Chinese Zodiac Enemies and Friends: A Cultural Insight for International Students

Understanding Chinese Zodiac: A Key to Building Connections in China

In China, the zodiac is an ancient tradition that almost everyone knows about. The 12 signs, tied to birth years, are used to explain personality traits and compatibility. Not everyone takes it seriously, but the Chinese Zodiac is present in all aspects of everyday life in China, from jokes among friends to major life decisions like marriage or business partnerships.

For international students, understanding the zodiac can be a great icebreaker and a way to bond with locals. Even locals who aren’t superstitious can enjoy discussing which signs “get along” and which ones are destined to be frenemies.

Zodiac Signs and Their Corresponding Years

A popular legend tells the story of the origins of the Chinese zodiac, where the Jade Emperor invited all animals to cross a river. The first twelve to reach the other side were awarded a place in the zodiac calendar, and the order in which they finished determined the order of the cycle.

Here are the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, in order:

• Rat: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
• Ox: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
• Tiger: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
• Rabbit: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
• Dragon: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
• Snake: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
• Horse: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
• Goat: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
• Monkey: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
• Rooster: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
• Dog: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
• Pig: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Keep in mind that the Chinese New Year usually falls between late January and mid-February, so if you were born in January or early February, you might belong to the previous year’s sign.

Cultural Significance of the Chinese Zodiac

Historical Context

• Dates back over 2000 years, in the Hand Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD).
• The 12 zodiac has a deep influence in Chinese culture, from literature to art.
• Initially used for divination and later became integrated into everyday life.

Social Influence and Cultural Presence

• Matchmaking: In the past, zodiac compatibility was heavily considered in arranging marriages. Today, many of the younger generations see it as a lighthearted guidance for relationships.
• Family Planning: Some couples choose when to have children based on the zodiac.
• Business Relationships: Zodiac signs are sometimes considered when choosing business partners or collaborators.
• Festivals: Chinese New Year celebrations are heavily themed by the animal of the year.
• Religion: Some religious temples and cultural sites provide zodiac-based blessings and talismans.

Zodiac Compatibility

Just like Western astrology, Chinese zodiacs are compatible with certain signs and not so much with others. The non-compatible signs are known as enemy signs, and they are said to cause conflict when paired together.

Rat

The rat is logical and pragmatic, meaning that they seek intelligent company. They don’t get along with signs who are too rash and impulsive.

Best Match: Dragon

Rats and dragons are both very passionate, but the dragons are less pragmatic and can add a spice of energy to the rats who can get caught up in a mundane routine.

Worst Match: Horse

Rats are meticulous with how they spend their time, energy, and money, while horses are known to be impulsive. The rat’s caution will clash the horse’s impulsiveness.

Ox

The ox is reliable and strong, and is drawn to honest people. They don’t get along with signs who are more cunning and indirect.

Best Match: Rooster

The ox and the roosters share a practical approach to life, and they both give extra attention to detail in their relationships.

Worst Match: Dog

Dogs like to be free and do whatever they want. The ox on the other hand likes structured plans. These two signs will argue because of the ox’s strong and rigid personality.

Tiger

Tigers are very sensitive and loving, but can be quite “territorial”. They require loyalty from their loved ones and don’t really get along with “social” signs because they will get jealous.

Best Match: Pig

Tigers can be aggressive and often have emotional outbursts. Pigs can be a calming presence and put the tigers’ emotions in check.

Worst Match: Snake

Their approaches to life and problem-solving differ greatly. Not to mention snakes often find tigers to be too sensitive.

Rabbit

Rabbits are easy-going. They like to spend time with the fun and amiable signs. Rabbits go with the flow and have a calm approach to life, often avoiding signs who are more dramatic.

Best Match: Goat

Goats do what they’re told and never make a big scene. This makes them get along really well with the relaxed rabbit.

Worst Match: Rooster

Roosters demand a lot of attention from their loved ones, which is a lot to ask from the easy-going and chill rabbit.

Dragon

Dragons are visionaries, and will make things happen. They are leaders and gravitate toward other passionate signs.

Best Match: Monkey

Monkeys are optimistic, brimming with positivity and confidence. Monkeys and Dragons are both adventurous and share a passion for life.

Worst Match: Dog

Although dragons and dogs both enjoy freedom and march to the beat of their own drums, dogs can be quite controlling of others, which will limit the dragons’ ability to be themselves.

Snake

Snakes are excitable and dislikes negativity. They can also be quite mysterious, making them incompatible with signs who are equally as manipulative and dishonest.

