The Chinese zodiac uses 12 animals and five elements. The elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—add depth to each sign. Your birth year gives you an animal and an element. Together they affect your lucky colors, numbers, and personality. This guide explains how the elements work and how to use them.
The Five Elements in Chinese Astrology
The five elements cycle through the years. Each element appears twice in a 10-year cycle. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water interact. Some support each other. Others clash. Your element shapes your energy and luck.
Find your sign with our zodiac finder. For love and elements, read our how elements affect love. Browse our categories for more.
Wood Element
Wood stands for growth, creativity, and spring. Wood people are often kind, flexible, and idealistic. Lucky colors: green, blue. Lucky directions: East, Southeast. Lucky numbers: 3, 4. Wood supports Fire. Wood is weakened by Metal. For more on how elements interact in relationships, see our elements and love guide.
Fire Element
Fire stands for passion, energy, and summer. Fire people are often bold, lively, and strong. Lucky colors: red, orange, pink. Lucky directions: South. Lucky numbers: 2, 7. Fire supports Earth. Fire is weakened by Water.
Earth Element
Earth stands for stability, patience, and harvest. Earth people are often calm, reliable, and caring. Lucky colors: yellow, brown, beige. Lucky directions: Center, Southwest, Northeast. Lucky numbers: 5, 0. Earth supports Metal. Earth is weakened by Wood.
Metal Element
Metal stands for strength, clarity, and autumn. Metal people are often determined, focused, and honest. Lucky colors: white, gray, gold. Lucky directions: West, Northwest. Lucky numbers: 4, 9. Metal supports Water. Metal is weakened by Fire.
Water Element
Water stands for wisdom, flow, and winter. Water people are often thoughtful, adaptable, and deep. Lucky colors: black, blue, dark tones. Lucky directions: North. Lucky numbers: 1, 6. Water supports Wood. Water is weakened by Earth.
Zodiac Signs and Elements by Year
Each zodiac year has an element. The cycle repeats every 60 years. Here is how recent years break down.
| Year | Animal | Element | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Rat | Metal | Metal Rat |
| 2021 | Ox | Metal | Metal Ox |
| 2022 | Tiger | Water | Water Tiger |
| 2023 | Rabbit | Water | Water Rabbit |
| 2024 | Dragon | Wood | Wood Dragon |
| 2025 | Snake | Wood | Wood Snake |
| 2026 | Horse | Fire | Fire Horse |
| 2027 | Goat | Fire | Fire Goat |
| 2028 | Monkey | Earth | Earth Monkey |
| 2029 | Rooster | Earth | Earth Rooster |
| 2030 | Dog | Metal | Metal Dog |
| 2031 | Pig | Metal | Metal Pig |
Element Cycles: Support and Conflict
Elements support each other in a cycle. Wood feeds Fire. Fire creates Earth. Earth holds Metal. Metal carries Water. Water nourishes Wood. This is the generating cycle.
Elements also clash. Wood parts Earth. Earth dams Water. Water quenches Fire. Fire melts Metal. Metal cuts Wood. This is the controlling cycle. In relationships, matching or supportive elements often get along. Clashing elements may need more work. See our elements and love article.
Using Elements for Luck
Wear your element's lucky colors. Use your lucky numbers. Face your lucky directions. Add items in supporting elements. For example, a Wood person can add green plants (Wood) or red accents (Fire, which Wood supports).
Combine elements with our other guides: lucky colors, lucky numbers, lucky directions, lucky gemstones, and lucky flowers.
Elements and the Zodiac Animals
Each animal pairs with an element in a given year. A Wood Dragon is different from a Fire Dragon. Wood Dragon may be more creative. Fire Dragon may be more bold. Your full profile is animal plus element.
For personality by sign, see our complete guide and individual pages like Dragon and Snake.
FAQs
How do I find my Chinese zodiac sign and element?
Use our zodiac calculator. Enter your birth date. We show your sign. Your element comes from your birth year in the 60-year cycle.
Can I have two elements?
Your birth year has one element. Some systems use month or day for more detail. The basic system uses the year.
Which elements get along?
Supporting elements get along: Wood and Fire, Fire and Earth, Earth and Metal, Metal and Water, Water and Wood. Clashing pairs may need more effort.
How do elements affect lucky colors?
Each element has colors. Wood: green, blue. Fire: red, orange. Earth: yellow, brown. Metal: white, gray. Water: black, blue. Use your element's colors for luck.
Where can I learn more about elements and love?
Read our elements and love guide and love compatibility.