Chinese Zodiac
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
Quick Answer
In Chinese astrology the most compatible pairs are the Six Harmonies (Rat and Ox, Tiger and Pig, Rabbit and Dog, Dragon and Rooster, Snake and Monkey, Horse and Goat) and the four trines (Rat, Dragon and Monkey; Ox, Snake and Rooster; Tiger, Horse and Dog; Rabbit, Goat and Pig). The six clashes pair opposite signs: Rat and Horse, Ox and Goat, Tiger and Monkey, Rabbit and Rooster, Dragon and Dog, Snake and Pig.
Compatibility Chart
Read across a row for one sign's classical relationship with every other sign. Harmonies and trines are highlighted; a blank cell means no classical relationship.
| Sign | Rat | Ox | Tiger | Rabbit | Dragon | Snake | Horse | Goat | Monkey | Rooster | Dog | Pig |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | Same | Harmony | Neutral | Penalty | Trine | Neutral | Clash | Harm | Trine | Break | Neutral | Neutral |
| Ox | Harmony | Same | Neutral | Neutral | Break | Trine | Harm | Clash | Neutral | Trine | Penalty | Neutral |
| Tiger | Neutral | Neutral | Same | Neutral | Neutral | Harm | Trine | Neutral | Clash | Neutral | Trine | Harmony |
| Rabbit | Penalty | Neutral | Neutral | Same | Harm | Neutral | Break | Trine | Neutral | Clash | Harmony | Trine |
| Dragon | Trine | Break | Neutral | Harm | Same | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Trine | Harmony | Clash | Neutral |
| Snake | Neutral | Trine | Harm | Neutral | Neutral | Same | Neutral | Neutral | Harmony | Trine | Neutral | Clash |
| Horse | Clash | Harm | Trine | Break | Neutral | Neutral | Same | Harmony | Neutral | Neutral | Trine | Neutral |
| Goat | Harm | Clash | Neutral | Trine | Neutral | Neutral | Harmony | Same | Neutral | Neutral | Penalty | Trine |
| Monkey | Trine | Neutral | Clash | Neutral | Trine | Harmony | Neutral | Neutral | Same | Neutral | Neutral | Harm |
| Rooster | Break | Trine | Neutral | Clash | Harmony | Trine | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Same | Harm | Neutral |
| Dog | Neutral | Penalty | Trine | Harmony | Clash | Neutral | Trine | Penalty | Neutral | Harm | Same | Neutral |
| Pig | Neutral | Neutral | Harmony | Trine | Neutral | Clash | Neutral | Trine | Harm | Neutral | Neutral | Same |
What Each Relationship Means
- Six Harmonies (Liu He)The closest classical pairing: complementary and supportive.
- Trine (San He)Natural allies that share an element and a way of working.
- Clash (Liu Chong)Opposite signs: strong attraction or friction, rarely indifference.
- Harm (Liu Hai)Subtle misunderstandings that need patience.
- Punishment (Xing)A pairing said to test both people. Shown as Penalty in the chart.
- Break (Liu Po)Minor friction that can disrupt plans.
- NeutralNo classical relationship; depends on the full chart.
Each Sign in Detail
Questions About Compatibility
Which Chinese Zodiac Signs Are Most Compatible?
In Chinese astrology the most compatible pairs are the Six Harmonies (Rat and Ox, Tiger and Pig, Rabbit and Dog, Dragon and Rooster, Snake and Monkey, Horse and Goat) and the four trines (Rat, Dragon and Monkey; Ox, Snake and Rooster; Tiger, Horse and Dog; Rabbit, Goat and Pig). The six clashes pair opposite signs: Rat and Horse, Ox and Goat, Tiger and Monkey, Rabbit and Rooster, Dragon and Dog, Snake and Pig.
What Are the Four Chinese Zodiac Trines?
Water: Rat, Dragon, Monkey; Metal: Ox, Snake, Rooster; Fire: Tiger, Horse, Dog; Wood: Rabbit, Goat, Pig. Signs in the same trine share an element and a way of working, and are considered natural allies.
Is a Clash Always Bad?
No. Opposite signs often feel strong attraction as well as friction. Chinese astrologers read compatibility from the full chart, especially the day pillars, not the year animal alone.
Data for this page: Markdown. Free to cite with a link to this page.