Year of the Tiger
虎 · 寅 (yín)
Tiger Personality
The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. People born in the Year of the Tiger tend to be natural leaders with a competitive streak. They are drawn to challenges and often act on instinct rather than lengthy deliberation. Their confidence and generosity earn loyalty from those around them, though their impulsive side can lead to hasty decisions.
Traits & Characteristics
Key Traits
- Brave
- Competitive
- Confident
- Unpredictable
- Charismatic
Strengths
- Courageous
- Passionate
- Natural leader
- Generous
Weaknesses
- Impulsive
- Restless
- Can be overconfident
Lucky Attributes
Lucky Numbers
1, 3, 4
Lucky Colors
Blue, Gray, Orange
Lucky Directions
East, North, South
Compatibility
The Tiger in 2026 & 2027
Wood generates Fire — a productive year. Your base element feeds the year's element, suggesting efforts this year lay groundwork for future returns. Good for long-term projects.
Wood generates Fire — a productive year. Your base element feeds the year's element, suggesting efforts this year lay groundwork for future returns. Good for long-term projects.
Years of the Tiger
The Tiger recurs every 12 years. Note that the Chinese zodiac follows the lunar calendar — if you were born in January or February, check whether your birth date fell before or after Chinese New Year that year.
| Year | Element | Yin/Yang | Full Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Earth | Yang | Yang Earth Tiger |
| 1950 | Metal | Yang | Yang Metal Tiger |
| 1962 | Water | Yang | Yang Water Tiger |
| 1974 | Wood | Yang | Yang Wood Tiger |
| 1986 | Fire | Yang | Yang Fire Tiger |
| 1998 | Earth | Yang | Yang Earth Tiger |
| 2010 | Metal | Yang | Yang Metal Tiger |
| 2022 | Water | Yang | Yang Water Tiger |
| 2034 | Wood | Yang | Yang Wood Tiger |
The Wood Element
The Tiger's fixed element is Wood, derived from its Earthly Branch (寅). This element colors the Tiger's core characteristics regardless of birth year.
In the five-element cycle: Wood generates Fire, controls Earth, and is strengthened by Water. The birth year's element (from the Heavenly Stems) adds a second layer — which is why a Wood Tiger and a Metal Tiger can have quite different tendencies despite sharing the same animal sign.
Other Zodiac Animals
Related Topics
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This is a general reading based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. Your personalized reading based on your birth chart may differ.