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Chinese zodiac · Chinese zodiac 11

Dog

Dog · 狗 gǒu

The Dog (狗 gǒu), sign 11 of the Chinese zodiac: earthly branch Xu 戌, fixed element earth, yang.

The Dog is the loyal guardian of the house, and the sign is associated with faithfulness, honesty and a strong sense of justice.

In Chinese astrology the year animal is only one part of a horoscope: the element of the year's heavenly stem, the month, day and hour of birth (the Four Pillars) and their interactions are read together. The traditional characterisations of each animal belong to folk belief and popular almanacs rather than to a single authoritative text.

Personality

loyal · honest · just · protective · faithful · anxious · principled

In Chinese popular astrology the Dog is described as loyal, honest and principled, the faithful guardian of the household. Linked with the earthly branch Xu, yang and the element earth, it is associated with faithfulness, justice and the protection of those who depend on it.

Almanac portraits credit Dog-born people with sincerity, courage, generosity and a strong sense of right and wrong; they are said to defend the weak, to keep secrets and to stand by friends through hardship. The weaknesses traditionally named are anxiety and pessimism, stubbornness, a sharp tongue when injustice provokes them, and suspicion of strangers until trust has been earned.

In love the Dog is portrayed as devoted, dependable and protective, slow to give its heart but faithful once it has; the traditional triad places it in harmony with the Tiger and the Horse. At work it is linked with law, social work, medicine, teaching, public service and any career built on trust and principle. Chinese astrologers add that the year's element and the other pillars of birth shape each Dog's character, and that the animal sign describes tendencies within a larger horoscope rather than a fixed fate.

Sources and further reading