Wood Dog
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1934, 1994
Animal 11 of 12 · Earth · Yang
The Dog
Loyalty, fairness and a strong sense of what is owed.
Position in cycle11 of 12
Fixed elementEarth
Yin or yangYang
Hours governed19:00–21:00
SeasonAutumn
Lucky numbers3, 4, 9
Lucky coloursred, green, purple
Strength. Reliable to a fault and genuinely fair. The one who notices an injustice first.
Friction. Worries constantly, and judges harshly once trust is broken.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Dog holds 19:00–21:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Dog as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Loyal
Honest
Anxious
Principled
Stubborn
Dog years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Fire Dog | 2 February |
| 1958 | Earth Dog | 18 February |
| 1970 | Metal Dog | 6 February |
| 1982 | Water Dog | 25 January |
| 1994 | Wood Dog | 10 February |
| 2006 | Fire Dog | 29 January |
| 2018 | Earth Dog | 16 February |
| 2030 | Metal Dog | 3 February |
Born in January or early February of one of these years? Check the new year date — you may belong to the previous animal.
Rarely covered in English
The five Dogs
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Dog and a Fire Dog are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Fire Dog
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1946, 2006
Earth Dog
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1958, 2018
Metal Dog
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1970, 2030
Water Dog
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1982, 2042
Each element holds for two consecutive years, so your element depends on which of the two you were born in. Twelve animals against five elements gives sixty combinations — a Wood Dog recurs only once every sixty years.
The year of your own animal is not lucky
In Chinese tradition the year of your own animal is considered unlucky rather than fortunate — you are said to offend Tai Sui, the god of the year. The customary protection is to wear red, and specifically red given to you by someone else rather than bought for yourself. Red underwear, belts and socks are all standard.
The next Dog year is 2030.
Western sites almost universally present your own animal's year as fortunate, which inverts the tradition entirely. In China the twelfth year is the one people take precautions for.
Dog compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Horse | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Rabbit | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Rat | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Monkey | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Dog | Same sign | 72% |
| Snake | Neutral | 68% |
| Rooster | Neutral | 68% |
| Pig | Neutral | 68% |
| Ox | Square — friction | 60% |
| Goat | Square — friction | 60% |
| Dragon | Traditional clash | 45% |