Characteristics Of The 12 Animals Of The Chinese Zodiac

The characteristics of an individual could be determined from the year, month, time and place of birth, but character and attitude can change as the years go by. Horoscope.tips gives you some information helping you to know yourself and change to a better and successful life.

1. Born in the Year of the Rat (2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936)

In General

Creative, problem solver, imaginative, hyperactive worker and respected for its resourcefulness. Intuitive with ability in acquiring and holding on to things it values.

Outward personality is undoubtedly appealing, but below the surface, there often abides a crafty and opportunist character.

In financial matters, they are erratic, scrimping, cutting corners and budgeting carefully when money is scarce, but spending lavishly instead of saving in times of plenty.

Five Elements

Metal (1984):  Self-confident, hardworking, helpful, problem solver, prefers to work alone, and difficult to express their good points.

Water (1936, 1996): Introvert, creative, adventurous until safe heaven is found, systematic, and believes in justice.

Wood (1972): Freedom lover, imaginative, highly principled and not many close friends.

Fire (1948, 2008): Warm-hearted, aggressive, without caring about the consequences to follow after bad-tempered action. "Control" will gain more friends

Earth (1960, 2020): Materialistic, hard-worker, and hates the routine life. Not giving up when facing defeat will lead to success.

2. Born in the Year of the Ox (Buffalo) (2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937)

In General

Gentle, peace-loving, possesses great physical strength that makes it dangerous if angered. Conservative, independent, trusting and accepts others for what they are.

They may be unromantic, but there is no lack of affection for a few select friends.

In business, they often bring prosperity - not through entrepreneurial imagination and risk, but as a result of logical thought, resolute practicality and honest endurance.

Five Elements

Metal (1985): Honest, hard-working, stubborn, inflexible, trusting others, relaxation will lead to success

Water (1937, 1997): Peace-lover, good-listener, perfect lover, no ambition for self-advancement and unromantic.

Wood (1973): Bad-tempered, conservative, without caring about consequences to follow after volcanic temper, "cool head" will lead to gaining more friends.

Fire (1949, 2009): Kind-hearted, friendly, energetic; relaxing and accepting changes will lead to success.

Earth (1961, 2021):  Prefers stable and peaceful life. No ambitions but hard-worker.

3. Born in the Year of the Tiger (2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938)

In General

Strong, noble, aggressive, independent and courageous. Also tends to be selfish and short-tempered.

Tiger characteristics are considered unfeminine. Aggressive business will bring more favourable returns.

Tigers are likely to succeed in sales, personnel management and uniformed careers.

Five Elements

Metal (1962, 2022): Energetic, challenging to express their own opinion, ambitious and not a good diplomat. Relaxing and enjoying life will bring more enjoyment

Water (1974): Hard-worker, responsible, energetic, self-assured, expressing their talent will lead to success.

Wood (1950, 2010): Gentle, warm-hearted, relaxation will lead to having more close friends; express your talent when an opportunity arises.

Fire (1986): Outgoing, energetic and observant. Slowing down and relaxing will lead to further advancement.

Earth (1938, 1998):  Self-indulgent, not ambitious, takes things as they come, a little aggressiveness will lead to success.

4. Born in the Year of the Rabbit (Cat) (2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939)

In General

Uncomplicated, affectionate, attractive to the opposite sex, talented and ambitious. Realistic about its characteristics, it leaves leadership roles to the stronger.

Traditionally associated with clear-sightedness and is an excellent judge of character, with an instinct for recognising sincerity in others and an almost uncanny ability for sensing falsehood.

In personal relationships, even the most innocent deceptions will be identified almost at the moment they are perpetrated.

Five Elements

Metal (1963, 2023): Hard-worker, ambitious, good planner, loves to help others, confident; needs to relax to avoid a nervous breakdown.

Water (1975): Lack of ambition, self-contented, tends to escape from reality if the matter is not according to their wishes.

Wood (1951, 2011): Gentle, kind-hearted, less ambitious, peace and naturalist lover. Develop the artistic field to lead to success.

Fire (1987):  Passionate, friendly, there's always a smile on their faces; not good planners.

Earth (1939, 1999):  Peace-loving, hard-worker, realistic and no ambition.

5. Born in the Year of the Dragon (2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940)

In General

Powerful, gifted, full of vitality, possesses outstanding leadership capabilities, quick-tempered, prone to worry, and is perhaps too fastidious.

