Year of the Tiger
The Tiger is sign number 3 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Tiger year are traditionally described as brave, confident, competitive and charismatic. Its fixed element is Wood, and each Tiger year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Tiger
| Lucky numbers | 1, 3, 4 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | Blue, Grey, Orange |
| Lucky directions | East, North, South |
| Less favourable numbers | 6, 7, 8 |
| Less favourable colors | Brown |
| Less favourable directions | Southwest |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Horse, Dog |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Pig |
| Clash (六冲) | Monkey |
| Harm (六害) | Snake |
| Punishment (刑) | Snake, Monkey |
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.
Tiger 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | Wood Tiger | Jan 26, 1914 – Feb 13, 1915 |
| 1926 | Fire Tiger | Feb 13, 1926 – Feb 1, 1927 |
| 1938 | Earth Tiger | Jan 31, 1938 – Feb 18, 1939 |
| 1950 | Metal Tiger | Feb 17, 1950 – Feb 5, 1951 |
| 1962 | Water Tiger | Feb 5, 1962 – Jan 24, 1963 |
| 1974 | Wood Tiger | Jan 23, 1974 – Feb 10, 1975 |
| 1986 | Fire Tiger | Feb 9, 1986 – Jan 28, 1987 |
| 1998 | Earth Tiger | Jan 28, 1998 – Feb 15, 1999 |
| 2010 | Metal Tiger | Feb 14, 2010 – Feb 2, 2011 |
| 2022 | Water Tiger | Feb 1, 2022 – Jan 21, 2023 |
| 2034 | Wood Tiger | Feb 19, 2034 – Feb 7, 2035 |
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 Tiger?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Tiger the lucky numbers 1, 3, 4 and the less favourable numbers 6, 7, 8.
What colors are lucky for the Tiger?
Lucky colors for the Tiger are Blue, Grey, Orange; less favourable colors are Brown.
Which signs are most compatible with the Tiger?
The Tiger forms a harmonious trine with the Horse, Dog and a “secret friend” pair with the Pig. Its classical clash is with the Monkey.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.