Year of the Rabbit
The Rabbit is sign number 4 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Rabbit year are traditionally described as gentle, elegant, diplomatic and kind. Its fixed element is Wood, and each Rabbit year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Rabbit
| Lucky numbers | 3, 4, 6 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | Red, Pink, Purple, Blue |
| Lucky directions | East, South, Northwest |
| Less favourable numbers | 1, 7, 8 |
| Less favourable colors | Brown, Yellow, White |
| Less favourable directions | North, West, Southwest |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Goat, Pig |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Dog |
| Clash (六冲) | Rooster |
| Harm (六害) | Dragon |
| Punishment (刑) | Rat |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Rabbit years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1915 | Wood Rabbit | Feb 14, 1915 – Feb 2, 1916 |
| 1927 | Fire Rabbit | Feb 2, 1927 – Jan 22, 1928 |
| 1939 | Earth Rabbit | Feb 19, 1939 – Feb 7, 1940 |
| 1951 | Metal Rabbit | Feb 6, 1951 – Jan 26, 1952 |
| 1963 | Water Rabbit | Jan 25, 1963 – Feb 12, 1964 |
| 1975 | Wood Rabbit | Feb 11, 1975 – Jan 30, 1976 |
| 1987 | Fire Rabbit | Jan 29, 1987 – Feb 16, 1988 |
| 1999 | Earth Rabbit | Feb 16, 1999 – Feb 4, 2000 |
| 2011 | Metal Rabbit | Feb 3, 2011 – Jan 22, 2012 |
| 2023 | Water Rabbit | Jan 22, 2023 – Feb 9, 2024 |
| 2035 | Wood Rabbit | Feb 8, 2035 – Jan 27, 2036 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Rabbit?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Rabbit the lucky numbers 3, 4, 6 and the less favourable numbers 1, 7, 8.
What colors are lucky for the Rabbit?
Lucky colors for the Rabbit are Red, Pink, Purple, Blue; less favourable colors are Brown, Yellow, White.
Which signs are most compatible with the Rabbit?
The Rabbit forms a harmonious trine with the Goat, Pig and a “secret friend” pair with the Dog. Its classical clash is with the Rooster.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.