虎Chinese zodiac · 3rd sign
Year of the Tiger 虎 (hǔ) · Bold, magnetic and born to lead
The Tiger is the third sign and the zodiac’s natural leader. People born in a Tiger year are courageous, competitive and hard to ignore.
- Yang sign
- Fixed element: Wood
- Hours: 3am–5am
- Branch: 寅 yín
Recent years
1998 · 2010 · 2022
Lucky numbers
1, 3, 4
Lucky colors
Blue, gray, orange
Lucky flowers
Yellow lily, cineraria
Best matches
Horse, Dog, Pig
Challenging matches
Monkey, Snake
Year of the Tiger dates
The Year of the Tiger comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Fire Tiger is not quite the same as an Earth Tiger.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 13 Feb 1926 – 1 Feb 1927 | Fire Tiger | 丙寅 (bǐng yín) |
| 1938 | 31 Jan 1938 – 18 Feb 1939 | Earth Tiger | 戊寅 (wù yín) |
| 1950 | 17 Feb 1950 – 5 Feb 1951 | Metal Tiger | 庚寅 (gēng yín) |
| 1962 | 5 Feb 1962 – 24 Jan 1963 | Water Tiger | 壬寅 (rén yín) |
| 1974 | 23 Jan 1974 – 10 Feb 1975 | Wood Tiger | 甲寅 (jiǎ yín) |
| 1986 | 9 Feb 1986 – 28 Jan 1987 | Fire Tiger | 丙寅 (bǐng yín) |
| 1998 | 28 Jan 1998 – 15 Feb 1999 | Earth Tiger | 戊寅 (wù yín) |
| 2010 | 14 Feb 2010 – 2 Feb 2011 | Metal Tiger | 庚寅 (gēng yín) |
| 2022 | 1 Feb 2022 – 21 Jan 2023 | Water Tiger | 壬寅 (rén yín) |
| 2034 | 19 Feb 2034 – 7 Feb 2035 | Wood Tiger | 甲寅 (jiǎ yín) |
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.
Tiger personality
Tigers act on conviction. They are warm, generous and protective of those they love, with a strong sense of justice and a low tolerance for being told what to do. Their moods can change as quickly as their plans.
Strengths
- Courageous and decisive
- Charismatic leader
- Generous and protective
- Thrives on challenge
Weaknesses
- Impulsive and impatient
- Dislikes taking orders
- Restless
- Quick temper
The five types of Tiger
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Tiger’s own fixed element is Wood, and each Tiger 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.
Tiger love and compatibility
Tigers fall hard and love intensely. They need excitement, honesty and a partner secure enough to share the spotlight and give them space.
In Chinese astrology the Tiger gets on best with the Horse, Dog and Pig. The Monkey is the Tiger’s opposite sign, and the Snake can also be a testing match.
Tiger career and wellbeing
Career and money
Tigers shine when they can lead, compete or champion a cause. Routine drains them; a mission energizes them.
- Management and leadership
- Politics and advocacy
- Travel and exploration
- Performing arts and sport
Health and wellbeing
Tigers burn bright. Vigorous exercise helps them release tension, but they need to schedule recovery as seriously as activity.
Lucky numbers: 1, 3, 4. Lucky colors: blue, gray, orange. Lucky flowers: Yellow lily, cineraria.
The Tiger 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
The Horse belongs to the same compatibility triangle as the Tiger, which makes 2026 a naturally supportive year for new plans.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
A steady year for the Tiger. In 2027 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
The Tiger 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 Tiger fought the river’s strong currents on raw strength and came ashore third.
The Tiger is the 3rd sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 寅 (yín), the hours 3am–5am and Yang energy.
Tiger questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Tiger?
Recent Years of the Tiger are 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 and 2022. 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 Tiger’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Tiger are traditionally brave, confident and magnetic. Tigers act on conviction.
Who is the Tiger most compatible with?
The Tiger is most compatible with the Horse, Dog and Pig. The most challenging matches are the Monkey and Snake.
What are the Tiger’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Tiger’s lucky numbers are 1, 3, 4 and its lucky colors are blue, gray, orange. Numbers traditionally avoided are 6, 7, 8, and colors to avoid are white, gold.
What element is the Tiger?
The Tiger’s fixed element is Wood. In addition, every Tiger year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Tiger, Fire Tiger, Earth Tiger, Metal Tiger and Water Tiger.
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.
