Last Updated on July 15, 2022 by Wishbonix
Even if you haven’t dealt with Eastern and Chinese astrology yet, you probably already know that the Chinese horoscope has little in common with its western counterpart.
Chinese astrology is based on twelve animals that represent a cyclical concept of time in contrast to Western astrology that uses the linear concept of time. Chinese astrologers do not take into account the position of the sun, moon, and planets at the time of birth. This astrology is based on Chinese philosophy with harmony between heaven, earth, and water.
The 12 Zodiac Signs in Chinese Astrology
Regardless of the numerous myths and legends surrounding the creation of the Chinese zodiac signs, the contingent of the animals is always the same.
Specifically, these are the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig. Together they form the foundation for the Chinese horoscope or in other words: each animal represents one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs.
The twelve animals that represent the zodiac are the twelve different personality types. The zodiac begins with the sign of the Rat.
Here is an introduction to the characteristics of the twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs in the order of their twelve-month lunar cycles over a period of twelve years.
Rat
You are a Rat if you are born in the following years
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Characteristics of the Rat
Imaginative, charming, generous, intellectual, quick-tempered, ambitious, reckless, opportunistic, passionate, sensitive
- The lucky colors of the rat are:Â Blue, gold, and green.
- Element: Water
- Compatibility: Dragon, Monkey
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 6, 8; Avoid: 4, 5, 9
The Personality of the Rat
If you were born in the Chinese zodiac sign Rat, you have a strong intuition and can quickly adapt to all everyday situations, be they surprising or planned. However, rats are quite narrow-minded and generally have no leadership qualities.
Rats are more common in occupations such as politicians, researchers, actors, writers, musicians, or entrepreneurs.
In love, the ideal partners for the rat are the Dragon, the Rabbit, or the Ox, whereas it is less compatible with the Chinese zodiac signs Horse or Rooster.
Ox
You are an Ox if you are born in the following years
1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Characteristics of the Ox
Conservative, methodical, handy, demanding, stubborn, strong, dutiful, private, courageous, faithful
- The lucky colors of the Ox are:Â White, yellow, and green.
- Element: Earth
- Compatibility: Rat, Snake, Rooster
- Lucky Numbers:Â 8, 9, 3; Avoid: 6
The Personality of the Ox
The Ox (or the zodiac sign ox) is characterized by honesty, determination, strength, and courage. According to the Chinese zodiac sign, a Chinese astrologer will describe you as certainly patriotic and very ambitious in your private and professional life. With their patience, Oxen can achieve their goals with continuous effort.
Oxen are often found in professions such as farmers, engineers, real estate agents, interior designers, painters, and pharmacists.
Oxen go well with people born under the sign of the rat, the monkey or the rooster, and are less compatible with the zodiac signs tiger, dragon, horse, and goat.
Tiger
You are a Tiger if you are born in the following years
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Characteristics of the Tiger
Sensitive, emotional, competitive, jealous, dominant, dignified, honest, generous, passionate, risk-taking
- The lucky colors of the Tiger are:Â Blue, grey, orange, and white.
- Element: Wood
- Compatibility: Horse, Dog, Rabbit
- Lucky Numbers: 0, 1, 3, 4; Avoid: 6, 7, 8
The Personality of the Tiger
Depending on the year of birth, you can belong to one of the five elements of the Chinese zodiac, as taught in Chinese Astrology: earth, fire, wood, metal, or water, which will also be easily noticeable in your personality.
Regardless of your time of birth or your birthday, however, you will surely be ambitious, brave, unpredictable, and confident like all other tigers. Tigers sometimes tend to be stubborn and to make harsh judgments about their fellow human beings. This self-confidence enables them to act as effective leaders at work.
Tigers are more likely to be found in professions such as manager, advertising agent, actor, artist, flight attendants, or chauffeur.
Tigers are associated with the zodiac signs dragon, horse and pig, but do not get along well with oxen, snakes or monkeys.
Rabbit
You are a Rabbit if you are born in the following years
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Characteristics of the Rabbit
Affectionate, sentimental, shallow, selfish, perceptive, fashionable, curious, fussy, cunning, possessive
- The lucky colors of the Rabbit are:Â Red, pink, purple, and blue.
- Element: Wood
- Compatibility: Tiger, Goat, Dog, Pig
- Lucky Numbers: 3, 6, 9; Avoid: 1, 7, 8
The Personality of the Rabbit
Rabbits are known in Chinese astrology for their good-natured, elegant, calm, patient, and responsible manner. Although they can sometimes appear superficial, rabbits are actually very reserved and popular with others.
Due to their very or too cautious nature, rabbits shy away from expressing their opinion, which is why they sometimes miss out on great opportunities.
