Courage is the word most often attached to the Tiger. In Chinese folk tradition, the Tiger guards, leads, and steps forward when others hesitate. It is the sign people picture at the front of the line. Alongside that boldness, traditional readings mention impatience and a strong dislike of being told what to do.
The Tiger holds third place and corresponds to the branch 寅 (yín), a wood branch in tradition. This page describes how tradition reads that branch, with the usual reminder that these are cultural ideas, not measurements of character.
Years of the Tiger
Tiger years follow the lunar calendar. Here are the eight most recent, each running from Lunar New Year to the eve of the next:
- 2022 Water Tiger: Feb 1, 2022 – Jan 21, 2023
- 2010 Metal Tiger: Feb 14, 2010 – Feb 2, 2011
- 1998 Earth Tiger: Jan 28, 1998 – Feb 15, 1999
- 1986 Fire Tiger: Feb 9, 1986 – Jan 28, 1987
- 1974 Wood Tiger: Jan 23, 1974 – Feb 10, 1975
- 1962 Water Tiger: Feb 5, 1962 – Jan 24, 1963
- 1950 Metal Tiger: Feb 17, 1950 – Feb 5, 1951
- 1938 Earth Tiger: Jan 31, 1938 – Feb 18, 1939
Notice how much the start date moves. In 1998 the year began on Jan 28, 1998, while in 1986 it waited until Feb 9, 1986. So a January or early February birthday needs a quick check against the list. A child born on February 5, 1986, for instance, belongs to the Wood Ox year. BaZi, 八字 (Bā Zì, the four-pillar birth chart), uses Start of Spring, 立春 (Lì Chūn), as the year boundary instead, which is February 4 in 2027. The Chinese zodiac calculator shows both answers.
Element by year
| Water Tiger | 2022, 1962 |
|---|---|
| Metal Tiger | 2010, 1950 |
| Earth Tiger | 1998, 1938 |
| Fire Tiger | 1986 |
| Wood Tiger | 1974 |
Each Tiger year has an element, 五行 (wǔ xíng), that colors the traditional reading.
Water Tiger (1962, 2022). Water is linked with black and blue. This Tiger is described as calmer and more intuitive than the rest, often the listener in the group. Tradition notes it may hesitate where other Tigers leap.
Metal Tiger (1950, 2010). Metal carries white and gold. The Metal Tiger is pictured as decisive and competitive, with high standards for itself. Folk advice suggests leaving space for other opinions.
Earth Tiger (1938, 1998). Earth is yellow and brown in the color scheme. This version is called the most grounded Tiger, ambitious but practical. It tends to plan before it pounces.
Fire Tiger (1926, 1986). Red fire amplifies the Tiger’s energy. Tradition describes a warm, expressive, adventurous person. The caution is about burning through enthusiasm too fast.
Wood Tiger (1974). Green wood suggests growth and openness. The Wood Tiger is seen as friendly and fair, good at bringing people together. It may promise more than one schedule can hold.
Traditional personality traits
The Tiger is commonly described as brave, independent-minded, and passionate. On the positive side, tradition credits it with:
- Bravery. Willing to try what others call risky.
- A mind of its own. Comfortable charting its own path.
- Passion. Wholehearted about the people and causes it cares for.
On the cautionary side, it is also called impulsive:
- Acting first. Planning may come after the leap.
- Restlessness with rules. Structure can feel like a cage.
In relationships and work
In relationships, the traditional Tiger is passionate and loyal, and it likes partners who keep up. Tigers are said to need freedom inside commitment, such as time for their own projects. A useful reflection is to explain that need clearly, so a partner does not read independence as distance.
At work, folk descriptions place the Tiger in roles that need initiative: starting projects, pitching ideas, or leading through a hard stretch. Routine maintenance may bore it. Many Tiger-year people use this as a reminder to pair big starts with a plan for the follow-through.
Best and challenging matches
Tradition sorts sign pairs by branch relationships. Use the zodiac compatibility tool to look up any combination.
Traditionally harmonious:
- Three Harmony, 三合 (sān hé) with the Horse and the Dog in the 寅午戌 (yín wǔ xū) group, traditionally a fire combination: Tiger and Horse, Tiger and Dog.
- Six Harmony, 六合 (liù hé) with the Pig, the 寅亥 (yín hài) pair: Tiger and Pig.
Traditionally challenging:
- Clash, 六冲 (liù chōng) with the Monkey, 寅申 (yín shēn): Tiger and Monkey.
- Harm, 六害 (liù hài) with the Snake, 寅巳 (yín sì): Tiger and Snake.
- Punishment, 三刑 (sān xíng) in the 寅巳申 (yín sì shēn) group, traditionally named 无恩之刑 (wú ēn zhī xíng, the punishment of ingratitude), which again involves the Snake and the Monkey.
The Snake and the Monkey each appear twice in this list. Even so, the rule describes a pattern of friction to talk through, not an outcome.
The Tiger in 2027
The Year of the Fire Goat, 丁未 (Dīng Wèi), starts on February 6, 2027. The Tiger’s branch 寅 (yín) has none of the main relationships with the year’s branch 未 (wèi), so 2027 is a relatively neutral year in the traditional reading of Tai Sui, 太岁 (Tài Suì, the year’s guardian star in folk belief). With no strong pull either way, many people treat a neutral year as a good time to set their own pace. Read more in the Tiger 2027 forecast and the 2027 Fire Goat overview.
Frequently asked questions
Are Tigers and Monkeys incompatible?
Tradition calls 寅申 (yín shēn) a clash, which signals friction and contrasting styles. It does not say a relationship cannot work. Many pairs use the label as a reason to agree on ground rules early.
Is 2022 a Water Tiger year?
Yes. The 2022 Water Tiger year ran from Feb 1, 2022 to Jan 21, 2023. Births on January 1-31, 2022 belong to the Metal Ox year.
Is my Tiger sign the same in BaZi?
Usually, but not always. BaZi starts the year at Start of Spring rather than Lunar New Year, so a few late-January or early-February birthdays shift. The BaZi calculator shows the year pillar it uses.