Chinese zodiac
The five elements of the Chinese zodiac Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water
Your Chinese zodiac sign is more than an animal. Every year also carries one of five elements, the wǔ xíng (五行), which shapes how the animal’s character is expressed. Together they create 60 different signs.
- 5 elements
- 60 combinations
- 2 years per element
What each element means
木 Wood (mù)
Wood is the element of growth. It brings warmth, generosity and a cooperative spirit, and Wood types are expansive thinkers who like to build things with other people.
- Season: Spring
- Color: Green
- Direction: East
- Planet: Jupiter
- Birth years ending in: 4 or 5
火 Fire (huǒ)
Fire is the element of action. It brings passion, courage and charisma, and Fire types are decisive, expressive and drawn to leadership.
- Season: Summer
- Color: Red
- Direction: South
- Planet: Mars
- Birth years ending in: 6 or 7
土 Earth (tǔ)
Earth is the element of stability. It brings patience, realism and common sense, and Earth types are careful planners who value security.
- Season: Late summer
- Color: Yellow
- Direction: Center
- Planet: Saturn
- Birth years ending in: 8 or 9
水 Water (shuǐ)
Water is the element of wisdom. It brings intuition, flexibility and a gift for communication, and Water types read people well and go around obstacles rather than through them.
- Season: Winter
- Color: Black and blue
- Direction: North
- Planet: Mercury
- Birth years ending in: 2 or 3
Which element are you?
Your element comes from the last digit of your birth year.
| Last digit of birth year | Element | Typical qualities |
|---|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Metal 金 | Determined, disciplined and ambitious |
| 2 or 3 | Water 水 | Intuitive, adaptable and perceptive |
| 4 or 5 | Wood 木 | Generous, cooperative and idealistic |
| 6 or 7 | Fire 火 | Passionate, dynamic and charismatic |
| 8 or 9 | Earth 土 | Grounded, practical and reliable |
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.
How the elements interact
The generating cycle
Each element feeds the next, and signs linked this way tend to support each other.
- →Wood feeds Fire
- →Fire creates Earth (ash)
- →Earth bears Metal
- →Metal carries Water
- →Water nourishes Wood
The controlling cycle
Each element also keeps another in check, which can create friction or useful discipline.
- →Wood parts Earth
- →Earth dams Water
- →Water puts out Fire
- →Fire melts Metal
- →Metal cuts Wood
All 60 element signs
Choose an animal and element to read about that sign. Each cell shows the birth years it covers.
Fixed elements
As well as the element of the year, each animal has a fixed element of its own that never changes. The Tiger and Rabbit are Wood; the Snake and Horse are Fire; the Ox, Dragon, Goat and Dog are Earth; the Monkey and Rooster are Metal; and the Pig and Rat are Water. When the year element matches the fixed element, as in the Fire Horse, the sign’s character is doubled.
Elements questions, answered
What are the five elements of the Chinese zodiac?
The five elements, or wǔ xíng, are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each rules two years in a row and gives every animal sign five different types.
How do I find my Chinese zodiac element?
Look at the last digit of your birth year: 0 or 1 is Metal, 2 or 3 is Water, 4 or 5 is Wood, 6 or 7 is Fire and 8 or 9 is Earth. If you were born in January or February before Lunar New Year, use the previous year.
Which elements are compatible?
Elements that generate each other get on most easily: Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal carries Water and Water nourishes Wood. Elements that control each other, such as Water and Fire, create more friction.
Find your animal and element
Enter your date of birth to see your Chinese zodiac animal and element in one step.