Strengths
- Kind and considerate
- Diplomatic and tactful
- Careful and observant
- Refined taste
Chinese zodiac 兔: Year of the Rabbit (Hare)
The Rabbit is the fourth Chinese zodiac animal, associated in tradition with gentleness, tact and a quiet, elegant sense of style.
The next Year of the Rabbit is the Wood Rabbit, from Thursday 8 February 2035.
- Chinese
- 兔 tù
- Earthly Branch
- 卯 Mǎo
- Fixed element
- Wood
- Polarity
- Yin
- Hours
- 05:00–07:00
Rabbit years, 1900–2100
Each Rabbit year starts at Chinese New Year, so birthdays in January or early February of these years may belong to the previous animal. Check the exact dates:
| Year | From – to | Element |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 29 Jan 1903 – 15 Feb 1904 | Water Rabbit 癸卯 |
| 1915 | 14 Feb 1915 – 2 Feb 1916 | Wood Rabbit 乙卯 |
| 1927 | 2 Feb 1927 – 22 Jan 1928 | Fire Rabbit 丁卯 |
| 1939 | 19 Feb 1939 – 7 Feb 1940 | Earth Rabbit 己卯 |
| 1951 | 6 Feb 1951 – 26 Jan 1952 | Metal Rabbit 辛卯 |
| 1963 | 25 Jan 1963 – 12 Feb 1964 | Water Rabbit 癸卯 |
| 1975 | 11 Feb 1975 – 30 Jan 1976 | Wood Rabbit 乙卯 |
| 1987 | 29 Jan 1987 – 16 Feb 1988 | Fire Rabbit 丁卯 |
| 1999 | 16 Feb 1999 – 4 Feb 2000 | Earth Rabbit 己卯 |
| 2011 | 3 Feb 2011 – 22 Jan 2012 | Metal Rabbit 辛卯 |
| 2023 | 22 Jan 2023 – 9 Feb 2024 | Water Rabbit 癸卯 |
| 2035 | 8 Feb 2035 – 27 Jan 2036 | Wood Rabbit 乙卯 |
| 2047 | 26 Jan 2047 – 13 Feb 2048 | Fire Rabbit 丁卯 |
| 2059 | 12 Feb 2059 – 1 Feb 2060 | Earth Rabbit 己卯 |
| 2071 | 31 Jan 2071 – 18 Feb 2072 | Metal Rabbit 辛卯 |
| 2083 | 17 Feb 2083 – 5 Feb 2084 | Water Rabbit 癸卯 |
| 2095 | 5 Feb 2095 – 24 Jan 2096 | Wood Rabbit 乙卯 |
The Rabbit in Chinese astrology
The Rabbit is the fourth animal of the Chinese zodiac and corresponds to the Earthly Branch mǎo. Too small to swim the river in the Great Race, it hopped across on stepping stones and finished on a floating log – helped, in some versions, by a gust of breath from the Dragon. In Chinese folklore a jade rabbit also lives on the Moon, where it pounds the elixir of immortality for the Moon goddess Chang'e.
In Chinese astrology the Rabbit is associated with kindness, diplomacy and good taste. Rabbit-born people are traditionally described as gentle, observant and careful, preferring harmony to confrontation and thinking before they leap. The sign is also linked with refinement and a love of a calm, comfortable home. The Rabbit is a yin sign, and Wood is its fixed element, which tradition connects with growth and spring.
Challenges
- Avoids necessary conflict
- Can be overcautious
- Sensitive to criticism
- Slow to make decisions
In love
Traditional readings describe the Rabbit as a tender, attentive partner who values peace, loyalty and small gestures of care. It is said to open up slowly and to need a partner who is patient and gentle. Classical rules place the Rabbit in a trine with the Goat and the Pig and name the Dog as its secret friend, while the Rooster is its clash sign.
At work
In tradition the Rabbit brings tact, patience and an eye for detail to its work. It is associated with roles that reward good judgment and diplomacy, such as advising, design, teaching or anything that calls for a steady hand. The Rabbit is said to thrive in a calm, respectful setting and to find constant pressure or open rivalry draining.
The five kinds of Rabbit
Wood Rabbit
Wood is the Rabbit's own fixed element, so a Wood Rabbit is said to be the most generous and easygoing Rabbit, with a strong wish to help.
1915, 1975, 2035, 2095
Fire Rabbit
A Fire Rabbit is traditionally warmer and more expressive than other Rabbits, with more drive and a livelier social side.
1927, 1987, 2047
Earth Rabbit
An Earth Rabbit is described as practical and steady, more willing to plan ahead and to hold its ground.
1939, 1999, 2059
Metal Rabbit
A Metal Rabbit is said to be more determined and ambitious, pairing the Rabbit's refinement with a clear sense of purpose.
1951, 2011, 2071
Water Rabbit
A Water Rabbit is associated with sensitivity and imagination, tuned in to moods and quick to sympathise.
1903, 1963, 2023, 2083
Rabbit compatibility
- Trine (San He)
- Goat, Pig One of the four groups of three animals four years apart, traditionally the most harmonious match.
- Six Harmonies (Liu He)
- Dog A “secret friend” pair, traditionally supportive and complementary.
- Clash (Liu Chong)
- Rooster Opposite animals six years apart, traditionally the most challenging pairing.
- Harm (Liu Hai)
- Dragon A pair traditionally said to cause friction or misunderstandings.
Questions and answers
Is the Rabbit the same as the Hare?
Yes. The Chinese character 兔 (tù) covers both rabbits and hares, so English sources use either name for the fourth sign. In the Vietnamese zodiac, which follows the same 12-branch cycle, the Cat takes the Rabbit's place.
Which animals are compatible with the Rabbit?
By classical rules the Rabbit shares a trine (San He) with the Goat and the Pig and forms a Six Harmonies (Liu He) pair with the Dog. It clashes (Liu Chong) with the Rooster, its opposite in the cycle, and its Six Harms (Liu Hai) partner is the Dragon.
What is the Rabbit's element?
The Rabbit's fixed element is Wood, and it is a yin sign. Each Rabbit year also takes an element from its Heavenly Stem, so the 60-year cycle has Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water Rabbits, and every Rabbit year is a yin year.