Chinese zodiac compatibility
The Chinese zodiac wheel shows at a glance how two animals get on: friend groups and secret friends are the easiest matches, clashes the most challenging. Here is a quick guide to every animal's best and hardest matches.
The full deep dive
The four kinds of match
- Friend group (same colour on the wheel): natural understanding and shared values. One of the best matches.
- Secret friend (matching jewel on the inner ring): a quiet, loyal bond that often surprises people. Also one of the best.
- Clash (directly opposite): opposite energies. The most challenging, but full of growth.
- Everyone else: a neutral match that depends on the people and on the rest of the reading.
The full explanation is in Friend groups, secret friends and clashes.
Every animal at a glance
| Animal | Friend group | Secret friend | Clash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | Dragon, Monkey | Ox | Horse |
| Ox | Snake, Rooster | Rat | Goat |
| Tiger | Horse, Dog | Pig | Monkey |
| Rabbit | Goat, Pig | Dog | Rooster |
| Dragon | Rat, Monkey | Rooster | Dog |
| Snake | Ox, Rooster | Monkey | Pig |
| Horse | Tiger, Dog | Goat | Rat |
| Goat | Rabbit, Pig | Horse | Ox |
| Monkey | Rat, Dragon | Snake | Tiger |
| Rooster | Ox, Snake | Dragon | Rabbit |
| Dog | Tiger, Horse | Rabbit | Dragon |
| Pig | Rabbit, Goat | Tiger | Snake |
Same animal
Two people of the same animal understand each other instantly, sometimes too well: they share the same strengths and the same blind spots. Many astrologers see it as a good match that needs a little outside perspective.
Elements add another layer
The year elements matter too. A Wood person and a Fire person sit on the feeding cycle (Wood feeds Fire), which is supportive; a Water person and a Fire person sit on the controlling cycle, which can mean friction. See The five elements (Wu Xing).
Sources and perspectives
- Theodora Lau, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes
- Derek Walters, The Complete Guide to Chinese Astrology