to play it safe than bet on luck. In love, you move onto familiar ground after testing your partner’s feelings. You root the relationship by basing relationships on trust, honesty and loyalty. The grind, yes, but punctuated by naughty breaks. Top secret, private matter!
The portrait of a metal chinese zodiac
Your keywords: Integrity, fairness, will.
Your sensitive point: the lungs
Your number: 9
Your flavor: acrid
Your color: white
It takes energy to make your wishes come true! Yours is focused with the determination to achieve the stated goal. If you are not funny every day, your loved ones know you will lead them to victory. You never let go, nothing can influence you. Tenacity becomes a flaw when it turns to obsession. Socially, your inflexibility wastes your time, sometimes money. The Metal laughs yellow when its accounts plunge into the red. Quickly you figure out how to make a profit. Professionally, you would benefit from delegating. The confrontation of ideas would qualify your point of view. The romantic who ignores herself, you idealize love without confessing it for fear of appearing vulnerable. Your Pygmalion side enjoys revealing the talents of your partner. Make sure that once in the light, it doesn’t shade you!
The portrait of a Chinese zodiac of Water
Your keywords: Shyness, sensitivity, empathy.
Your sensitive point: the kidneys
Your number: 6
Your flavor: salty
Your color: black
There is no coincidence, only dates. Your life is marked by beautiful encounters. You communicate as a person, forge links by immediately creating trust and confidence. A normal situation when you take the trouble to listen to others. You observe to understand the situation and know who you are dealing with. Your intuition never fools you. If you weren’t so shy, you’d be hitting the stars. Lack of confidence in your own strengths slows your impetus. Socially, you would rather act in the shadows than lead the team. OK to federate skills, but no question of sanctioning! Besides, money is not your engine. Your ambition: to succeed in your life rather than to succeed in life. We only have one, you dedicate it to your spouse, prioritizing the family. “There is really only love worth it,” said Michel Berger. You are okay!
Photo credit: Pixy
