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Chinese zodiac · Chinese zodiac 3

Tiger

Tiger · 虎 hǔ

The Tiger (虎 hǔ), sign 3 of the Chinese zodiac: earthly branch Yin 寅, fixed element wood, yang.

The Tiger is the king of the mountain animals and a guardian against evil; its image was painted on children's clothes for protection. The sign is associated with courage, authority and passion.

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

brave · confident · passionate · independent · charismatic · impulsive · protective

In Chinese popular astrology the Tiger is described as brave, passionate and commanding, the king of the mountain beasts whose image was painted on children's clothes to keep evil away. Linked with the earthly branch Yin, yang and the element wood, it is a sign of authority, vigour and protection.

Almanac portraits credit Tiger-born people with courage, confidence, generosity and a strong sense of justice; they are said to stand up for the weak and to inspire others by their daring. They are thought to love challenges and to recover quickly from defeat. The weaknesses traditionally named are impulsiveness, rebelliousness against authority, a quick temper and a restlessness that can lead them to start more than they finish.

In love the Tiger is portrayed as ardent and magnetic, a protective partner who needs respect and some freedom; the traditional triad places it in harmony with the Horse and the Dog. At work it is linked with leadership, the military and police, exploration, entrepreneurship and any field that calls for initiative and nerve. Chinese astrologers stress that the year animal is read together with the element of the year and the other pillars of birth, so not every Tiger roars in the same way.

Sources and further reading