Year of the Tiger
The Tiger in the Chinese zodiac — personality, compatibility, career, and lucky traits.
Tiger
| Animal | 寅 Tiger |
|---|---|
| Order | 3 of 12 |
| Earthly branch | Yin |
| Fixed element | Wood |
| Best matches | Horse, Dog |
| Clash (avoid) | Monkey |
| Lucky | Lucky numbers 1, 3, and 4; lucky colours blue, grey, and orange; lucky flowers cineraria and yellow lily. |
What is the Year of the Tiger?
The Tiger (寅, branch Yin) is sign 3 of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, with the fixed element Wood. The Tiger is the third sign of the Chinese zodiac — brave, passionate, and magnetic. Tiger people are natural leaders and rebels, charging at life with courage, confidence, and a fierce sense of justice. Charismatic and adventurous, they inspire others and refuse to be tamed, though their intensity can burn hot and fast. Ruled by the fixed element Wood, the Tiger blends dynamic vitality with warm-hearted idealism, making it one of the boldest and most inspiring signs of the cycle.
Tiger strengths
Courageous, confident, and charismatic, Tigers are born leaders who inspire through sheer force of personality. Passionate, generous, and idealistic, they fight for what is right and protect those they love. Energetic and adventurous, they take bold risks others fear, and their enthusiasm and honesty draw people naturally to their side.
Tiger weaknesses
Tigers can be impulsive, rebellious, and hot-tempered, leaping before they look. Their need for freedom makes them restless and sometimes arrogant or reckless, and they resist authority and criticism. Impatient and prone to mood swings, they may burn out from their own intensity or clash with anyone who tries to control them.
Tiger love and compatibility
In love the Tiger is passionate, generous, and fiercely loyal, needing a partner who respects their independence and matches their fire. They pair best with the Horse and Dog of their trine, who share their vitality and loyalty. Their clash is the Monkey, whose cleverness and gamesmanship grate against the Tiger's direct, proud nature.
Tiger career and work
Tigers thrive where they can lead, inspire, and act boldly: management, entrepreneurship, politics, the military, activism, and the arts. Competitive and driven, they excel in high-stakes roles and struggle under rigid supervision. Their charisma and courage make them natural pioneers who do their best work blazing their own trail.
What years are the Year of the Tiger?
Recent and upcoming Years of the Tiger:
- 1950
- 1962
- 1974
- 1986
- 1998
- 2010
- 2022
- 2034
Note: the Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year (late January to mid-February), not January 1. If you were born in that window, your sign may be the previous year’s animal — your BaZi chart settles it precisely.
Your animal is only one pillar
Your birth year gives your zodiac animal — but your full BaZi (Four Pillars) chart maps the year, month, day, and hour, revealing your elements, Day Master, and destiny.
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