DE CHINESE ZODIAK

Personally, I find it rather mysterious why Chinese astrology is called “astrology” at all, since no planets or stars are involved: after all, “aster” means star. The well-known twelve Chinese zodiac animals are essentially a division of the calendar—both the rotation of the Earth on its axis (the 24 hours of the day) and the rotation of the Earth around the Sun (the year). In that sense, cosmic factors are indeed involved, because every form of timekeeping and every calendar is based on the relationships between the Sun, Moon, and Earth.

A “true” Chinese astrologer actually places very little importance on the twelve animal symbols of the Chinese Zodiac (Rat, Ox, Dragon, etc.), probably just as a “true” Western astrologer does not attach excessive value to the twelve zodiac constellations (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc.). Chinese astrology is far more complex than merely dividing people into twelve animal signs—after all, it would be absurd if everyone born in the same year, for example under the sign of the Tiger, all shared exactly the same personality traits.

And yet, when studying these twelve symbols, I had to admit that I recognized quite a lot in them—no matter how crazy that may sound.

The Chinese zodiac repeats itself every twelve years. Western astrologers quickly think of the planet Jupiter, which also has a twelve-year cycle—actually 11.88 years, to be precise. Does this mean that everyone born in the Year of the Dog has Jupiter-in-Scorpio traits? That may be partly true, but after five full cycles of twelve signs—sixty years—Jupiter has shifted into the next sign. So Jupiter alone cannot explain it.

Interestingly, the Chinese system also works with five cycles, because in addition to the animal signs it uses the five Chinese “elements” (not to be confused with Western elements): Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, and Metal.

THE RAT

The Rat is a very expressive person—charming, but also aggressive. At parties, Rats can chat endlessly with others, and it is rare to see a Rat sitting quietly alone. Rats usually have more acquaintances than close friends, but the friends they do have are respected and cherished. Once you form a true friendship with a Rat, you are treated like family.

The Rat tends to keep personal problems to themselves, almost as if they are denying them. Although they can sometimes be petty or even mean, they are also very honest and straightforward. They may be endlessly dissatisfied, but if they learn to manage this trait, they usually achieve great success in life.

Most Rats accomplish more in 24 hours than many people do in a week. They possess strong instincts and confidently charge ahead. However, the Rat can also be extremely stubborn and will certainly not follow rules imposed by others—only their own. This makes working with a Rat challenging, especially since they are also highly perfectionistic.

Rats are well-organized and highly talented, which is why they often excel as politicians or businesspeople. Unfortunately, they tend to spend money as quickly as they earn it, which may explain why they are reluctant to lend money—certainly not without something in return or interest.

The Rat is not romantic, but is sensual and full of love. Rats can be difficult to understand because they are very protective, yet they are loyal and devoted to family and loved ones. As the first sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle, the Rat symbolizes the pioneer. Restless and inquisitive, they live busy lives, love challenges and travel, possess a great sense of humor, and are generally extroverted.

Relationships:
One of the best matches for the Rat is the Dragon. They can also have a stable and peaceful relationship with the Ox. Relationships with the Pig work well, as they admire each other, and with the Monkey they form a loving and playful bond. Two Rats together can also be very successful.

With the Tiger, both partners must persevere for the relationship to work. Rats and Rabbits should stay away from each other, and with the Snake, friendship is better than intimacy. A relationship with the Horse is hopeless, and with the Goat it usually doesn’t work either. With the Rooster it is fiery but short-lived, and with the Dog—worth a try.

January is the Rat’s best month. Their best time of day is from 11 PM to 1 AM. Their direction is North, and their color is light blue.

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THE OX

The Ox works hard and is persistent: once started, they will stick with a task longer than anyone else. They believe in themselves but tend to divide everything into two categories without nuance—simply good or bad. They maintain high standards and can be strict in their judgments.

The Ox is not a party animal and not particularly social. They are calm and sometimes slow by nature. They reflect deeply, but when angered they can become impulsive. It is best not to get in an Ox’s way.

Oxen have remarkable memories and are excellent in business, though they can be stubborn and dogmatic. They may feel misunderstood by those close to them, yet they remain patient, responsible, and loyal. Rarely jealous, they are faithful, conservative, and family-oriented. Security is extremely important to them.

Relationships:
With the Rat, the Ox can have a very stable relationship. With another Ox, the relationship is extremely conservative but protective. Relationships with the Snake can be very good, and with the Monkey they are stable and harmonious. With the Rooster, happiness is likely.

With the Dog, relationships are difficult but not impossible. With the Pig, it is worth trying. However, with the Tiger—never start, it will never work. With the Rabbit it might work. With the Dragon, constant conflict is likely. With the Horse it definitely does not work, and with the Goat it usually doesn’t either.

