Wood 木
Growth, flexibility, and vitality
You grow and adapt: you learn from everything you experience.
Creativity, Generosity, Flexibility, Patience
→ creates Fire · controls Earth
Year: …4, 5
The five Elements of the Chinese zodiac
Besides the animal, every year has an Element: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. It changes every two years, so your full sign is, say, a Metal Rat or a Fire Goat.
Fire 火
Passion, energy, and action
You act with passion and spread your energy to others.
Courage, Determination, Enthusiasm, Optimism
→ creates Earth · controls Metal
Year: …6, 7
Earth 土
Stability, nourishment, and practicality
You build with patience: you are the stable foundation of your environment.
Stability, Nurturing, Practicality, Reliability
→ creates Metal · controls Water
Year: …8, 9
Metal 金
Strength, determination, structure
You move with precision: consistency, order, and a firm word.
Determination, Strength, Discipline, Ambition
→ creates Water · controls Wood
Year: …0, 1
Water 水
Wisdom, flexibility, flow
You flow with intuition: you find the least expected path.
Wisdom, Intuition, Adaptability, Intelligence
→ creates Wood · controls Fire
Year: …2, 3
The cycle: who creates and who controls
The Element changes every two years: 0 and 1 Metal, 2 and 3 Water, 4 and 5 Wood, 6 and 7 Fire, 8 and 9 Earth. Even years are Yang and odd years Yin.
Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood
2026 and 2027, two Fire years
2026 (丙午) and 2027 (丁未) are Fire years: the first Yang, the second Yin. Against your birth Element, Fire relates like this:
| Wood 木 | You feed the year Wood feeds Fire: the year draws on your energy. Good for creating and giving; watch out for fatigue. |
| Fire 火 | Same Element Fire meets Fire: the year strengthens your Element. More drive, and more impatience too. |
| Earth 土 | The year nourishes you Fire creates Earth: the year’s Element feeds yours. |
| Metal 金 | The year tests you Fire melts Metal: the year’s Element presses on yours and asks for persistence. |
| Water 水 | You master the year Water puts out Fire: you hold the upper hand, though it takes effort. |
Frequently asked questions
Your Element from the last digit of your year
The Element changes every two years: 0 and 1 Metal, 2 and 3 Water, 4 and 5 Wood, 6 and 7 Fire, 8 and 9 Earth. Even years are Yang and odd years Yin.
2026 and 2027, two Fire years
2026 (丙午) and 2027 (丁未) are Fire years: the first Yang, the second Yin. Against your birth Element, Fire relates like this: Wood: You feed the year. Fire: Same Element. Earth: The year nourishes you. Metal: The year tests you. Water: You master the year.