Chinese Zodiac Five Elements Preferences and Taboos Table

1. Personal Fortune Inquiry
By entering one’s birth year, month, day, and hour, the following can be generated:

BaZi Natal Chart: Analyzes the strength of the Five Elements (Wu Xing), and offers insights into career and marriage.

Annual Luck Forecast: For example, in 2025 (Yi Si Year – Year of the Snake), those born under the Monkey sign benefit from the “Si-Shen Combination” indicating help from benefactors; those under the Pig sign face the “Si-Hai Clash,” indicating potential change or instability.

2. Folk Custom Applications

Marriage Matching: Check for compatible zodiac combinations such as the “Three Harmonies” (e.g., Rat, Dragon, Monkey) or “Six Harmonies” (e.g., Rat and Ox).

Name Selection: Choose names that balance the Five Elements. For example, if the Water element is lacking, use characters with the “氵” water radical.

Choosing Auspicious Dates for Events: Such as opening a business or moving house. For example, those born under the Horse sign may choose a day ruled by the Tiger or Dog (signs in harmony).

3. Taoist Practices Reference

Ritual Timing: For example, those born under the Rooster sign should recite the Beidou Sutra during “Si Hour” (Snake Hour), as Rooster, Snake, and Ox form a Three Harmony group.

Talisman Activation: Zodiac talismans should be updated on Lichun (Beginning of Spring), as this is considered the zodiac turnover point.

1. Based on Spring Festival (Lunar New Year's Day)
This is the most widely accepted method in modern times and is the official and mainstream standard. The zodiac sign changes on Lunar New Year's Day (the first day of the first lunar month).
For example, a child born after January 22, 2023 (Lunar New Year) is considered a Rabbit; one born the day before is still a Tiger.

2. Based on Lichun (Beginning of Spring)
Some traditional metaphysical systems (e.g., BaZi, Zi Wei Dou Shu) and folklorists believe the zodiac should follow the Ganzhi calendar and use Lichun as the dividing line.
For instance, in 2023, Lichun fell on February 4. Those born before this date are considered Tigers, while those born after are Rabbits.
This viewpoint holds that Lichun, the first of the 24 solar terms, marks the true energetic beginning of the new year.

Official Usage (e.g., ID cards, household registration) typically follows the Spring Festival system for administrative simplicity.

Metaphysical Fields (e.g., fortune-telling, feng shui) often adhere to the Lichun-based system, emphasizing its alignment with astronomical seasons.

On Xuanxudao.com, the zodiac is calculated based on Lichun, to assist our masters in making accurate assessments.