兔Chinese zodiac · 4th sign
Year of the Rabbit 兔 (tù) · Gentle, graceful and quietly shrewd
The Rabbit is the fourth sign and a symbol of peace, luck and longevity. People born in a Rabbit year are kind, tactful and far more astute than they first appear.
- Yin sign
- Fixed element: Wood
- Hours: 5am–7am
- Branch: 卯 mǎo
Recent years
1999 · 2011 · 2023
Lucky numbers
3, 4, 6
Lucky colors
Pink, purple, red
Lucky flowers
Plantain lily, jasmine
Best matches
Goat, Pig, Dog
Challenging matches
Rooster, Dragon
Year of the Rabbit dates
The Year of the Rabbit comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Fire Rabbit is not quite the same as an Earth Rabbit.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 2 Feb 1927 – 22 Jan 1928 | Fire Rabbit | 丁卯 (dīng mǎo) |
| 1939 | 19 Feb 1939 – 7 Feb 1940 | Earth Rabbit | 己卯 (jǐ mǎo) |
| 1951 | 6 Feb 1951 – 26 Jan 1952 | Metal Rabbit | 辛卯 (xīn mǎo) |
| 1963 | 25 Jan 1963 – 12 Feb 1964 | Water Rabbit | 癸卯 (guǐ mǎo) |
| 1975 | 11 Feb 1975 – 30 Jan 1976 | Wood Rabbit | 乙卯 (yǐ mǎo) |
| 1987 | 29 Jan 1987 – 16 Feb 1988 | Fire Rabbit | 丁卯 (dīng mǎo) |
| 1999 | 16 Feb 1999 – 4 Feb 2000 | Earth Rabbit | 己卯 (jǐ mǎo) |
| 2011 | 3 Feb 2011 – 22 Jan 2012 | Metal Rabbit | 辛卯 (xīn mǎo) |
| 2023 | 22 Jan 2023 – 9 Feb 2024 | Water Rabbit | 癸卯 (guǐ mǎo) |
| 2035 | 8 Feb 2035 – 27 Jan 2036 | Wood Rabbit | 乙卯 (yǐ mǎo) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
Rabbit personality
Rabbits dislike conflict and are skilled at smoothing it over. They have refined taste, a good memory for people and a cautious streak that keeps them out of trouble. Beneath the calm they are observant and strategic.
Strengths
- Tactful and diplomatic
- Kind and considerate
- Good judge of character
- Artistic eye
Weaknesses
- Avoids confrontation
- Can be overly cautious
- Sensitive to criticism
- May hide true feelings
The five types of Rabbit
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Rabbit’s own fixed element is Wood, and each Rabbit year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Rabbit love and compatibility
Rabbits are romantic, attentive partners who create a peaceful home. They need gentleness and reassurance and withdraw from drama.
In Chinese astrology the Rabbit gets on best with the Goat, Pig and Dog. The Rooster is the Rabbit’s opposite sign, and the Dragon can also be a testing match.
Rabbit career and wellbeing
Career and money
Rabbits excel where tact, taste and patience are needed. They negotiate well and are valued as trusted advisers.
- Design and the arts
- Diplomacy and public relations
- Counseling and education
- Law and mediation
Health and wellbeing
Rabbits absorb other people’s stress. Quiet time, gentle exercise and a tidy, calm space restore them.
Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 6. Lucky colors: pink, purple, red. Lucky flowers: Plantain lily, jasmine.
The Rabbit in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
A steady year for the Rabbit. In 2026 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
The Goat belongs to the same compatibility triangle as the Rabbit, which makes 2027 a naturally supportive year for new plans.
The Rabbit in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Rabbit crossed the river by hopping across stones and floating on a log, finishing fourth.
The Rabbit is the 4th sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 卯 (mǎo), the hours 5am–7am and Yin energy.
Rabbit questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Rabbit?
Recent Years of the Rabbit are 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 and 2023. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Rabbit’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are traditionally gentle, diplomatic and graceful. Rabbits dislike conflict and are skilled at smoothing it over.
Who is the Rabbit most compatible with?
The Rabbit is most compatible with the Goat, Pig and Dog. The most challenging matches are the Rooster and Dragon.
What are the Rabbit’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Rabbit’s lucky numbers are 3, 4, 6 and its lucky colors are pink, purple, red. Numbers traditionally avoided are 1, 7, 8, and colors to avoid are dark brown, dark yellow.
What element is the Rabbit?
The Rabbit’s fixed element is Wood. In addition, every Rabbit year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Rabbit, Fire Rabbit, Earth Rabbit, Metal Rabbit and Water Rabbit.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.
