Discover Your Chinese Element
In Chinese astrology, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements — this association is your “lucky” element. Each element has a dominant year based on the Chinese zodiac animal. Below is a way to find your “lucky” element:
Your Chinese Animal SignRat: Intelligent, clever, charming and persuasive
2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936
Ox: Stubborn, patient, conservative
2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937
Tiger: Brave, passionate, commanding
2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938
Rabbit: Earnest, likable, empathetic
2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939
Dragon: Intrepid, cunning, spirited, strong
2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940
Snake: Shy, friendly, astute, inviting
2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941
Horse: Restless, wanderlust, self-reliant
2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942
Sheep/Goat: Coy, timid, peaceful
2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931
Monkey: Lively, boisterous, fun
2015, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932
Rooster: Perceptive, diligent, pragmatic
2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933
Dog: Loyal, kindhearted, forgiving
2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934
Pig: Sympathetic, appreciative, honest
2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935
Your “Lucky” ElementWood: Tiger, RabbitFire: Snake, HorseEarth: Ox, Dragon, Goat, DogMetal: Monkey, RoosterWater: Pig, Rat
However, when asking “What Chinese Element Am I？” the real answer is determined entirely by your birth year.
If the last number in your birth year is:
0 or 1, you are a metal element.2 or 3, you are a water element.4 or 5, you are a wood element.6 or 7, you are a fire element.8 or 9, you are an earth element.What Your Chinese Element MeansWood
Wood is generous and expansive and cares deeply for others. As with bamboo, Wood is strong yet flexible and is a natural-born leader. Its roots dig deep into the Earth, constantly looking to expand and push forward. However, Wood also needs moisture to survive. The characteristics of Wood are often associated with sensuality and patience. However, to balance this, Wood can also be intrusive and aggressive.
Strengths:
Patient and understandingWarm, sociable, and compassionateFlexible and adaptableStable and practicalGenerous
Weaknesses:
Doesn’t have a good grasp of boundaries or limitsCan be too passiveYields easily under pressureCan rely too heavily on othersFire
Fire is always directed upward, and its energy seems never-ending. It is persistent and strong, but it also spreads and wanders easily. Those with Fire as their element tend to be thrill-seekers who roam from one adventurous moment to the next. Fire is often associated with warmth, passion, and the need to create.
However, on the reverse side, it can also be related to aggression, impatience, and destruction. While Fire can provide heat and warmth, it can also burn. Fire cannot exist on its own. While it is bright and exciting, it needs the stability of Wood to continue thriving.
Strengths:
Passionate and enthusiasticCreativePersuasive and charismaticSpontaneous and adventurousAlways up for a challengeWarm and loving
Weaknesses:
Attention seekingImpatientManipulativeSusceptible to mood swingsAggressiveImpulsive and volatileDislike being aloneEarth
Earth is stabilizing and mediating. It is a natural-born peacekeeper. Earth is patient, thoughtful, and calm. While the Earth is warm and nurturing, it can also become easily self-centered as it believes it is the center of everything. Earth is protective and represents the roots that hold everything together, but it can also become controlling. People of this element contain a vast amount of empathy and find themselves constantly worried about the happiness of others.
Strengths:
Stable and rootedSerious, practical, and logicalCompassionate, caring, and empatheticResponsibleLoyal and honestNurturingOrganized and good at planningStrong and enduringHardworking
Weaknesses:
OverprotectiveStubbornConservative — have trouble taking risksReservedMetal
Metal is the diamond found in the rough — it is the breath of life. Metal respects itself and also respects others. It is strong and hard, but can adapt and change under pressure. Metal is often seen to be unyielding, rigid, and determined. People with this element tend to be minimalists — enjoying the simplicity of an organized, clean life. However, on the negative side, Metal can also be forceful and controlling. Metal is matter-of-fact and does not see a need for complex or unnecessary emotion in its life.
