Free astrology tool
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator
Select your Chinese zodiac animals or enter birth years to see your compatibility rating, trine group, and clash animal — plus a detailed reading for your specific pair.
Select your animals
Choose each person's Chinese zodiac animal to see your compatibility.
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Recent years by animal
Note: Chinese New Year falls in late January or February. If born in those months, verify your exact animal.
The 4 trine groups
Chinese astrology groups the 12 zodiac animals into four triads of natural allies. Signs within the same trine share a fundamental energy orientation and tend to understand each other without effort.
Group 1 — The Doers
Rat, Dragon, Monkey
Ambitious, clever, driven
These three signs share a dynamic, achievement-oriented energy. The Rat brings strategy; the Dragon brings vision and presence; the Monkey brings adaptability and ingenuity. Together they form one of the most productive and resourceful trine groups.
Group 2 — The Builders
Ox, Snake, Rooster
Patient, methodical, refined
This group is united by patience, depth, and a preference for doing things properly. The Ox brings persistence; the Snake brings wisdom and intuition; the Rooster brings precision and high standards. They build things that last.
Group 3 — The Adventurers
Tiger, Horse, Dog
Freedom-loving, active, principled
These three signs share a love of freedom, action, and integrity. The Tiger brings boldness; the Horse brings enthusiasm and movement; the Dog brings loyalty and moral conviction. They thrive when given space to act on their convictions.
Group 4 — The Sensitives
Rabbit, Goat, Pig
Gentle, creative, empathetic
United by emotional depth, creativity, and a preference for harmony, this group excels at creating beauty and nurturing connections. The Rabbit brings grace; the Goat brings artistic sensitivity; the Pig brings warmth and generosity.
The 6 clash pairs
In Chinese astrology, six pairs of animals sit in direct opposition — six years apart in the cycle. These are called clash pairs, and they represent fundamental tensions in energy and worldview. This does not make a relationship impossible, but it does mean both partners need to consciously appreciate rather than resent their differences.
Rat ↔ Horse
Strategy vs. instinct
Ox ↔ Goat
Structure vs. flow
Tiger ↔ Monkey
Principle vs. pragmatism
Rabbit ↔ Rooster
Subtlety vs. directness
Dragon ↔ Dog
Ambition vs. integrity
Snake ↔ Pig
Guardedness vs. openness
Frequently asked questions
What Chinese zodiac signs are most compatible?
The most compatible Chinese zodiac signs are those in the same trine group. There are four trine groups: Rat, Dragon, and Monkey (Group 1); Ox, Snake, and Rooster (Group 2); Tiger, Horse, and Dog (Group 3); and Rabbit, Goat, and Pig (Group 4). Signs within the same trine share a fundamental energy orientation and tend to support each other's goals naturally. Additionally, certain adjacent pairs — such as Rat-Ox, Rabbit-Dog, and Horse-Goat — are considered compatible through complementary energies.
What does 'trine' mean in Chinese astrology?
In Chinese astrology, 'trine' refers to one of four groups of three animal signs that share a compatible energy. The four trines are based on the qualities of the 12 animals: assertive/creative (Rat, Dragon, Monkey), methodical/persistent (Ox, Snake, Rooster), freedom-loving/active (Tiger, Horse, Dog), and sensitive/artistic (Rabbit, Goat, Pig). Signs within a trine are said to be natural allies who understand each other without effort, share similar goals, and complement each other's strengths.
Can clashing signs have a good relationship?
Yes. The six clash pairs — Rat-Horse, Ox-Goat, Tiger-Monkey, Rabbit-Rooster, Dragon-Dog, and Snake-Pig — represent fundamental tensions in energy and worldview, but these tensions can produce growth and fascination as well as friction. Many successful relationships exist between clashing signs. The key factors are mutual respect, genuine willingness to understand the other's way of operating, and awareness of where the friction is most likely to emerge. Chinese astrology is one layer of compatibility; individual birth charts, life experience, and personal growth matter as much.
How is Chinese zodiac compatibility different from Western astrology?
Western astrology compatibility (synastry) focuses on the interaction between all planets in two birth charts — sun signs, moon signs, rising signs, Venus, Mars, and their angles to each other. Chinese zodiac compatibility is primarily based on the year of birth and uses a different symbolic framework: twelve animals, five elements, and yin/yang polarity. Chinese astrology also includes the BaZi system (Four Pillars of Destiny), which adds the birth month, day, and hour for a much more detailed analysis. The two systems can be used together for a richer picture.
Is my Chinese zodiac sign determined by year or birth time?
Your primary Chinese zodiac animal is determined by your birth year — specifically, the Chinese lunar year, which begins on Chinese New Year (late January or February). If you were born in January or early February, you need to check whether you were born before or after Chinese New Year that year to determine your correct animal. In the BaZi system, your birth month, day, and hour each add an additional animal and element, creating a fuller four-pillar chart. This calculator uses the year-based animal, which is the most widely recognized and the foundation of Chinese zodiac compatibility.
Full BaZi compatibility
Go beyond the year animal. Astrelle calculates your complete BaZi four pillars — year, month, day, and hour — for a detailed compatibility analysis.
Get started freeChinese Zodiac 2026
2026 is the Year of the Horse. See what this means for your animal sign in our detailed year guide.
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