February is the best month for the Ox. Their best time is between 1 and 3 AM. Their direction is north-northeast, and their color is violet.

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THE TIGER

The Tiger is impulsive, adventurous, and full of contradictions. Tigers act on intuition rather than logic and often leap before they look. They are born leaders, though they don’t always enjoy responsibility. Their unpredictable nature makes them exciting but sometimes difficult.

Tigers are rebels at heart and hate being controlled. They fight passionately for justice and are often drawn to social or political causes. Their courage is admirable, but they can also be reckless and impatient.

The Tiger loves drama, risk, and excitement. Routine suffocates them. They are generous, warm, and capable of great love, but they may lose interest quickly if life becomes too predictable.

Relationships:
Tigers are best matched with the Horse and the Dog. With the Dragon, the relationship is passionate but volatile. With the Pig, harmony is possible. Two Tigers together create fireworks—for better or worse.

With the Ox or Snake, power struggles dominate. With the Rat, trust is difficult. With the Rabbit, the Tiger is too intense. With the Monkey, conflict is constant, and with the Rooster, clashes are inevitable.

March is the Tiger’s best month. Their best time of day is between 3 and 5 AM. Their direction is east-northeast, and their color is orange.

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THE RABBIT

The Rabbit is gentle, elegant, and diplomatic. Rabbits avoid conflict and are masters of tact. They love comfort, beauty, and harmony, and are often gifted artists or aesthetes.

Rabbits are sensitive and intuitive, but also cautious and sometimes overly worried. They dislike sudden changes and prefer stability and safety. When threatened, they retreat rather than confront.

They make loyal friends and devoted partners, but they need emotional security. Rabbits can be surprisingly strong when protecting loved ones.

Relationships:
Excellent matches for the Rabbit include the Goat and the Pig. With the Dog, mutual understanding is strong. Two Rabbits together can create a peaceful and refined life.

With the Tiger, the Rabbit feels overwhelmed. With the Dragon, insecurity dominates. With the Rat, trust is fragile. With the Horse, rhythms clash. With the Rooster, tensions arise, and with the Monkey, misunderstanding is constant.

April is the Rabbit’s best month. Their best time is between 5 and 7 AM. Their direction is east, and their color is soft green.

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THE DRAGON

The Dragon is powerful, charismatic, and full of vitality. Dragons think big and live intensely. They demand a lot from themselves and from others and are natural leaders.

Dragons are honest and direct—sometimes brutally so. They hate hypocrisy and mediocrity. Although they may seem arrogant, they are generous and protective of those they care about.

They are driven by passion and ambition and are rarely content with small goals. Dragons can burn themselves out if they don’t learn moderation.

Relationships:
The Dragon matches best with the Rat and the Monkey. With the Rooster, the relationship is dynamic and productive. Two Dragons together create a powerful but competitive union.

With the Dog, conflict is constant. With the Rabbit, insecurity undermines the bond. With the Ox, stubbornness clashes. With the Goat, misunderstandings arise. With the Horse, passion burns quickly. With the Pig, effort is required.

May is the Dragon’s best month. Their best time is between 7 and 9 AM. Their direction is east-southeast, and their color is red.

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THE SNAKE

The Snake is wise, intuitive, and mysterious. Snakes think deeply and act strategically. They rarely reveal their true thoughts and prefer to observe before making a move.

Snakes possess strong intuition and psychological insight. They are often drawn to philosophy, spirituality, or the hidden sides of life. Although calm on the surface, their inner world is intense.

They value privacy and independence. When betrayed, a Snake never forgets. They can be jealous, but also deeply loyal and protective toward those they love.

Relationships:
The Snake forms excellent relationships with the Ox and the Rooster. With the Dragon, there is mutual respect and attraction. Two Snakes together create a quiet but powerful bond.

With the Tiger, power struggles arise. With the Rabbit, the Snake feels misunderstood. With the Rat, trust is fragile. With the Horse, tension dominates. With the Goat, emotional distance forms. With the Pig, differences are difficult to bridge.

June is the Snake’s best month. Their best time is between 9 and 11 AM. Their direction is south-southeast, and their color is dark green.

THE HORSE

The Horse is energetic, independent, and freedom-loving. Horses hate restrictions and need constant movement and change. They are sociable and often the center of attention.

Horses are hardworking and capable, but can be impatient and impulsive. They follow their heart rather than long-term plans and may change direction suddenly.

They are warm, generous, and passionate lovers, but they need space. If they feel trapped, they will run—sometimes without looking back.

Relationships:
The Horse matches best with the Tiger, Dog, and Goat. With the Dragon, attraction is strong but unstable. Two Horses together live intensely but chaotically.

