Chinese Zodiac Basics: Animals, Elements, and Compatibility

Each lunar year maps to an animal: Rat through Pig. Popular culture focuses on birth year animal, while full BaZi uses month, day, and hour pillars.

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water color each year. Two Dragons born in different years may differ elementally.

Traditional charts highlight best, good, and challenging pairings. Use them as cultural symbolism plus reflection, not rigid fate.