The Year of the Dog

Dogs are perhaps one of the most beloved animals amongst every culture in the entire world. Those born under the sign of the Dog have similar traits to their animal counterparts and are said to possess the best characteristics of humanity. In Chinese culture, dogs are regarded as auspicious animals and bring good fortune when they visit your home. People born during the Year of the Dog are friendly, loyal, smart, and honest. Though they are highly popular and well liked, they can often put people off with their stubborn and critical natures.

Basic Astrology Elements

Though most people are aware of the yearly assignment of the Chinese Zodiac signs, Chinese astrology digs deeper and each sign is also tied to a month, day, and hours. The sign of the year you were born represents how you present yourself, your birth month represents your inner self, the day of your birth is your true self, and the hour you were born reveals your secret self. Figuring out your 4 pillars can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

The Dog is in the 11th position of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac.

Years of the Dog: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

Earthly Branch of Birth Year: 戌 Xu

Wu Xing (The Five Elements): Earth (Tu)

Yin Yang: Yang

Chinese Symbol: Gǒu

Season: Autumn

Lunar Month: 9th

Gregorian Date and Western Zodiac Equivalent: Oct 8 – Oct 22 Libra or Oct 23 – Nov 6 Scorpio

Solar Term and Longitude: 194°寒露 hánlù or 211°霜降 shuāngjiàng

Hours (based on local solar time): 19:00 – 20:59 This is the time when Dogs carry out their duty of guarding the houses.

Days: Zodiac animal of the day you were born can be calculated here: https://www.traditionalfengshui.co.za/fourpillarssoftware.htm

Personality Traits

Those born under the Year of the Dog are generally well received by other people. Their loyalty, honesty, sincerity, and kindness are highly praised and valued. A dog’s greatest strength is their loyalty and devotion to those they care about. They are willing to do anything for their loved ones. On the negative side of their personality is their stubbornness and self-righteous nature. They also turn people away by being overly critical.

Positive Traits: Honest, Faithful, Loyal, Smart, Responsible, Clever, Courageous, Lively

Negative Traits: Sensitive, Stubborn, Emotional, Cold, Self-righteous, Critical, Anxious Conservative

Elemental Variations

As is the case with all the other signs, elemental variations lead to different types of Dog personalities.

Wood Dog: 1934 and 1994

Wood dogs are honest, reliable, and excellent communicators. They possess a strong sense of justice and will not stop until the person in the wrong apologizes for their actions. Wood dogs also value fairness and will always repay others back for their kindness. They are persistent in all aspects of their life, including work and love. They are diligent and will finish any task no matter the cost. In love, wood dogs communicate earnestly and expect their partner to do the same. They have favorable luck in wealth throughout their whole lives.

Fire Dog: 1946 and 2006

Like all dogs, fire dogs are faithful and generous. They are always straightforward with their feelings and say what’s in their hearts to their friends and lovers. Atypical to their sign, fire dogs are slightly introverted. However, they still have good luck in friendships and love. They are idealistic, but work hard to make their dreams come true. Fire dogs are very pure and true of heart and can easily be hurt by others in love. They are bad at managing money, but are content because wealth is not one of their priorities.

Earth Dog: 1958 and 2018

Earth dogs are open-minded, faithful, and considerate. They possess the traits that epitomize a dog’s nature. They are principled, well disciplined, meticulous, and committed to their work. They are upright and never compromise their morals when achieving their goals. Earth dogs respect other people’s opinions, but don’t let it affect how they live their life. They are content to mind their own business and think others should do the same. Earth dogs have trouble being romantic, but are loyal and true when they find a suitable partner.

Metal Dog: 1970

Generally lucky in all aspects, metal dogs live prosperous lives. They are skillful, smart, and self-reliant. Metal dogs tend to have good relationships and are willing to help a friend in need. They are beautiful, but also suffer from vanity. However, they are never cruel. Their beauty and generally kind nature make them attractive to the opposite sex. They are dreamers who long for love, but don’t actually know what to do when it comes along.

Water Dog: 1982

Water dogs are benevolent and have great foresight. They are able to make choices that lead them to live smooth and prosperous lives. They keep their heads down and work seriously and responsibly. Because of their ability to plan ahead, they have steady wealth and manage their money well. Water dogs are easily controlled by love and give every part of themselves to their partners. However, they can push people away when they get too emotional and selfish.

Career Options

Dogs often fare well in service jobs because of their loyalty and dedication to hard work. They put their hearts into everything they do and never give up, even under dire circumstances. They tend to have good ideas, but lack practical experience. With a bit of guidance from kind, intelligent bosses, dogs will flourish in their chosen career path.

Best Career Options: Doctor, Civil Servant, Accountant, Programmer, Professor, Nurse, Judge, Counselor, Priest

Luck

Those born during the Year of the Dog live generally prosperous lives. Like all the signs, their luck has ups and downs.

Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 9
Lucky Colors: Green, Red, Purple
Lucky Flowers: Rose, Oncidium, Cymbidium Orchids
Lucky Directions: East, South, and Northeast
Lucky Days: The 7th and 28th of every Chinese lunar month
Lucky Months: The 6th, 10th, and 12th Chinese lunar months

Unlucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7
Unlucky Colors: Blue, White, Gold
Unlucky Directions: Southeast
Unlucky Months: The 5th and 8th Chinese lunar months

Relationships

People under the sign of the Dog are easy to love, but need to take their time getting to know people. Once they feel comfortable in a relationship, they will be completely loyal and devoted. Dogs will do anything for the people they love and would rather suffer a loss than make someone feel uncomfortable. Their key to success in relationships is their ability to communicate well. They always listen and talk things through with their partner, even in difficult times.

Best Matches: Tiger, Rabbit

Dogs get along best with people who share their same values and instincts. Rabbits and Dogs are honest and understanding. This leads them to have a harmonious, yet fun and loving relationship. Tigers and Dogs pair well because of their idealism and sense of justice. They complement each other well and can easily achieve their goals together

Worst Matches: Dragon, Rooster, Sheep

Dogs often clash with people that they cannot trust. Dogs and Dragons experience the most conflict due to Dragons’ guarded nature. Roosters and Dogs don’t understand or appreciate each other’s character and will fight every chance they get. Though similar in nature, Sheep and Dogs clash because they are unable to express their true feelings.

Good Friends: Monkey, Pig, Rat

Monkeys, Pigs, and Rats share similar interests and hobbies with Dogs. Dogs will have sweet relationships with any of these signs because they seldom quarrel and have fun together.

Sophia Loren