Think relationships are as simple as your sign compatibility? Think again. Ever wonder why someone who’s supposed to be a good match for your sign ends up driving you crazy? Aren’t Rats and Dragons supposed to get along great? How is it that a Pig and a Snake can make it work? The answer is more complicated than you might think and it all has to do with the Chinese Elements.
In Chinese Astrology, there are five fundamental elements that make up the world – Metal, Earth, Fire, Water, and Wood. Additionally, each Chinese Animal sign is associated with one of those elements. For example, the Pig’s fixed element is Water. To throw another factor in the equation, however, the element of your birth year also has a direct influence on your personality. If I’m born in the Year of the Fire Pig, this means my year element is Fire, but the fixed element of my sign is Water. What do you get when you put Fire and Water together? Conflicting personality traits, of course!
When it comes to relationships, it’s important to factor in you and your partner’s fixed sign elements and year elements in order to understand your compatibility strengths and challenges. Your guy may be a docile and introverted Ox, but if he's born in a Metal year he might be a bit more pugnacious and aggressive when you have arguments. So, let’s take a look at the characteristics of each element and which signs belong to what category:
Fire
Fixed Element for: Snake, Horse Sheep
Characteristics: Fire guys are more outgoing, aggressive, and ambitious. They are the ones who look before leaping but often end up succeeding simply because they’re willing to take risks. In love, Fire signs tend to act passionately but sometimes rashly. They can be incredibly impulsive, adoring, and fun, but also jealous, irrational, and fickle.
Water
Fixed element for: Pig, Rat, Ox
Characteristics: The Water man tends to be the quieter, introverted type. However, Water signs have incredible communication skills and a tendency for outstanding creative abilities. These men tend to go with the flow and can be more passive in relationships. With a depth of emotions and a keen sensitivity to their surroundings, Water guys can be overly dramatic and sometimes a bit too emotional in love. However, they’re usually intuitive and generous partners.
Wood
Fixed element for: Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon
Characteristics: Wood men have a reputation for being people-pleasers. They tend to be good communicators, are flexible, and want to be fair in all their decisions. They also love trying new things and figuring out ways to solve problems. In relationships, Wood signs can be a bit too bullheaded, but it’s usually because they believe that any problem can be resolved with a little elbow grease and stick-to-it-ness. However, Wood men can be great leaders and make for dedicated lovers.
Metal
Fixed element for: Monkey, Rooster, Dog
Characteristics: The Metal man tends to be rigid but extremely loyal. Metal people usually are the most driven and hard-working men you know, and these traits tend to carry over into their relationships. However, Metal signs can often be a bit cold, calculating, and judgmental. The good news? They make up for it by being reliable and dependable.
Now that you know a bit about each element, try to see where you and your man’s signs either clash or compliment one another. Knowing his
element “profile” gives you a good sense of how he likes to communicate, behave, and love.