Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Yin-yang: Yang
Symbolic qualities
- loyal
- honest
- protective
- fair-minded
The Dog is the symbol of loyalty and a sense of fairness. It stands by those it loves and defends what it believes is right. Its shadow side is anxiety and pessimism.
The outward, initiating, active side. In yang years the element is expressed in a more visible, active way.
Cultural note
As the guardian of the household and the gate, the dog is an image of loyalty and a sense of fairness. Standing by the people it loves, it is read in the calendar as the character who stands behind its word.
Things you might reflect on
- Whose side does it feel meaningful to stand by?
- On something that worries you, what small step is in your hands?
- How could the people you trust support you?
Years it falls on
Each year begins at Lunar New Year; the date varies between 21 January and 20 February.
- 1910 · Metal · 10 February 1910
- 1922 · Water · 28 January 1922
- 1934 · Wood · 14 February 1934
- 1946 · Fire · 2 February 1946
- 1958 · Earth · 18 February 1958
- 1970 · Metal · 6 February 1970
- 1982 · Water · 25 January 1982
- 1994 · Wood · 10 February 1994
- 2006 · Fire · 29 January 2006
- 2018 · Earth · 16 February 2018
- 2030 · Metal · 3 February 2030
- 2042 · Water · 22 January 2042
- 2054 · Wood · 8 February 2054
- 2066 · Fire · 26 January 2066
- 2078 · Earth · 12 February 2078
- 2090 · Metal · 30 January 2090
This animal with the five elements
In the tradition the year's element adds a tone to the animal's character. It is a cultural reading and does not define a person.
- Wood Dog
- Wood grips earth: loyalty is more flexible and enterprising. It turns its sense of fairness into work or community.
- Fire Dog
- Fire feeds earth: warm, generous and protective. A more visible strength beside those it loves.
- Earth Dog
- The dog doubled in its own element: loyalty and responsibility are strong. Not carrying worry alone does good.
- Metal Dog
- Earth gives birth to metal: principled, clear and honest. It defends what it thinks right more firmly; watch not to slide into rigidity.
- Water Dog
- Earth channels water: intuition and compassion grow. More open to worry, but reads people more deeply.
The five elements
- Wood
- Growth, flexibility and generosity. Wood symbolises the energy that puts out new shoots and makes room for others.
- Fire
- Passion, warmth and visibility. Fire symbolises the energy that spreads enthusiasm but needs to be kept in balance.
- Earth
- Balance, patience and nourishment. Earth symbolises the energy that holds things together and gives a sense of security.
- Metal
- Clarity, resolve and essence. Metal symbolises the energy that clears away the unnecessary and polishes what matters.
- Water
- Intuition, adaptability and depth. Water symbolises the energy that finds its way by flowing around obstacles.
The twelve animals
For entertainment and self-reflection. Year animals are presented as cultural history and character symbolism; they do not tell you what a year holds.
The images on this page were generated with AI.