The rabbit is mainly found in professions such as lecturers, nurses, doctors, police officers, judges, lawyers, and breeders.
Rabbits get along particularly well with the rat, the goat, the monkey or the dog, and less well with the rooster and the snake.
Dragon
You are a Dragon if you are born in the following years
1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
Characteristics of the Dragon
Competent, self-assured, courageous, enthusiastic, intelligent, intolerant, daring arrogant, critical, irritable
- The lucky colors of the Dragon are:Â Gold, yellow, silver, and grey
- Element: Earth
- Compatibility: Rat, Monkey, Snake
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7; Avoid: 3, 8, 9
The Personality of the Dragon
Dragons have enviable qualities such as intelligence, tenacity, and courage. They are not afraid of any challenges and are ready to take risks. In ancient times, the Chinese believed that dragons, because of their leadership skills and ambition, were able to rule the world. The dragon can sometimes be perceived as aggressive, arrogant, and unable to accept any criticism.
Dragons are often found in professions such as journalists, teachers, inventors, lawyers, salespeople, computer analysts, and architects.
According to its birth chart, the Chinese zodiac sign of the dragon is compatible with the signs rat, tiger, and snake and is less compatible with the goat, the ox, and the dog.
Snake
You are a Snake if you are born in the following years
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
Characteristics of the Snake
Wise, charming, seductive, profound, secretive, insightful, subtle, proud, malicious, and vindictive
- The lucky colors of the Snake are:Â Black, red, and yellow
- Element: Fire
- Compatibility: Ox, Rooster, Dragon
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, 9; Avoid: 1, 6, 7
The Personality of the Snake
In Chinese culture, the snake is the most mysterious of the 12 zodiac signs in the Chinese horoscope. Snakes are more distant and reserved. They pursue their goals with great determination and hate failure more than anything. Snakes are considered intelligent and wise but are often stressed and prone to materialism.
Snakes often work in professions such as scientists, analysts, detectives, potters, astrologers, magicians, painters, and sociologists.
According to your Chinese horoscope, you are on the same frequency with the zodiac signs dragon and rooster, whereas your fortune teller will advise you against spending time with the tiger, the rabbit, and the goat.
Horse
You are a Horse if you are born in the following years
1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
Characteristics of the Horse
Friendly, witty, cheerful, independent, competitive, adventurous, vain, impatient, volatile, selfish
- The lucky colors of the Horse are:Â Yellow, green
- Element: Fire
- Compatibility: Tiger, Goat, Dog
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 4, 5, 7, 9; Avoid: 2, 3, 6
The Personality of the Horse
People born in the zodiac sign of the horse are considered very active and energetic. They love spending time in a group, going out, and making friends. With their strong sense of humor, horses like to be the center of attention and are masters of quick wit. The horse can also be a little self-centered, but that doesn’t stop you from listening to others.
If you are a horse, your life path will lead you to professions such as linguist, translator, manager, director, bartender, bookseller, or journalist.
If my Chinese circular sign is that of the horse, I go well with the goat and the tiger, but I will avoid people with the circular sign rat, ox, and rooster.
Goat
You are a Goat if you are born in the following years
1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
Characteristics of the Goat
Gentle, kind, artistic, pessimistic, cultured, shy, insecure, self-indulgent, dependent, people-pleaser
- The lucky colors of the Goat are:Â Green, red, and purple
- Element: Earth
- Compatibility: Rabbit, Horse, Pig
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9; Avoid: 6, 8
The Personality of the Goat
Humble, friendly, well-mannered, and personable, the goat man or the goat woman has a special sense of kindness and justice. Goats are very creative, persistent, and know how to defend themselves. Although goats like to stay in groups, they do not like to be the focus and remain reserved. This is probably because they like to spend a lot of time with their own thoughts.
According to Chinese fortune-telling, the goat will be found mainly in the following professions: pediatrician, florist, hairdresser, publisher, illustrator, history professor, or teacher.
The goat is compatible with a rabbit, a horse, or a pig, but should avoid contact with the buffalo, dragon, snake, and dog.
Monkey
You are a Monkey if you are born in the following years
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
Characteristics of the Monkey
Persuasive, sociable, talkative, eccentric, sly, curious, humorous, mischievous, superficial, untruthful
- The lucky colors of the Monkey are:Â White, blue, and gold
- Element: Water
- Compatibility: Rat, Dragon, Rooster
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8Â ; Avoid: 2, 5, 9
The Personality of the Monkey
Curiosity, intelligence, and malice are among the characteristics of the classic monkey in the Chinese zodiac. Monkeys like to play pranks or make jokes at the expense of those around them, which can also hurt the feelings of others. Monkeys learn quickly and are eccentric, which can quickly disturb others. In the end, the monkey prefers urban life to rural life and is not afraid of challenges.
