Fire Tiger
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1926, 1986
Animal 3 of 12 · Wood · Yang
The Tiger
Courage, intensity and a refusal to be managed.
Position in cycle3 of 12
Fixed elementWood
Yin or yangYang
Hours governed03:00–05:00
SeasonSpring
Lucky numbers1, 3, 4
Lucky coloursblue, grey, orange
Strength. Acts when others hesitate, and inspires people to follow without asking them to.
Friction. Burns hot and short. Authority provokes rather than restrains it.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Tiger holds 03:00–05:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Tiger as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Brave
Impulsive
Charismatic
Rebellious
Competitive
Tiger years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Earth Tiger | 31 January |
| 1950 | Metal Tiger | 17 February |
| 1962 | Water Tiger | 5 February |
| 1974 | Wood Tiger | 23 January |
| 1986 | Fire Tiger | 9 February |
| 1998 | Earth Tiger | 28 January |
| 2010 | Metal Tiger | 14 February |
| 2022 | Water Tiger | 1 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 Tigers
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Tiger and a Fire Tiger are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Earth Tiger
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1938, 1998
Metal Tiger
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1950, 2010
Water Tiger
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1962, 2022
Wood Tiger
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1974, 2034
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 Tiger 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 Tiger year is 2034.
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.
Tiger compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Horse | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Dog | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Pig | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Rat | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Dragon | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Tiger | Same sign | 72% |
| Ox | Neutral | 68% |
| Rabbit | Neutral | 68% |
| Goat | Neutral | 68% |
| Rooster | Neutral | 68% |
| Snake | Square — friction | 60% |
| Monkey | Traditional clash | 45% |