Strengths:
CourageousAmbitious and competitiveIndependentDetermined, disciplined, and focusedHigh morals and high standards
Weaknesses:
Lacks communication skillsStubborn and sometimes unreasonableJudgingSusceptible to being cruel and mercilessCuts ties easilyJadedWater
In Chinese Taoist philosophy, Water represents intelligence and wisdom. Water is flexible yet strong, flowing yet still, calm yet dangerous. For Water, the surface is only the beginning, with the real movement hidden in its depths. Those with the Water element are not reclusive, but enjoy their own company and time for inner reflection. They are often quiet and peaceful but have a great capacity to overwhelm others.
Strengths:
DiplomaticObservantEmpathetic and good mediatorsPersistent and determinedIntuitive and flexibleGentle yet strong
Weaknesses
Self-IndulgentToo passiveRely on others too muchIndecisiveAnxiousWhat are the Emotions Related to the Five Elements？Fire
Joy, laughter, and passion are typically associated with the Fire element. The desire for excitement and new experiences is ever-persistent. The constant flickering and wavering of flames is symbolic of one’s constantly flowing energy. Sometimes, this sentiment can be a little too intense, leading to anxiety or unease, but it serves as a reminder to maintain equilibrium, never losing that energy and burning out.
Water
The Water element is associated with fear and is often tied to darkness and cold. This fear, however, provides one with an awareness of the potential dangers or obstacles that could knock us off course in the ebbs and flows of our life path. When the Water element is in harmony, one can find that their willpower and endurance become stronger.
Earth
The Earth element represents worry, concern, sympathy, and melancholy. Other emotions tied to Earth are pensiveness, overanalysis, and obsessiveness, which one needs to be aware of to prevent this element from leading them to be overly controlling. Balancing the Earth element can result in one having better analytical skills and stronger concentration.
Metal
Metal is associated with sadness or grief as it represents an inability to be perfect. Although these types of emotions aren’t exactly pleasant to experience, they’re a part of life and unavoidable. Serving as a reminder to remain stoic, strong, and resolute, Metal also can prevent us from relaxing and letting go. However, a balanced Metal element will allow one to better process grief and sadness so as not to be consumed by it.
Wood
Wood, as an element, is tied to anger, frustration, and disappointment. As wood expands, it can become gnarled and stunted if it is not allowed to grow. To enhance decisiveness, action, and motivation, one must achieve harmony with this element.
Which Chinese Zodiac Sign Elements are Compatible？
Understanding the compatibility between Chinese zodiac sign elements can be enlightening and highly rewarding. Knowing which are compatible lets one gather insight into their relationships and interactions with others as well as their own personality traits. Peaceful interactions are often had with those that share compatible elements, while it’s possible (though not always the case) to experience potential challenges in communication or compatibility for those with conflicting elements.
RatCompatible with: Ox, Dragon, MonkeyModerate with: Rat, TigerIncompatible with: Horse, RoosterOxCompatible with: Rat, Snake, RoosterModerate with: Ox, MonkeyIncompatible with: Tiger, Dragon, Horse, SheepTigerCompatible with: Dragon, Horse, PigModerate with: Rat, RabbitIncompatible with: Ox, Tiger, Snake, MonkeyRabbitCompatible with: Sheep, Monkey, Dog, PigModerate with: Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, HorseIncompatible with: Snake, RoosterDragonCompatible with: Rooster, Rat, MonkeyModerate with: Rabbit, HorseIncompatible with: Ox, Sheep, DogSnakeCompatible with: Dragon, RoosterModerate with: DogIncompatible with: Tiger, Rabbit, Snak, Sheep, PigHorseCompatible with: Tiger, Sheep, RabbitModerate with: Rabbit, Dragon, Monkey, DogIncompatible with: Rat, Ox, Rooster, HorseSheepCompatible with: Horse, Rabbit, PigModerate with: RoosterIncompatible with: Ox, Tiger, DogMonkeyCompatible with: Ox, RabbitModerate with: Horse, RoosterIncompatible with: Tiger, PigRoosterCompatible with: Ox, SnakeModerate with: Sheep, Monkey, PigIncompatible with: Rat, Rabbit, Horse, Rooster, DogDogCompatible with: RabbitModerate with: Ox, Snake, Horse, DogIncompatible with: Dragon, Sheep, RoosterPigCompatible with: Tiger, Rabbit, SheepModerate with: RoosterIncompatible with: Snake, Monkey