Best Match: Ox

The oxen are reliable and trustworthy. Oxen will never fail to be there for the snakes in times of need. Snakes can also be sensitive, and oxen are strong enough to handle the snakes’ emotions.

Worst Match: Pig

Pigs are known procrastinators. Snakes and pigs will frustrate each other, as the former is full of enthusiasm and movement, while the latter is sluggish.

Horse

The horse is one of the most stubborn signs. But interestingly, they gravitate toward signs who can pull them out of their comfort zone. They enjoy signs who can support their ideology while provoking their thoughts at the same time.

Best Match: Tiger

Tigers and horses are each other’s loudest cheerleaders. They are both energetic and enjoy freedom, and will inspire the other to evolve and grow.

Worst Match: Rat

The horse likes to walk its own path, while the rat likes to follow regiments. The horses’ impulsiveness and stubbornness will deeply frustrate the rats.

Goat

Goats are romantic and sensitive. They are tender in nature and are drawn toward signs that are as soulful and kind. They enjoy peace and serenity, and dislike overly controlling signs.

Best Match: Rabbit

Goats and rabbits both enjoy peace. Any form of relationships between the two are often pure and intimate. The two signs can care for each other in a deeply spiritual way.

Worst Match: Tiger

Tigers can be intense and controlling. Goats are soft-spoken and will avoid conflict, meaning that the two signs will rarely argue, but the sheep will definitely try to run away from the tiger.

Monkey

Monkeys are bright and creative. They are also very active and don’t dwell on their emotions. This makes them incompatible with the more sensitive signs.

Best Match: Rabbit

Monkeys and rabbits both enjoy impulsive excitement. They live in the present and seek adventure.

Worst Match: Pig

Pigs are indulgent and for a lack of a better word: “lazy”. Monkeys are always active and thinking, and the pigs will never understand the monkeys’ need to always ponder life.

Rooster

Roosters are proud, though they can be inflexible. They like to take charge and will clash with domineering signs.

Best Match: Ox

As previously mentioned, roosters and oxen get along due to their shared pragmatic values. Although the two signs both have strong and domineering personalities, roosters and oxen surprisingly pair really well and can help each other advance in all areas of life.

Worst Match: Rat

Roosters don’t trust rats and view their logical approach to life as scheming. On the other hand, the rats think the roosters are too proud and pompous.

Dog

Dogs are extremely loyal, but they struggle with expressing their emotions. Therefore, they are compatible with signs who are socially adept and can read the dogs’ emotions.

Best Match: Rabbit

Rabbits enjoy the controlling nature of dogs as they like to just be without responsibilities.

Worst Match: Dragon

As mentioned earlier, dragons value their freedom deeply, and dogs will only limit the dragons’ ability to express themselves to the fullest.

Pig

Pigs are dreamers, but they sometimes struggle with taking actions to fulfill their fantasies. They don’t get along with bold and passionate signs, and prefer those with a calming presence.

Best Match: Goat

Both goats and pigs hate conflict. They both like to be on amicable terms with other people, making them the perfect docile match.

Worst Match: Monkey

As mentioned earlier, pigs won’t understand the monkeys’ need to stay active and ponder life, making them a really bad match.

The Five Elements

Other than individual personalities, each zodiac sign is also associated with one of five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements add another layer to zodiac compatibility.

Here are the elements of the 12 zodiac signs:

• Wood: Tiger, Rabbit
• Fire: Snake, Horse
• Earth: Ox, Dragon, Goat, Dog
• Metal: Monkey, Rooster
• Water: Rat, Pig

The elements complement each other with their nature in a five-way cycle:

• Wood feeds Fire
• Fire creates Earth (ash)
• Earth bears Metal
• Metal collects Water
• Water nourishes Wood

But they also weaken each other in a game of five-way rock, paper, scissors:

• Wood parts Earth
• Earth dams Water
• Water extinguishes Fire
• Fire melts Metal
• Metal chops Wood

Compatibility Insights

• Signs whose elements nurture one another often form harmonious bonds.
• Signs where one weakens the other may face friction but can also complement each other.
• Signs sharing the same element usually connect easily, though their relationship might lack spark balance.

Bringing it All Together

The Chinese zodiac is a window into how people in China treat relationships. Even if you’re not superstitious, being familiar with these ideas can help spark conversations and help you connect with locals on a cultural level.

Key points to keep in mind:

• Compatibility can look different depending on the context, two signs that get along well as friends might experience challenges as romantic partners.
• Personal effort and communication matter far more than zodiac pairings alone. Even those who are considered “enemies” can get along if they understand each other’s differences. 

By understanding zodiac signs, you can deepen your understanding of Chinese traditions and build meaningful connections with the locals.

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