Firm and decisively resolute in a determination to follow interesting tracks which may lead nowhere.

Dragons could become wealthy were it not for the fact that spectacular gains are as often as not offset by money wasted elsewhere.

Five Elements

Metal (1940, 2000):  Brave, arrogant, frank, bad-tempered, opinionated, few close friends.

Water (1952, 2012):  Kind-hearted, caring, ambitious, withstands pressure, loves a challenge, and uses their good-relationships to succeed when opportunities are recognised.

Wood (1988): Peace-loving, elegant with a good eye for spotting the latest trends, impetuous and lacking judgment

Fire (1964, 2024): Warm-hearted, lack of organisation in decision-making and detailed planning.

Earth (1976):  Introvert, hard-working, meticulous planner, puts work ahead of family and friends.

6. Born in the Year of the Snake (2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941)

In General

Intellectual, talented, passionate and sometimes feared. Females are noted for their brains and beauty.

Snake-types are also adept at giving the impression they know far more about a subject than they intend to divulge, and while a strict sense of propriety prevents them from telling lies, they are not opposed to double-dealing when it suits them.

Their ability to gather up information suggests an aptitude for research, detection or academia, all areas that should satisfy their analytical brain. Social or domestic activities will generally need to be tailored to allow for powerful sensuality.

Five Elements

Metal (1941, 2001): Self-opinionated, egotistic, hard-working, difficulty to accept criticism, strong will-power and will take any measures to achieve ambition.

Water (1953, 2013): Introvert, good-tempered, calm, gentle and honourable, but lack of ambition and enthusiasm, resulting in being unaware of how to make the most of opportunities.

Wood (1989): Imaginative, creative, friendly, uses their relationship with others to achieve their goal; "patience" will lead to success.

Fire (1965, 2025):  Strong character with a bad temper, without caring about the consequences to follow after bad-tempered action. "Slow down and Rethink" will gain more friends.

Earth (1977): Friendly, conservative, a dreamer but has difficulty in accepting change.

7. Born in the Year of the Horse (2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942)

In General

The Horse loves life, has plenty of sex appeal, charming, smart, popular and moody.

On the serious side, they are hardworking, tenacious, and loyal. Horse-types are excellent talkers, never short of conversation, though less quick with ready ideas. The latest news is always a good opening gambit, and the Horse is still keen to hear other peoples' opinions. Deep-seated prejudices, however, are hard to dislodge.

Love of social contact remains the most vital force in the Horse's life, and whatever career is chosen, ideally, it will involve close liaison with others.

Five Elements

Metal (1954, 2014): Trustworthy, wide range of interests, hard-working, good leader and able to make the most of the opportunities offered.

Water (1966, 2026): Knows how to grasp the most of opportunities, charming, confident. A systematic approach, together with the willingness to accept advice, will lead to success.

Wood (1942, 2002):  Introvert, lack of confidence, imaginative, openness, and communicating with others will lead to a better life.

Fire (1978):  Energetic, will sacrifice anything to realise their ambition.

Earth (1990): Down to earth, un-ambitious, loves the good life. If the long-term plan applied will lead to success.

8. Born in the Year of the Goat (Sheep) (2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943)

In General

The Goat (Sheep) with its strong forehead and horns represents strength and courage. It is confident, persevering, and protective of the weak.

Non-judgmental of others, it is comfortable to be with the Goat and its cousin, the sheep. Their nature is best seen in its artistic talent. They can also be a touch too fastidious, which in many respects explains why their creative views are generally not fully explored.

The Goat may be involved, either professionally or voluntarily, in social work of some description, while sensitivity for the arts may well lead to a career in music or a craft.

Five Elements

Metal (1955, 2015): Opinionated, difficult to accepting reality, systematic, believes in justice and will argue a case to the very end. Easily upset by strangers should learn to relax.

Water (1967, 2027): Kind-hearted, self-controlled, values friendship, puts others first, self-confident, never afraid to face difficulties and will always complete a task.

Wood (1943, 2003): Kind-hearted, generous, always looks on the bright side when a crisis arises, always think of others first.

Fire (1979): Aggressive, ambitious, courageous, will always claim credit, unwilling to recognise self-faults.

Earth (1991):  Careful but suspicious and mistrustful of others' abilities; work hard to improve material needs, with no ambition for self-advancement.

