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Chinese Zodiac Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches for Every Sign
Chinese astrology reads compatibility through the twelve zodiac animals, the Earthly Branches. Some animals form natural alliances, some form close pairs, and some sit directly across the wheel from each other. Here is the full chart, with what each pattern traditionally means.
Your animal sign is only one of eight characters in your birth chart. See your Day Master and Five Elements balance for free.
Get your free reading合冲Compatibility chart for all 12 signs
| Sign | Best matches | Most challenging | Also watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 鼠 Rat | Dragon, Monkey, Ox | Horse | Goat |
| 牛 Ox | Snake, Rooster, Rat | Goat | Horse |
| 虎 Tiger | Horse, Dog, Pig | Monkey | Snake |
| 兔 Rabbit | Goat, Pig, Dog | Rooster | Dragon |
| 龙 Dragon | Monkey, Rat, Rooster | Dog | Rabbit |
| 蛇 Snake | Rooster, Ox, Monkey | Pig | Tiger |
| 马 Horse | Dog, Tiger, Goat | Rat | Ox |
| 羊 Goat | Pig, Rabbit, Horse | Ox | Rat |
| 猴 Monkey | Rat, Dragon, Snake | Tiger | Pig |
| 鸡 Rooster | Ox, Snake, Dragon | Rabbit | Dog |
| 狗 Dog | Tiger, Horse, Rabbit | Dragon | Rooster |
| 猪 Pig | Rabbit, Goat, Tiger | Snake | Monkey |
Best matches are the sign's trine partners and its Six Harmony partner. Most challenging is the clash sign; also watch is the harm sign.
三合The four trines: natural allies
The twelve animals fall into four groups of three, spaced four years apart. Each group shares an element and an outlook, and signs in the same trine are said to understand each other without effort.
| Trine | Signs | Shared nature |
|---|---|---|
| Water (鼠龙猴) | Rat · Dragon · Monkey | Quick, ambitious and resourceful. They push ideas forward and like to win together. |
| Metal (牛蛇鸡) | Ox · Snake · Rooster | Steady, careful and determined. They plan, build and keep their promises. |
| Fire (虎马狗) | Tiger · Horse · Dog | Passionate, independent and loyal. They stand up for each other and for what is right. |
| Wood (兔羊猪) | Rabbit · Goat · Pig | Gentle, caring and creative. They value harmony, kindness and a peaceful home. |
六合The six harmonies: secret friends
Six Harmony pairs are the closest one-to-one bond in the zodiac. The two signs balance each other quietly, which is why they are often called secret friends.
- Rat and Ox (鼠牛合)
- Tiger and Pig (虎猪合)
- Rabbit and Dog (兔狗合)
- Dragon and Rooster (龙鸡合)
- Snake and Monkey (蛇猴合)
- Horse and Goat (马羊合)
六冲The six clashes: opposites on the wheel
Clash pairs sit directly opposite each other. Tradition reads a clash as friction, change and movement: these couples rarely feel boring, but they need patience and clear communication.
- Rat and Horse (鼠马冲)
- Ox and Goat (牛羊冲)
- Tiger and Monkey (虎猴冲)
- Rabbit and Rooster (兔鸡冲)
- Dragon and Dog (龙狗冲)
- Snake and Pig (蛇猪冲)
六害The six harms: watch the small things
Harm pairs are quieter than clashes. Problems tend to come from small misunderstandings and things left unsaid, so honesty early on goes a long way.
- Rat and Goat (鼠羊害)
- Ox and Horse (牛马害)
- Tiger and Snake (虎蛇害)
- Rabbit and Dragon (兔龙害)
- Monkey and Pig (猴猪害)
- Rooster and Dog (鸡狗害)
日主Beyond the animal sign
Your animal comes from your birth year, which you share with everyone born that year. In BaZi, compatibility looks at both full charts, and above all at the two Day Masters. Certain Day Masters combine naturally, such as Jia Wood with Ji Earth, or Bing Fire with Xin Metal. Use the animal chart as a starting point, not the final word.
问答Questions about Chinese zodiac compatibility
What is the best match in the Chinese zodiac?
Traditionally, each sign has three best matches: the two other signs in its trine (for example Rabbit, Goat and Pig) and its Six Harmony partner (for example Horse and Goat). Six Harmony pairs are often called secret friends, the closest one-to-one bond in the zodiac.
Which Chinese zodiac signs are not compatible?
The six clash pairs sit directly opposite each other on the zodiac wheel: Rat and Horse, Ox and Goat, Tiger and Monkey, Rabbit and Rooster, Dragon and Dog, Snake and Pig. Tradition reads a clash as friction and movement rather than as a verdict that a relationship cannot work.
Can a clash couple still work?
Yes. A clash between year signs is only one of many factors. Many clash couples find the friction keeps life lively. In BaZi, how the two full charts interact, especially the two Day Masters, says far more than the animal signs alone.
How do I check compatibility using our full birth charts?
Start with each person's Day Master, the Heavenly Stem of the birth day. The free calculator shows yours. Then compare elements: partners whose charts supply each other's balancing element tend to feel easier together.
Find your Day Master and your balancing element, then compare with your partner's. Free, and it takes a minute.
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