About Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
The Chinese Compatibility Matcher compares two people using two layers of Chinese astrology: your zodiac animal and your year element. Enter both birthdays and get a match score out of 100, plus what naturally works between you and what takes a little care.
Animal compatibility
- Secret friends (六合) — six special harmony pairs that are the most devoted matches of all.
- Allies (三合) — the four "trines" of three animals that share goals and tempo.
- Clash (六冲) — opposite animals six apart, the most challenging pairing.
- Harm (六害) — pairs prone to small frictions and misunderstandings.
Because the Chinese year begins at Lichun (around 4 February), people born in January or early February are read as the previous year's animal — this calculator handles that boundary astronomically.
Element compatibility
Each animal year also carries one of the five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. In the productive cycle (相生) one element nourishes the next (a supportive flow), while in the controlling cycle (相克) one element restrains another (a more testing dynamic). Sharing an element makes you like-minded.
This is a fun, big-picture guide. A full reading would compare the complete Four Pillars (BaZi) of both people; for that, consult a qualified practitioner.