9. Born in the Year of the Monkey (2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944)

In General

The Monkey is intelligent with a sense of humour, original thinker, practical, carries out plans successfully, curious, observant, friendly and introvert.

In general, they are incredibly versatile and can do well at almost anything. Success, however, can easily go to their head, bringing out a latent arrogance that often alienates friends. But it is rarely long before the Monkey's agreeable humour, and other engaging sociable qualities win them back. Older and wiser Monkeys can channel their active and fertile imaginations into the solving of extremely complex problems.

Five Elements

Metal (1992): Risk-taker, hard worker to achieve the target, independent and freedom lover.

Water (1944, 2004):  Patient, quick thinking, adventurer, popular in the social circle, and recognises opportunities.

Wood (1980): Talented, creative, warm-hearted, if confident, will lead to further success.

Fire (1956, 2016): Charming, aggressive, hasty, ambitious, recognising self-faults and accepting advice will lead to success.

Earth (1968, 2028): Funny, new invention lover, not an adventurer, no initiative with the opposite sex when relationships arise.

10. Born in the Year of the Rooster (2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945)

In General

The Rooster carries out the assignments conscientiously, and when faced with an adversary, it fights boldly. Always busy, seemingly self-centred, sensitive and attentive to its friends.

The Rooster is alert, joining a fundamental punctiliousness with precise attention to detail. The problems arrive when so many projects are taken on that, inevitably, the less troublesome get lost in the sheer volume.

In business and personal relationships, the quieter more reserved members of the Rooster's social circle or family may be neglected or forgotten.

Five Elements

Metal (1993):  Self-opinionated, inflexible, highly principled, relaxing will lead to success.

Water (1945, 2005):  Ambitious, frank, self-confident, adventurous, caring, without consideration for other consequences when achieving their target.

Wood (1981): Kind-hearted, enthusiastic, lacks in confidence, over consideration for consequences, difficulties in taking up challenges.

Fire (1957, 2017): Welcomes praise from others, enjoys a luxurious life, hard-worker, seldom stays at home, not many close friends.

Earth (1969, 2029): Conservative, moody, lacks in ambition.

11. Born in the Year of the Dog (2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946)

In General

Loyal, trusted, compassionate, protector and is always ready to give aid. Intensely defensive where friends and family are concerned, they will not stand by while others are maligned, but sometimes a refusal to listen to warnings regarding the behaviour of children or other loved ones can lead to severe domestic problems.

They have a sympathetic ear for other people's woes and are always ready with a shoulder to cry on. Rare displays of violent anger are almost always justified, but wrongs are quickly forgotten, and resentment only borne against those outside the intimate circle of family and friends.

Five Elements

Metal (1970, 2030): Loyal, work with their intuition, calm will lead to success, know how to control outgoings.

Water (1982): Active, charming, friendly, systematic, accept advice from friends and will have numbers of close friends.

Wood (1958, 2018): Independent, creative, protective, if confidence is increased will lead to success.

Fire (1994):  Intractable, kind-hearted, patient, controlling temper will lead to success.

Earth (1946, 2006): Materialistic ambitious, hard-worker, uses the relationship with friends to gain success, not many close friends.

12. Born in the Year of the Pig (Boar) (2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947)

In General

They are courageous, independent, quick-tempered, do not like to compromise, loners and have few friends that will keep for life. They possess high inner strength and endurance.

In business, they are the finishers who put the last necessary touches to a project, and in this respect, they may become hugely successful financially.

On the debit side, they are naive and trusting, falling easy prey to the confidence trickster.

For a career, caring professions such as nursing or counselling. Otherwise, the Pig's genuine concern for others will become apparent through voluntary work and being a good neighbour.

Five Elements

Metal (1971, 2031): Ambitious, calm, materialistic, friendly, will take any measures to achieve their goals. If less aggressive will lead to having more friends.

Water (1983): Kind-hearted, peace-lover, lack of ambition, hard-worker, helps others and has lots of friends.

Wood (1959, 2019):  Quick-tempered, hard-worker, live in a world on their own, use their relationship with friends to gain success.

Fire (1995): Complicated temper, adventurous, hard-worker, challenging to accept criticism and will take any measures to achieve their goal.

Earth (1947, 2007): Home loving, hard-working, materialistic and realistic.