Tiger Chinese Zodiac Sign
虎 (Hu) · #3 / 12 · Yang · YIN Branch
Tiger Personality Traits
People born in the Year of the Tiger are often described as brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. The Tiger ranks #3 in the zodiac cycle and carries the fixed Wood element, which adds growth-oriented, creative, and idealistic qualities to the reading. As a yang sign, it is usually read as more outward and active.
The Tiger's hour is 3 AM - 5 AM. In traditional reading, that time is linked with the tiger's natural rhythm. It also connects with the YIN branch, the East-Northeast direction, and the Spring season.
Strengths
- ✓Natural-born leader with magnetic charisma
- ✓Courageous and willing to take risks
- ✓Fiercely protective of loved ones
- ✓High energy and enthusiasm
- ✓Strong sense of justice
Weaknesses
- ✗Can be reckless and impulsive
- ✗Tendency toward arrogance
- ✗Difficulty accepting authority
- ✗Mood swings and unpredictability
- ✗May be overly aggressive in conflicts
Tiger by Element
Each 12-year cycle pairs the Tiger branch with a different yearly phase. The animal stays the same, but the tone of the reading shifts.
Years: 1974
Wood Tiger is usually read as a Tiger expressed in a more expansive, ideal-driven, and developmental register.
Years: 1926, 1986
Fire Tiger is usually read as a Tiger expressed in a more visible, urgent, and expressive register.
Years: 1938, 1998
Earth Tiger is usually read as a Tiger expressed in a more grounded, measured, and durable register.
Years: 1950, 2010
Metal Tiger is usually read as a Tiger expressed in a more disciplined, exacting, and self-controlled register.
Years: 1962, 2022
Water Tiger is usually read as a Tiger expressed in a more perceptive, adaptive, and inwardly strategic register.
Method note: This site uses Lunar New Year as the year boundary for general zodiac-sign pages. Some BaZi schools instead mark the year at Li Chun, so advanced chart interpretations may differ.
Tiger Compatibility
Best Matches
Challenging Matches
Years of the Tiger
Lucky & Unlucky Things for Tiger
Lucky Things
Numbers: 1, 3, 4
Colors: Blue, Gray, Orange
Flowers: Cineraria
Directions: East, North, South
Unlucky Things
Numbers: 6, 7, 8
Colors: Brown
Famous People Born in the Year of the Tiger
Queen Elizabeth II
Born 1926 · Longest-reigning British monarch
Tom Cruise
Born 1962 · Iconic Hollywood action star
Leonardo DiCaprio
Born 1974 · Oscar-winning actor and environmentalist
Lady Gaga
Born 1986 · Grammy-winning pop icon and actress
Stevie Wonder
Born 1950 · Legendary musician and songwriter
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