Chinese zodiac
Chinese zodiac compatibility Best matches, secret friends and clashing signs
Chinese zodiac compatibility is based on where two signs sit on the zodiac wheel. Signs four years apart are natural allies, signs six years apart pull in opposite directions, and every sign has one secret friend.
- 4 triangles
- 6 secret friends
- 6 opposites
Choose your sign
The four triangles of affinity
The 12 animals fall into four groups of three. Signs in the same group are four years apart and tend to understand each other with little effort.
The doers: Rat, Dragon, Monkey
Ambitious, energetic and quick to act. These three share drive and a love of big plans.
The free spirits: Tiger, Horse, Dog
Idealistic, independent and loyal. These three share courage and a need for freedom.
The peacemakers: Rabbit, Goat, Pig
Gentle, artistic and kind. These three share empathy and a love of harmony.
Secret friends and opposites
Secret friends
Each sign has one quiet ally who offers steady support.
- Rat and Ox
- Tiger and Pig
- Rabbit and Dog
- Dragon and Rooster
- Snake and Monkey
- Horse and Goat
Opposite signs
Signs six years apart want different things and need more compromise.
- Rat and Horse
- Ox and Goat
- Tiger and Monkey
- Rabbit and Rooster
- Dragon and Dog
- Snake and Pig
Chinese zodiac compatibility chart
★ best match ▲ challenging · balanced
| Rat | Ox | Tig | Rab | Dra | Sna | Hor | Goa | Mon | Roo | Dog | Pig | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | · | ★ | · | · | ★ | · | ▲ | ▲ | ★ | · | · | · |
| Ox | ★ | · | · | · | · | ★ | ▲ | ▲ | · | ★ | · | · |
| Tiger | · | · | · | · | · | ▲ | ★ | · | ▲ | · | ★ | ★ |
| Rabbit | · | · | · | · | ▲ | · | · | ★ | · | ▲ | ★ | ★ |
| Dragon | ★ | · | · | ▲ | · | · | · | · | ★ | ★ | ▲ | · |
| Snake | · | ★ | ▲ | · | · | · | · | · | ★ | ★ | · | ▲ |
| Horse | ▲ | ▲ | ★ | · | · | · | · | ★ | · | · | ★ | · |
| Goat | ▲ | ▲ | · | ★ | · | · | ★ | · | · | · | · | ★ |
| Monkey | ★ | · | ▲ | · | ★ | ★ | · | · | · | · | · | ▲ |
| Rooster | · | ★ | · | ▲ | ★ | ★ | · | · | · | · | ▲ | · |
| Dog | · | · | ★ | ★ | ▲ | · | ★ | · | · | ▲ | · | · |
| Pig | · | · | ★ | ★ | · | ▲ | · | ★ | ▲ | · | · | · |
Compatibility questions, answered
Which Chinese zodiac signs are most compatible?
Signs in the same triangle of affinity are the most compatible: Rat, Dragon and Monkey; Ox, Snake and Rooster; Tiger, Horse and Dog; and Rabbit, Goat and Pig. Each sign also has a secret friend.
Which Chinese zodiac signs clash?
Signs six years apart sit opposite each other on the wheel and are said to clash: Rat and Horse, Ox and Goat, Tiger and Monkey, Rabbit and Rooster, Dragon and Dog, and Snake and Pig.
Can clashing signs have a good relationship?
Yes. Compatibility describes tendencies, not outcomes. Opposite signs often attract, and the relationship can work well when both people understand where the friction comes from.
Check both your signs
Enter each date of birth to confirm your Chinese zodiac animals and elements before you compare.