Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
Type two birth dates. Each becomes an animal, counted from Lunar New Year, and the pair is matched against the traditional groups.
The traditional animal groups
Chinese astrology compares animals through a few fixed patterns rather than a score. The strongest is the trine: four groups of three animals, four years apart, said to think alike. Rat, Dragon and Monkey form one; Ox, Snake and Rooster another; Tiger, Horse and Dog a third; Rabbit, Goat and Pig the last.
Six pairs are secret friends, a quiet, supportive bond, such as Rat and Ox. Animals six years apart, such as Rat and Horse, clash, which the tradition reads as opposite temperaments. Six more pairs are called harm pairs, small irritations rather than open conflict. Every other pair has no special tie.
The birth year must be counted from Lunar New Year. A January baby can belong to the previous animal, and the working shows the date used for each person.
What each relation means
| Relation | Example pairs | In tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Same animal | Rat and Rat | Easy recognition, the same strengths and faults |
| Trine allies | Rat, Dragon, Monkey | Shared outlook, natural teamwork |
| Secret friends | Rat and Ox, Horse and Goat | Quiet support and loyalty |
| Clash | Rat and Horse, Ox and Goat | Opposite natures, needs patience |
| Harm pair | Rat and Goat, Ox and Horse | Small frictions and misunderstandings |
| No special tie | Rat and Rabbit | Neutral, depends on the people |
Worked examples
- Rat (1984-03-01) and Dragon (1988-03-01):
trine - Rat and Horse (1990-03-05), six years apart:
clash - Rat and Ox (1985-03-01):
secret-friends - Rat and Goat (1991-03-01):
harm
How this is calculated
Each birth date gives an animal from our Lunar New Year table. Trines: Rat Dragon Monkey, Ox Snake Rooster, Tiger Horse Dog, Rabbit Goat Pig. Secret friends: Rat-Ox, Tiger-Pig, Rabbit-Dog, Dragon-Rooster, Snake-Monkey, Horse-Goat. Clash: six years apart. Harm: Rat-Goat, Ox-Horse, Tiger-Snake, Rabbit-Dragon, Monkey-Pig, Rooster-Dog. No score.