Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
How Does Zodiac Compatibility Work?
As you can see from the chart above, there are various degrees of compatibility between the zodiac animals. These are determined through several groupings known as the Three Harmonies, Six Harmonies, Six Conflicts, and Six Damages.
Three Harmonies: Best Matches
The 12 zodiac animals can be divided into four groups of three that get along especially well—the Three Harmonies. The three signs in each group make the best romantic matches, as they tend to think similarly and value the same things in life. They also bring luck to each other with plenty of mutual understanding. As colleagues and friends, they will work well together to reach the best outcome.
The Three Harmonies consists of four groups of three zodiac signs, with each sign spaced four years apart:
Rat, Dragon and Monkey
Ox, Snake and Rooster
Tiger, Horse and Dog
Rabbit, Goat and Pig
Six Harmonies: Most Supportive Matches
Unlike the Three Harmonies who are more outrightly compatible, these are six pairs of zodiac animals who can be mutually supportive. They tend to lend a helping hand at pivotal moments in each other’s life and make the best parents, colleagues and friends. The Six Harmonies pairs are
Rat and Ox
Tiger and Pig
Rabbit and Dog
Dragon and Rooster
Snake and Monkey
Horse and Goat
Six Conflicts: Opposites Attract
These are six pairings, just like the Six Harmonies. But these pairs have opposite personalities and tend to view the world in opposing ways. Precisely because of this, however, these pairs can share strong attractions and find the other person very intriguing from the start. Even so, with such different views on life, they may come together in a passionate relationship for a while before ultimately separating. The Six Conflict’s pairs are spaced six years apart, and include:
Rat and Horse
Ox and Goat
Tiger and Monkey
Rabbit and Rooster
Dragon and Dog
Snake and Pig
Six Damages: Worst Matches
The Six Damages take the Six Conflicts one step further. These pairs are so different that they are unlikely to ever see eye to eye. If they somehow end up in a marriage or important partnership, these pairs will be prone to catastrophic fights and damage their partner’s luck. The Six Damages are:
Rat and Goat
Ox and Horse
Tiger and Snake
Rabbit and Dragon
Monkey and Pig
Rooster and Dog
Compatibility Beyond Chinese Zodiac Signs
Zodiac signs are just one facet of compatibility in Chinese zodiacs, which can almost be considered an entire discipline. This is because, aside from calculating compatibility based on zodiac animals, you must also think about other factors, including the Five Elements Theory. As shown on the chart below, each zodiac animal belongs to one of the five elements, which will make them either “generating” or “overcoming” together.
