The Chinese Zodiac – The Tiger

The third animal in Chinese zodiac is also one of its most formidable members: the noble and ferocious Tiger.

Years of the Tiger

If you were lucky enough to have been born in the years 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, or 2022 it seems you have the Eye of the Tiger (and all of the other attributes too)! Please be sure to note that the Chinese zodiac follows the Chinese lunar calendar, which begins in late-January or early-February. This means that Chinese New Year fell on January 23rd in 1974 so, if you were born before that date, you actually belong to the Year of the Ox and not the Year of the Tiger. In short, you become the prey, and not the predator!

Lucky Signs and Symbols

Tiger people should look out for the numbers 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. One, three, and four are sure to bring you good fortune, while six, seven, and eight may prove to be disastrous! Blue, grey, and orange are your lucky colours, but beware of brown, as it may bring trouble.

Characteristics of the Tiger

The Tiger is known in China as the “King of Animals”, so it should come as no surprise that those born under its sign make capable leaders. People born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be brave, loyal, trustworthy, self-confident, charming, well-liked, resilient, intelligent, authoritative, and hard-working. That being said, their capacity to lead is often hindered by their arrogance, impetuousness, short-temperedness, and overindulgent nature.

Romantic Compatibility

When it comes to finding love, the Tiger should look to the Dragon, the Horse, and the Pig for a harmonious match, although they are also reasonably well-suited to matches with the Rooster and the Dog. They are better off as friends with the Sheep, while matches with the Rat and the Rabbit will be average at best. They should avoid the Ox, the Snake, the Monkey, and other Tigers, for those matches will be riddled with troubles and disagreements.  

Job Prospects

Those born under the sign of the Tiger are renowned for their indomitable spirit and ability to deal with anything that comes their way, which makes them well-suited for careers in management, travel, advertising, hospitality, art, acting, writing, music, and comedy.

It is believed that they will struggle early in their career, but will hit their stride once they reach their thirties or forties. 

How to Manage Your Relationship with the Tiger

When it comes to all of their personal relationships, the Tiger always seeks to take the dominant role. Due to their natural distrust of others and their over-confidence in themselves, they do not like having to listen to others and are thus not particularly good at networking in social situations. Their relationships are often strained by the commanding language and attitude with which they address others. This means that, while they might be acquainted with a lot of people, they have very few, if any, close friendships. If you want to get closer to someone born under the sign of the Tiger, you will need a great deal of patience and sensitivity. 

This unfortunately has a negative impact on romantic relationships as well, as those born in the year of the Tiger are believed to be incapable of showing deep levels of affection towards their partner, as they lack any sense of romance. Anyone who wishes to engage in a romantic relationship with them will need to keep up with their high octane lifestyle and adventurous impulses. 

The Elemental Cycle

As we mentioned in our introduction to the Chinese zodiac, the 12-year animal cycle is part of a much wider 60-year elemental cycle, meaning that each year of the zodiac is also assigned an element. People born in 1974 belong to the Year of the Wood Tiger, lending them the extra qualities of compassion, self-righteousness, and openness. The Fire Tigers, who were born in 1926 or 1986, are known for being optimistic and independent, but lack self-control. 

Anyone born in 1938 or 1998 is an Earth Tiger, meaning they are adventurous, ambitious, and practical. Those born in 1950 or 2010 are Metal Tigers, who are renowned for being peaceful, considerate, and caring, although not terribly talkative. Finally, the Water Tigers of 1962 or 2022 have a powerful sense of self-esteem and an exceptional capacity to learn new skills.

So, if you’re lucky enough to have been born under the sign of the Tiger, embrace your fearful symmetry and burn bright!