Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
Pick two signs to see how they fit together — in love, friendship and work — according to the traditional relationships between the twelve earthly branches.
Not sure of your sign? In BaZi the year starts at Li Chun (around February 4). The calculator shows it.
All 78 pairs at a glance
| Rat | Ox | Tiger | Rabbit | Dragon | Snake | Horse | Goat | Monkey | Rooster | Dog | Pig | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Ox | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Tiger | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Rabbit | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Dragon | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Snake | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Horse | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Goat | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Monkey | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Rooster | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Dog | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Pig | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
5 Six Harmony or trine allies 4 Easy rapport3 Neutral 2 Clash, harm or punishment — a dynamic to work with
The relationships behind the scores
Six Harmony (六合 liù hé). Six pairs of branches combine, like partners who complete each other's sentences: Rat–Ox, Tiger–Pig, Rabbit–Dog, Dragon–Rooster, Snake–Monkey and Horse–Goat.
Trines (三合 sān hé). Four groups of three signs share a common element and pull in the same direction: Monkey–Rat–Dragon (Water), Pig–Rabbit–Goat (Wood), Tiger–Horse–Dog (Fire) and Snake–Rooster–Ox (Metal).
Seasonal allies (三会 sān huì). Signs of the same season understand each other's timing, such as Tiger, Rabbit and Dragon in spring.
Clash (六冲 liù chōng). Opposite signs on the wheel — Rat–Horse, Ox–Goat, Tiger–Monkey, Rabbit–Rooster, Dragon–Dog, Snake–Pig. Clashes bring movement, attraction and friction in equal measure.
Harm, punishment and break (害 hài, 刑 xíng, 破 pò). Subtler frictions — misunderstandings, pressure or small breaks in trust — that respond well to clear communication.
Frequently asked questions
How does Chinese zodiac compatibility work?
Each year animal is an earthly branch. Traditional astrology describes fixed relationships between branches: Six Harmony pairs that combine, trines of three signs that cooperate, clashes between opposite signs, and subtler harms, punishments and breaks. Compatibility readings start from these relationships.
Which Chinese zodiac signs are most compatible?
Traditionally the strongest bonds are the Six Harmony pairs — Rat and Ox, Tiger and Pig, Rabbit and Dog, Dragon and Rooster, Snake and Monkey, Horse and Goat — and the members of each trine, such as Monkey, Rat and Dragon.
Does a clash mean a relationship will not work?
No. A clash describes opposite rhythms and needs, which tends to create movement and friction. Many clashing pairs work well once each person understands the other’s pace. The year animal is also only one of eight characters in a birth chart.
Is year-animal compatibility the whole picture?
It is the most familiar layer, but a full BaZi comparison looks at both Day Masters, the day branches (the spouse palace) and how the two charts’ elements balance each other. That is why two people of the same signs can have very different relationships.
BaZi is a traditional Chinese system offered here for self-reflection and entertainment. Readings describe tendencies, not certainties, and are not medical, legal or financial advice.