Happy Year of the Water Rabbit! If you’re a Sheep or Pig sign, congrats—this year is going to be a breeze for you, and that’s all thanks to your compatibility with the Rabbit sign. That's right, Chinese zodiac compatibility has year-long implications for your sign, but don't freak out just yet. Understanding how your sign interacts with others will help you navigate any and all situations that come your way.
While you might already know some Chinese astrology basics, like how to find your sign or what the Chinese zodiac wheel looks like, learning about how compatibility works in the Chinese zodiac can not only teach you about yourself, but can also teach you a few things about your relationships with others.
First, some background: There are 12 signs in Chinese astrology. Each one is named after an animal, and just like in Western astrology, each sign also has its own characteristics. Certain signs get along well together—others, not so much. But why care about Chinese zodiac sign compatibility at all?
It's almost like a "double check," explains Laura Lau, who co-wrote The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes with her late mother, renowned Chinese astrologer Theodora Lau. Compatibility can help you predict how successful your relationships and friendships will be, although Lau notes that it's not an exact science.
Historically, Chinese zodiac compatibility was used by matchmakers to pair up brides and grooms. "[Matchmakers] would look at all of their birth date information to really look to see whether or not they could potentially be a good match," says Lau.
But "when people got matched, they didn't just get the dates of the people who were getting married. They got them for the family, too," she adds. "There's a lot of different people you could look up and think about [to understand] the total landscape of the relationship." (Ahem, in-laws.)
Ready to dive in? Well, firstly, you’ll need to know your Chinese zodiac sign. To find yours, look for the Chinese year you were born. (Psst, if you were born in January or February, you may need a Chinese zodiac sign calculator to double check your sign. Because the Chinese new year is based on a lunar calendar, the specific date changes every year, but tends to happen in late January or early February.)
Got it? Great. Without further ado, here's everything you need to know about which Chinese zodiac signs are compatible, and which aren't:
Which Chinese zodiac signs are most compatible?
In Chinese astrology, signs that get along well with each other are grouped into “triangles of affinity,” says Lau. The sets represent “trios of animals that just naturally bring out the best of each other.” The four triangles are:
- Rat, Dragon, and Monkey: These wise signs are social butterflies and hard workers, found a zodiac calendar study in the journal China Accounting And Finance Review. But they can also be manipulative and selfish.
- Ox, Snake, and Rooster: This trio is responsible and careful (measure twice, cut once!). But sometimes they can be self-centered and bossy.
- Tiger, Horse, and Dog: These signs are clever, honest, and connect well with others—but they can be quick to anger and restless, too.
- Rabbit, Sheep, and Pig: The last group tends to be empathetic, creative, and determined. But they can also be moody and indecisive.
These groups of signs not only mesh well romantically, Lau adds, but they’re also dream teams at work who can crush any big project with ease.
Another way to check compatibility is by looking at birth years. Animals that are four years apart will probably get along, while animals that are six years apart might not, Lau explains. But if you and your S.O.'s years don't match up, don't stress: "Just because somebody is two years apart in each doesn't mean that you wouldn't necessarily be compatible," she says.
Your best bet for finding out which signs are compatible is by using an online compatibility calculator. Plug in your and your partner's birth dates to get the full rundown, or check out a detailed chart that can show you exactly which signs best pair with yours.
And, just like in Western astrology, everyone also has a full Chinese astrological chart (not just one sign). You get a sign for the year you were born, the month you were born, and even the hour you were born, says Lau.
If you already know what sign corresponds to your birth year, you can find your other two signs here. “You need to look at all of those animals and see which one you feel the most connection with,” she explains. Based on your full chart, you could be compatible or incompatible with someone on more than one level.
It’s a good idea to look at which relationships in your life make you happiest, too. Think about your friends and flames, both current and past. Just by looking for patterns, Lau says, you can tell which signs you are attracted to and which ones you avoid. Other signs might draw you in initially, but won’t keep your attention for the long term.
Which Chinese zodiac signs are least compatible?
Visually, the Chinese zodiac wheel can tell you a lot about compatibility—animals that are across from each other have opposite traits and likely won’t get along. For example, right across from the Ox is the Sheep. Turn the wheel to the next year, which is the Rat, and right across from it is the Horse.
According to the Chinese zodiac wheel, the signs which are least compatible with each other are:
- Rabbit and Rooster
- Tiger and Monkey
- Ox and Sheep
- Rat and Horse
- Pig and Snake
- Dog and Dragon
Nevertheless, while these signs are on opposite sides of the wheel, that doesn’t mean they have opposing characteristics. After all, opposites attract for a reason. In fact, conflict between these opposing signs often stems from their similarities, Lau previously told Women’s Health. Much like opposing signs in Western astrology, they’ll either feel like your soulmate or worst enemy.
Curious how Western astrology compares? Here are six compatible zodiac sign pairs:
How do the natural elements play into compatibility?
Western astrology signs are sorted by four natural elements—earth, air, wind, and fire. In Chinese astrology, there are five elements:
- Water
- Wood
- Fire
- Earth
- Metal
The elements cycle along with the animals and can also play a big role in compatibility, Lau says. Each year, the reigning animal sign is also paired with an element, which can change up its energy. For example, while the Rabbit’s fixed element is wood, 2023 is in the element of water, meaning the water element will have the most impact on the personalities of those born this year.
Since there are 12 signs and five elements, the animal and element combinations only repeat once every 60 years (1963 was the last time it was the year of the Water Rabbit!). You can find a full explanation of what the elements represent (and which element goes with your birth year sign) here, but each one is associated with a basic personality profile:
- Water: Perfectionists who are sympathetic to others' wants and needs.
- Wood: Planners who strive to achieve their lofty goals.
- Fire: Good researchers who are bold, brave, and passionate.
- Earth: Open-minded leaders who are kind and honest.
- Metal: Workaholics who chase the things they want relentlessly.
While compatibility can seem complicated, it's not the end all, be all. Instead, Lau thinks of it as a starting point to get to know yourself and your connections with others better. "There's no such thing as a guarantee in any relationship," she explains—but you might be surprised what you find, once you start looking.
