Most people ask “are Rat and Dragon compatible” one pair at a time. This page collects the whole system into one chart so you can read any pairing at a glance.
The Chinese system does not score matches on a single line. It runs on four relationship types built from the earthly branches: the six harmonies (六合), the three harmonies (三合), the six clashes (六冲), and the six harms (六害). A good match usually sits in the first two. A rough one usually shows up in the last two.
The six harmonies (best one to one pairs)
These are the strongest pairwise bonds. If your sign and your partner’s sign appear here, tradition reads it as a natural fit.
- Rat and Ox
- Tiger and Pig
- Rabbit and Dog
- Dragon and Rooster
- Snake and Monkey
- Horse and Goat
The three harmonies (best groups of three)
These groups move well as a trio. Any two signs inside the same group are considered compatible.
- Rat, Dragon, Monkey
- Ox, Snake, Rooster
- Tiger, Horse, Dog
- Rabbit, Goat, Pig
The six clashes (the difficult pairs)
These pairs sit opposite each other on the branch wheel and are read as friction prone.
- Rat and Horse
- Ox and Goat
- Tiger and Monkey
- Rabbit and Rooster
- Dragon and Dog
- Snake and Pig
The six harms (secondary friction)
A weaker negative signal than the clashes, but worth noting if you already see other mismatch signs.
- Rat and Goat
- Ox and Horse
- Tiger and Snake
- Rabbit and Dragon
- Monkey and Pig
- Dog and Rooster
Simplified match matrix
Read the row sign against the column sign.
| Rat | Ox | Tiger | Rabbit | Dragon | Snake | Horse | Goat | Monkey | Rooster | Dog | Pig | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | - | best | ok | ok | good | ok | clash | harm | good | ok | ok | ok |
| Ox | best | - | ok | ok | ok | good | harm | clash | ok | good | ok | ok |
| Tiger | ok | ok | - | ok | ok | harm | good | ok | clash | ok | good | ok |
| Rabbit | ok | ok | ok | - | harm | ok | ok | good | ok | clash | ok | good |
| Dragon | good | ok | ok | harm | - | ok | ok | ok | good | ok | clash | ok |
| Snake | ok | good | harm | ok | ok | - | ok | ok | best | ok | ok | clash |
| Horse | clash | harm | good | ok | ok | ok | - | best | ok | ok | ok | ok |
| Goat | harm | clash | ok | good | ok | ok | best | - | ok | ok | ok | ok |
| Monkey | good | ok | clash | ok | good | best | ok | ok | - | ok | ok | harm |
| Rooster | ok | good | ok | clash | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | - | harm | good |
| Dog | ok | ok | good | ok | clash | ok | ok | ok | ok | harm | - | ok |
| Pig | ok | ok | ok | good | ok | clash | ok | ok | harm | good | ok | - |
best = six harmony or three harmony. clash = six clash. harm = six harm. ok = neutral, no strong signal either way.
Where the animal stops
The chart above is sign level only. Two Rats can still differ because of their elements (a Fire Rat and a Water Rat read differently), so a full reading also weighs the heavenly stem. The animal match is the coarse first pass, not the whole answer.
If you want the sign plus element version without doing the math, a free tool converts your birth year into the full pillar and shows your best matches after sharing, with the basic sign and element open on load: eastzodiacmatch.xyz/en/report/
FAQ
Does Chinese zodiac compatibility actually predict relationships?
No. It is a cultural matching framework, not a prediction. People use it as a conversation starter or a light compatibility lens, not as a decision maker for real relationships.
What is the best match for each sign?
Rat with Ox, Tiger with Pig, Rabbit with Dog, Dragon with Rooster, Snake with Monkey, Horse with Goat. These are the six harmonies, the strongest pairwise bonds in the system.
Can clashing signs still get along?
Yes. The clash is a tradition level signal about friction tendency, not a verdict. Many couples with clashing signs do fine, and element and personal factors matter more in real life.
Is the compatibility chart the same across China, Japan, and Korea?
The twelve animal signs and their branch relationships are shared across East Asia, so the chart is essentially the same. Local folklore adds small variations but the core pairs stay consistent.