Wood
Symbol of growth, flexibility and creation; Wood people are green-minded, kind and forward-looking.
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Chinese Zodiac — Complete Encyclopedia of Signs & Meanings
The Chinese zodiac is built on a 12-year cycle and five cosmic elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Every year carries an animal sign paired with an element; together they reveal personality, luck and spiritual path. Find your birth year within each sign to discover yours.
The Five Elements
Fire
Symbol of passion, energy and leadership; Fire people are warm, dynamic and charismatic.
Earth
Symbol of stability, patience and trust; Earth people are calm, practical and dependable.
Metal
Symbol of order, will and strength; Metal people are determined, disciplined and ambitious.
Water
Symbol of wisdom, intuition and connection; Water people are deep thinkers, flexible and empathic.
Year & element pairing: the element of your birth year is set by the last digit of the year — 4/5 Wood, 6/7 Fire, 8/9 Earth, 0/1 Metal, 2/3 Water. E.g., 1990 born are Metal Horse; 2000 born are Metal Dragon.
The 12 Zodiac Signs
Rat
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Personality: Intelligent, quick-witted, adaptable, opportunistic, socially charming and persistent.
Life & love: Fortunate in business and saving wealth; loyal but cautious in love.
Lucky numbers۲، ۳
ColoursBlue, gold, green
SymbolsViolet, lily
Ox
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Personality: Patient, steadfast, hard-working, loyal, stable and strong-willed.
Life & love: Success comes through effort; devoted in love and trustworthy in friendship.
Lucky numbers۱، ۹
ColoursYellow, white, green
SymbolsSunflower
Tiger
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Personality: Brave, natural leader, powerful, daring, confident and fighting-spirited.
Life & love: Blessed with leadership and victory; passionate and honest in love.
Lucky numbers۱، ۳، ۴
ColoursOrange, grey, blue
SymbolsPlum, peach tree
Rabbit
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Personality: Gentle, considerate, calm, well-mannered, artistic and kind.
Life & love: A calm and artistic life awaits; romantic and tender in love.
Lucky numbers۳، ۴، ۹
ColoursPink, purple, blue
SymbolsJasmine, white lily
Dragon
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Personality: Powerful, fortunate, ambitious, energetic, majestic and highly charismatic.
Life & love: Fame and success find them; generous and passionate in love.
Lucky numbers۱، ۶، ۷
ColoursGold, silver, grey
SymbolsLotus
Snake
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Personality: Wise, intuitive, mysterious, elegant, deeply thoughtful and clever.
Life & love: Shines in intellectual and spiritual work; loyal and discreet in love.
Lucky numbers۲، ۸، ۹
ColoursRed, pale yellow, black
SymbolsOrchid, cactus
Horse
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Personality: Freedom-loving, energetic, sociable, adventurous and warm-spirited.
Life & love: Travel and new experiences unlock luck; passionate and open in love.
Lucky numbers۲، ۳، ۷
ColoursYellow, green
SymbolsSunflower, jasmine
Goat
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Personality: Creative, kind, artistic, empathetic, gentle-hearted and peaceful.
Life & love: Blossoms in art and beauty; devoted and romantic in love.
Lucky numbers۳، ۴، ۹
ColoursBrown, red, purple
SymbolsCarnation, gerbera
Monkey
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Personality: Intelligent, curious, agile, humorous, flexible and inventive.
Life & love: Shines in innovation and communication; joyful and playful in love.
Lucky numbers۱، ۷، ۸
ColoursWhite, gold, blue
SymbolsChrysanthemum, orchid
Rooster
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Personality: Orderly, honest, precise, brave, self-expressive and diligent.
Life & love: Reaches success through discipline; direct, faithful and pure in love.
Lucky numbers۵، ۷، ۸
ColoursGold, brown, yellow
SymbolsGladiolus, cockscomb
Dog
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Personality: Loyal, protective, just, honest, trustworthy and responsible.
Life & love: A true friend and family protector; devoted and honest in love.
Lucky numbers۳، ۴، ۹
ColoursGreen, red, purple
SymbolsRose, peach blossom
Pig
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Personality: Hospitable, generous, good-hearted, warm, optimistic and kind.
Life & love: A blessed life with many friends; devoted and kind in love.
Lucky numbers۲، ۵، ۸
ColoursYellow, grey, brown, gold
SymbolsChrysanthemum, sunflower
Sign Compatibility
- • Rat, Dragon, Monkey — innovators and achievers.
- • Ox, Snake, Rooster — thinkers and builders.
- • Tiger, Horse, Dog — protectors and leaders.
- • Rabbit, Goat, Pig — artists and kind hearts.
- Signs opposite in the cycle (6 years apart) usually face the hardest match and need patience and understanding.
The Chinese zodiac is a gentle guide to knowing yourself and others; every sign carries a light that shines through awareness.