Chinese zodiac · sign 11 of 12
Dog
The Dog represents loyalty, honesty and protection. It's a symbol of unconditional faithfulness.
- On the wheel of the twelve animals, in black: Dog.
- The red triangle links it with its two friends (三合): Tiger and Horse.
- The dotted line crosses to its opposite (六冲): Dragon.
History and symbolism
The Dog in the Chinese tradition
The Dog is considered one of the most loyal animals in every culture. In China it represents protection and companionship.
Traits
How it shows up
Characteristics
- Loyal
- Honest
- Protective
- Reliable
- Compassionate
Strengths
- Unconditional loyalty
- Honesty
- Protection
- Trust
- Empathy
Challenges
- Anxiety
- Cynicism
- Criticism
- Moral stubbornness
- Excessive worry
Dog years
Were you born in a Dog year?
The Chinese year starts with the Lunar New Year, between January 21 and February 21. If you were born in those weeks, check the exact day: your sign may be the previous one.
| Year | From | To | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Feb 14, 1934 | Feb 3, 1935 | Wood |
| 1946 | Feb 2, 1946 | Jan 21, 1947 | Fire |
| 1958 | Feb 18, 1958 | Feb 7, 1959 | Earth |
| 1970 | Feb 6, 1970 | Jan 26, 1971 | Metal |
| 1982 | Jan 25, 1982 | Feb 12, 1983 | Water |
| 1994 | Feb 10, 1994 | Jan 30, 1995 | Wood |
| 2006 | Jan 29, 2006 | Feb 17, 2007 | Fire |
| 2018 | Feb 16, 2018 | Feb 4, 2019 | Earth |
| 2030 | Feb 3, 2030 | Jan 22, 2031 | Metal |
The five elements
Five versions of the same sign
Every Dog is also born with one of five elements, which changes every two years. The table above shows which one belongs to each year.
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
What's your animal?
Calculate it from your date of birth, with the exact Chinese New Year cutoff, and see which countries, brands and people share your sign.
Keep in mind
The Dog in the zodiac is a cultural construction with no scientific basis.
The Chinese zodiac is an age-old belief system rooted in Chinese culture. Molino uses it as a tool for reflection and self-knowledge. The interpretations don't constitute scientific evidence, predictions or diagnoses. The calculations are deterministic and reproducible from the year of birth.