With the Rat, conflict is constant. With the Ox, values clash. With the Rabbit, rhythms differ. With the Snake, tension builds. With the Monkey, competition dominates. With the Rooster, misunderstandings arise.

July is the Horse’s best month. Their best time is between 11 AM and 1 PM. Their direction is south, and their color is bright red.

THE GOAT

The Goat is gentle, creative, and compassionate. Goats are sensitive souls who value beauty, art, and emotional connection. They dislike confrontation and harsh realities.

They can be insecure and dependent, but also deeply caring and generous. Goats flourish in supportive environments and struggle when they feel criticized or unsupported.

They possess strong artistic talent and emotional intelligence. When loved and encouraged, they blossom fully.

Relationships:
The Goat matches best with the Rabbit, Pig, and Horse. With the Monkey, cooperation is possible. Two Goats together create a tender but fragile bond.

With the Ox, the Goat feels restricted. With the Tiger, life is too intense. With the Dragon, misunderstandings dominate. With the Snake, emotional distance arises. With the Rat, security is lacking. With the Rooster, criticism hurts deeply.

August is the Goat’s best month. Their best time is between 1 and 3 PM. Their direction is south-southwest, and their color is peach.

THE MONKEY

The Monkey is intelligent, playful, and endlessly curious. Monkeys learn quickly and love solving problems. Their humor and charm make them popular in social settings.

They are clever strategists but can also be manipulative or mischievous. Monkeys get bored easily and constantly seek new challenges and stimulation.

Their creativity and adaptability help them succeed in almost any field, though they must guard against superficiality.

Relationships:
The Monkey matches best with the Rat and the Dragon. With the Goat, cooperation is possible, and with the Snake, attraction is strong but complex. Two Monkeys together are lively but unstable.

With the Tiger, rivalry dominates. With the Rabbit, communication fails. With the Ox, stubbornness clashes. With the Horse, competition arises. With the Rooster, ego conflicts appear. With the Dog, trust is difficult. With the Pig, generosity is taken for granted.

September is the Monkey’s best month. Their best time is between 3 and 5 PM. Their direction is west-southwest, and their color is yellow.

THE ROOSTER

The Rooster is confident, outspoken, and perfectionistic. Roosters love order and clarity and are quick to point out flaws—both their own and others’.

They are hardworking and detail-oriented but can come across as critical or arrogant. Despite their bravado, Roosters often feel vulnerable inside.

Roosters value honesty and loyalty. When they commit, they are devoted and protective partners.

Relationships:
The Rooster matches best with the Ox and the Snake. With the Dragon, there is mutual ambition and drive. Two Roosters together create a sharp but competitive partnership.

With the Rat, distrust arises. With the Tiger, clashes are intense. With the Rabbit, criticism hurts deeply. With the Horse, misunderstanding dominates. With the Monkey, ego battles erupt. With the Goat, sensitivity is wounded. With the Dog, friction is constant. With the Pig, expectations differ.

October is the Rooster’s best month. Their best time is between 5 and 7 PM. Their direction is west, and their color is white.

THE DOG

The Dog is loyal, honest, and protective. Dogs have a strong sense of justice and are deeply committed to those they love.

They can be pessimistic and anxious, always expecting the worst. However, their intentions are pure, and they are willing to sacrifice themselves for others.

Dogs need trust and emotional security. Once betrayed, they struggle to recover.

Relationships:
The Dog matches best with the Tiger and the Horse. With the Rabbit, mutual understanding is strong. With the Pig, warmth and trust flourish. Two Dogs together form a loyal but worried pair.

With the Dragon, conflict is inevitable. With the Ox, rigidity dominates. With the Snake, mistrust arises. With the Monkey, chaos reigns. With the Rooster, criticism wounds. With the Goat, insecurity grows. With the Rat, suspicion lingers.

November is the Dog’s best month. Their best time is between 7 and 9 PM. Their direction is west-northwest, and their color is gray.

THE PIG

The Pig is generous, sincere, and pleasure-loving. Pigs enjoy life’s comforts and are warm, tolerant, and trusting.

They can be naive and easily disappointed, but their optimism and kindness remain intact. Pigs prefer peace over conflict and believe in the good in people.

They are hardworking when motivated and deeply devoted to loved ones.

Relationships:
The Pig matches best with the Rabbit and the Goat. With the Tiger, mutual respect develops. With the Dog, trust and warmth grow. Two Pigs together create a comfortable and indulgent life.

With the Snake, values differ. With the Monkey, generosity is exploited. With the Rooster, criticism hurts. With the Ox, rigidity clashes. With the Horse, priorities differ. With the Rat, mistrust arises. With the Dragon, intensity overwhelms.

December is the Pig’s best month. Their best time is between 9 and 11 PM. Their direction is north-northwest, and their color is soft pink.