Wood Pig
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1935, 1995
Animal 12 of 12 · Water · Yin
The Pig
Generosity, appetite and unguarded good faith.
Position in cycle12 of 12
Fixed elementWater
Yin or yangYin
Hours governed21:00–23:00
SeasonWinter
Lucky numbers2, 5, 8
Lucky coloursyellow, grey, brown
Strength. Genuinely kind and hard to provoke. Gives without keeping a ledger.
Friction. Trusts too readily and indulges too easily.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Pig holds 21:00–23:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Pig as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Sincere
Generous
Gullible
Easygoing
Indulgent
Pig years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Fire Pig | 22 January |
| 1959 | Earth Pig | 8 February |
| 1971 | Metal Pig | 27 January |
| 1983 | Water Pig | 13 February |
| 1995 | Wood Pig | 31 January |
| 2007 | Fire Pig | 18 February |
| 2019 | Earth Pig | 5 February |
| 2031 | Metal Pig | 23 January |
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 Pigs
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Pig and a Fire Pig are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Fire Pig
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1947, 2007
Earth Pig
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1959, 2019
Metal Pig
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1971, 2031
Water Pig
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1983, 2043
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 Pig 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 Pig year is 2031.
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.
Pig compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Goat | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Tiger | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Ox | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Rooster | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Pig | Same sign | 72% |
| Rat | Neutral | 68% |
| Dragon | Neutral | 68% |
| Horse | Neutral | 68% |
| Dog | Neutral | 68% |
| Monkey | Square — friction | 60% |
| Snake | Traditional clash | 45% |