The Pig in the Chinese zodiac
The Pig closes the Chinese zodiac cycle with a kind attitude toward life. It is generous, sincere and enjoys simple pleasures: a good meal, good company, well-earned rest. It tends to think well of people, which is why it is usually liked in any group.
That same trust can leave it exposed, and its dislike of conflict sometimes leads it to stay silent about what it should say. The element of the birth year defines how much firmness, intuition or energy is added to its natural goodness, which is why each Pig is lived differently.
Birth years by element
If you were born in January or early February, check the date of Chinese New Year that year: your animal may be the one from the previous year.
Strengths / Challenges
Strengths
- Genuine generosity
- Good heart
- Enjoyment of life
Challenges
- Too trusting of those who don't deserve it
- Avoids important conflicts
Wood Pig
Character
The Wood Pig is the most creative and generous. It has a natural vocation for helping and contributing to the well-being of others. It is sociable, optimistic and very open, though it may commit to more than it can deliver.
Love and relationships
It is affectionate, attentive and very loyal. It enjoys making its partner feel good. Its challenge is not to give itself unconditionally to someone who does not respond in kind.
Work
It does well in hospitality, education, health, art, events and community work. It performs in warm, collaborative settings. It helps to learn to say no to excessive requests.
Fire Pig
Character
Fire gives the Pig energy, enthusiasm and a more noticeable presence. It is expressive, passionate and greatly enjoys social life. It can be impulsive with money or with emotions, and finds it hard to hold back.
Love and relationships
It is romantic, enthusiastic and generous. It lives love intensely. It sometimes gives itself too quickly, and it helps to give itself time to get to know the other person.
Work
It excels in sales, food and dining, entertainment, tourism, team leadership and social ventures. It spreads good spirits. It must watch its finances and the limits of its commitments.
Earth Pig
Character
The Earth Pig is the steadiest and most practical. It keeps the generosity but with a sense of measure and an ability to save. It is patient, loyal and very reliable, and usually enjoys a comfortable, well-kept home.
Love and relationships
It is faithful, affectionate and focused on building a shared life. It shows love through deeds. It sometimes settles into routine so much that it is hard to move it toward something new.
Work
It works well in administration, commerce, food service, real estate, agriculture and services. It builds slowly and on firm foundations. Over the years it usually reaches a very stable situation.
Metal Pig
Character
Metal gives the Pig character and determination. It is still generous but with firmer standards and less naivety. It has clear goals and can be stubborn when something truly matters to it.
Love and relationships
It is loyal and committed, somewhat more reserved than other pigs. It can be proud when it comes to apologizing. It values honesty and consistency in a partner.
Work
It stands out in finance, law, medicine, engineering, management and technical roles where integrity is valued. Its challenge is not to take criticism as a personal attack.
Water Pig
Character
The Water Pig is the most sensitive and intuitive. It connects with the emotions of others and has an enormous capacity for empathy. It is kind and reflective, though it can be indecisive and easily influenced by its surroundings.
Love and relationships
It is tender, understanding and very devoted. It looks for a deep, emotionally warm union. Its weak point is avoiding difficult topics, which end up piling up.
Work
It develops well in psychology, therapy, art, writing, advisory work, hospitality and caregiving jobs. It prefers calm environments and working relationships built on trust.
Compatibility
The Pig usually gets along well with the Rabbit, the Goat and the Tiger. With the Rabbit it shares warmth and sensitivity; with the Goat, a taste for the simple and the beautiful; with the Tiger, generosity and enthusiasm. Tradition points to friction with the Snake, because of very different views of life. These are general tendencies, not a rule for every couple.
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