What Is Your Chinese Zodiac Element? Find Out the Meaning Behind the Five Different Elements and What They Reveal
The Chinese zodiac has fascinated people for millennia with what your birth year says about your personality and path. But there's a deeper layer embedded within the zodiac that provides even richer insight—your Chinese element.
As Chinese Astrology expert and author of The Chinese Five Elements Oracle: A 60-Card Deck and Guidebook, Vicki Iskandar explains, "Everything in life is a manifestation of one of these five elements—whether it’s the time of year, a mood, a taste, a thing, an emotion or an action. The five elements are the foundation of not only Chinese metaphysics, which includes astrology and feng shui but also traditional Chinese medicine."
Discovering your element opens up deeper self-knowledge and even health implications.
Related: 6 Chinese New Year Traditions for the Year of the Dragon
What's the Origin of the Chinese Zodiac Elements?
The five elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water originated conceptually in Chinese philosophy and cosmology long before the 12 zodiac animals emerged. According to Maria Hayes, founder of Trusted Astrology, "Identified as fire, water, earth, wood and metal, these five elements represent the balance and interconnectedness of the universe. Deeply rooted in Taoism, the concept of harmony is hinged on these five elements."
They symbolize fundamental phases and forces of change in the physical and human realms.
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What Do the Chinese Zodiac Elements Mean?
Beyond seasonal and symbolic associations, your element shapes reputation and expectations:
Fire
The Fire element erupts with symbolic themes of heat, light and kinetic energy. As Hayes puts it, "Like the burning flames, it symbolizes change, passion and pure energy."
Yet it also radiates "love and warmth," she says, "just like how a fireplace can provide comfort on a chilly night."
Iskandar adds to this fiery profile by connecting Fire to "the sun, the heart, the color red" and the vibrancy of summer. For her, "Fire energy radiates outward, like sunlight" and epitomizes "joy, the key to a higher vibration."
Together, these insights cast those of the Fire element as dynamic sources of illumination who must mind the fine line between transforming and combusting.
Water
The Water element flows with symbolic undertones of winter's introspection and fluid wisdom. As Iskandar characterizes it, Water is "the element of winter, the most Yin time of the year" where receptive energy prevails. She links it to "darkness, the color black and the planet Mercury," describing Water as granting inward access to "wisdom" when balanced.
Yet, she cautions, "An imbalance of Water can bring excessive fear.”
Hayes conveys consistency in noting Water also signifies “adaptability and intuitiveness” with the pooling presence of “a flowing river.”
Water element holders themselves reciprocate as “perceptive, resourceful, and diplomatic,” she says. But they risk a reliance on reflection over action. Together, these insights warn those aligned with the Water element to temper their depths with some serious decisiveness.
Wood
The Wood element conjures images of sky-high trees and grounded roots, encapsulating the themes of seasonal renewal and steadfast strength. As Hayes describes, "Like an immovable trunk, it symbolizes rootedness, growth and strength. It also incorporates a sense of flexibility and warmth, just like how branches can resist winds and provide shades."
This enduring yet adaptive nature means those with the Wood element are seen as "grounded, compassionate, and humble, yet driven and hungry for growth," she adds.
Iskandar echoes Wood's alignment with "new beginnings, creativity and a higher vision," associated as it is with the burgeoning spring season. But she cautions that its "upward energy" also connects it to the emotion of anger when out of balance.
Together, these experts paint a picture of the Wood element (and those who bear it astrologically) as blending visionary growth with principled tenacity. Yet without proper care, anger may take root instead of new life. Discovering your elemental alignment will help you grow into the person you’re meant to be.
Earth
Contrasting understandings of the Earth element nonetheless cohere around themes of stability and support. Hayes focuses on Earth’s practical aspects, as “represented by the ground, it symbolizes stability and nourishment” with an orientation toward “practicality, patience, dependability.” Accordingly, those bearing this element tend to be “responsible, realistic and loyal,” in her words.
Iskandar also roots Earth in transitional “grounding” energy that keeps “centering” at the “center” between seasons and extremes. For her, Earth constitutes an element of “peace” for “helping us transition from one season to another.”
Both views recognize nurturing, conscientious realism in the Earth element.
Metal
Diverging takes on the Metal element meet on its symbolic resonance with purpose and resolve. "Metal is the element of fall,” links Iskandar, where its energy crystallizes into precious form. She calls Metal energy deeply “misunderstood,” harboring hidden capacity for “self-reflection that connects us to the spirit within.”
But when imbalanced, Metal also connects to the emotion “grief,” she says.
Hayes focuses more externally on Metal's sheer “determination and unbreakable will” that can seem rigidly stubborn. To her, disciplined Metal types uphold their “duty” with “very disciplined” commitment which nevertheless risks isolating effects without flexibility.
Both interpretations signal steely persistence pounds or polishes depending on balance—illuminating why those aligned with unyielding Metal energy sometimes struggle with adaptation.
Related: Chinese New Year Wishes and Greetings
How Do I Find My Chinese Zodiac Element?
Discovering your Chinese zodiac element is easy. Just match the last digit of your birth year to the corresponding element:
0 or 1 — Metal
2 or 3 — Water
4 or 5 — Wood
6 or 7 — Fire
8 or 9 — Earth
So, for example, if you were born in 1982, your element would be Water. If you were born in 1991, your element would be Metal.
However, if you were born in January or February, you'll need to check a lunar calendar for the accurate year translation, since the Lunar New Year falls around that time and you might have a different year in that case.
So, 2024 is not just the Year of the Dragon—it's the Year of the Wood Dragon.
What Zodiac Elements Go Together?
Beyond individual traits, the five elements interact with each other in cycles of creation and destruction. Each one either empowers, overpowers or mutually balances another.
Fire fuels Wood, so they have an empowering relationship
Fire burns Earth into ash and nurtures it, so they balance each other
Earth is the source of Metal, so they have a creative relationship
When Metal condenses, it produces Water, so they gather and enhance each other
Water in turn nourishes Wood, so they encourage each other
But the elements can also check, control and conflict:
Wood's roots penetrate Earth, so tension arises
Earth shapes Water, so domination crops up
Water extinguishes Fire, so one overshadows the other
Fire melts Metal, so they profoundly influence each other
Metal chops Wood, so they often clash
Certain zodiac pairings have natural affinity while others represent growth opportunities. Either way, whether you vibe or provide a counterbalance, your Chinese zodiac alignment offers timeless wisdom and perspective about yourself and relationships.
Next: Here’s Exactly What Your Month's Birthstone Says About Your Personality
Sources
Vicki Iskandar, Chinese Astrology expert and author of The Chinese Five Elements Oracle: A 60-Card Deck and Guidebook
Maria Hayes, founder of Trusted Astrology
