Chinese Zodiac Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with not only a zodiac animal, but also one of the Five Elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements are part of a 10-year cycle known as the Heavenly Stems.

🔄 How It Works

The element is determined by your birth year. Each element lasts for two consecutive years:

• Wood: Years ending in 4 or 5 (e.g., 1984, 1985)
• Fire: Years ending in 6 or 7 (e.g., 1976, 1977)
• Earth: Years ending in 8 or 9 (e.g., 1998, 1999)
• Metal: Years ending in 0 or 1 (e.g., 1990, 1991)
• Water: Years ending in 2 or 3 (e.g., 1992, 1993)

🌓 Yin & Yang

Each element year is also associated with a polarity — Yin or Yang. The first year is Yang, followed by Yin:

• Yang: Odd-numbered position in the element pair (e.g., 1990 = Yang Metal)
• Yin: Even-numbered position (e.g., 1991 = Yin Metal)

🔢 Example

If you were born in 1991:

• Element Index: (1991 - 4) % 10 = 7
• Element: Metal
• Polarity: Yin
• Zodiac Animal: Goat
• Full Sign: Yin Metal Goat

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