If your birth chart is a monkey, then according to Chinese fortune-telling, you should pursue a career in jewelry-making, film, banking, engineering, stock market, finance, or science.
With its sociable nature, the monkey is most compatible with the buffalo or the rabbit but should avoid the tiger and the pig.
Rooster
You are a Rooster if you are born in the following years
1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
Characteristics of the Rooster
Diligent, passionate, noble, courageous, protective, loyal, melodramatic, blunt, aggressive, impatient
- The lucky colors of the Rooster are:Â Gold, brown, and yellow
- Element: Water
- Compatibility: Ox, Snake, Monkey, Dragon
- Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 8; Avoid: 1, 3, 9
The Personality of the Rooster
Roosters are very active, happy, and popular with their fellow human beings. With their honest and talkative nature, roosters like to be the center of attention and appear particularly beautiful and attractive. The rooster is offended if you don’t listen to him and tends to brag. His constant striving for attention can quickly get annoyed by the people around him.
According to Chinese astrology, the rooster can be found in professions such as moderator, hairdresser, athlete, lecturer, dentist, surgeon, firefighter, farmer, or journalist.
The rooster is best compatible with the ox and snake zodiac signs, but you are far less compatible with the zodiac signs of rat, rabbit, horse, or pig.
Dog
You are a Dog if you are born in the following years
1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
Characteristics of the Dog
Honest, fair, faithful, reliable, devoted, cynical, anxious, nosy, hot-tempered, sarcastic
- The lucky colors of the Dog are:Â Red, green, and purple
- Element: Earth
- Compatibility: Tiger, Horse, Pig
- Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 9; Avoid: 1, 6, 7
The Personality of the Dog
Just as the animal, the dog is loyal, kind, friendly, and would do anything for the person he loves. Although communication skills are not one of the dog’s strengths, people born in the year of the dog are characterized by their good-naturedness, which makes them forget about the evil and ugly in the world. The dog is anything but selfish and always ready to help others. He forgets his own interests, which is why he can easily be betrayed by those around him.
Depending on the exact date of birth, the dog turns to professions such as police officers, scientists, consultants, lecturers, politicians, nurses, or judges.
With his generous nature, the dog is best compatible with the zodiac sign rabbit, whereas the presence of the dragon, the goat, or the rooster could harm him.
Pig
You are a Pig if you are born in the following years
1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
Characteristics of the Pig
Sincere, generous, friendly, funny, stubborn, materialistic gullible, naive, lazy, superficial
- The lucky colors of the Pig are:Â Yellow, grey, brown, and gold
- Element: Water
- Compatibility: Goat, Rabbit, Dog
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 6, 8; Avoid: 3, 4, 9
The Personality of the Pig
When the pig has a goal in mind, he devotes all of its energy to achieve it. Although pigs refuse to accept help from strangers, they do not hesitate to shake hands with those who need it. Pigs are generous and understanding. Due to their great sense of responsibility, they always meet their obligations.
The lunar calendar of the Chinese horoscope recommends that the pig practice a profession as a doctor, veterinarian, interior decorator, driver, seller, nurse, or caterer.
Pigs have a knack for love and easily fall in love with a tiger, a goat, or a rabbit. However, the chemistry with the zodiac monkey or snake is incompatible.
The Meaning of the Elements in Chinese Astrology
According to Chinese astrology, the five elements describe the balance and the cycle of the world. They are intertwined in different ways and influence each other. Both factors are important for the Chinese horoscope: the signs of the zodiac and the respective element.
The five elements are:
Earth
Those born in an earth year are patient and reliable. They value security and planning and loathe the unpredictable. Therefore, they prefer to take precautions and solve problems through logical thinking and planning. Earth people can appear as moral entities and neutral third parties.
Metal
Those who were born in a metal year are mostly self-confident and persistent, almost stubborn. If metal people stand up for something, they do it powerfully and relentlessly. You also love orderly and clean environments and therefore like to organize your life. They are perfect at dealing with difficulties and solving problems.
Water
Water people are sensitive, creative, intelligent and charming. They have a great imagination, good intuition and a lot of diplomatic skills. However, they tend to be closed-minded and prefer to wriggle out of uncomfortable situations rather than accept a confrontation.
Wood
Those who were born under the element wood are often selfless, appreciative and generous. Wooden people love knowledge more than objects and literally absorb new information. They are faithful and loyal in friendships and relationships. However, wood people tend to overwhelm themselves and do not sufficiently respect their own limits.
Fire
Hot blood, the joy of movement and a penchant for adventure are characteristics of fire people. They love competition, change, and success and are therefore often found in management positions. Most of them are very confident and powerful, sometimes restless. They love drama and do everything to protect those who love them.
