Year of the Pig
Generous, sincere, easygoing. Years, personality, love, work and compatibility of the Pig.
The Pig is the twelfth and last sign. In Chinese culture the pig stands for prosperity, generosity and good fortune, and Pig years are traditionally considered a time for enjoying life.
Quick answer. You are a Pig if you were born in 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043 or any other year in the cycle (every 12 years), from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next one. The latest Pig year began on 5 February 2019 and ended on 24 January 2020.
| Order in the zodiac | 12 of 12 |
| Earthly branch | Hai |
| Own element and polarity | Water, yin |
| Recent years | 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043 |
| Harmonious with | Rabbit, Goat, Tiger |
| Challenging with | Snake, Monkey |
| Lucky numbers (traditional) | 2, 5, 8 |
| Lucky colours (traditional) | yellow, gray, brown, gold |
Find your Chinese zodiac sign
Pig years: are you a Pig?
You are a Pig if you were born in a Pig year, from its Chinese New Year to the day before the next. Recent Pig years are 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043. The table lists every Pig year from 1900 to 2100 with its exact dates. A January or early February birthday often belongs to the previous animal: Chinese New Year in 2019 was on 5 February 2019, for instance, so anyone born earlier that January was a Dog.
| Year | Sign | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | Metal Pig | 30 January 1911 | 17 February 1912 |
| 1923 | Water Pig | 16 February 1923 | 4 February 1924 |
| 1935 | Wood Pig | 4 February 1935 | 23 January 1936 |
| 1947 | Fire Pig | 22 January 1947 | 9 February 1948 |
| 1959 | Earth Pig | 8 February 1959 | 27 January 1960 |
| 1971 | Metal Pig | 27 January 1971 | 14 February 1972 |
| 1983 | Water Pig | 13 February 1983 | 1 February 1984 |
| 1995 | Wood Pig | 31 January 1995 | 18 February 1996 |
| 2007 | Fire Pig | 18 February 2007 | 6 February 2008 |
| 2019 | Earth Pig | 5 February 2019 | 24 January 2020 |
| 2031 | Metal Pig | 23 January 2031 | 10 February 2032 |
| 2043 | Water Pig | 10 February 2043 | 29 January 2044 |
| 2055 | Wood Pig | 28 January 2055 | 14 February 2056 |
| 2067 | Fire Pig | 14 February 2067 | 2 February 2068 |
| 2079 | Earth Pig | 2 February 2079 | 21 January 2080 |
| 2091 | Metal Pig | 18 February 2091 | 6 February 2092 |
Check a birth year
Pig age chart for 2027
How old are people born in Pig years in 2027? The age depends on the birthday, so each row gives two ages: the lower one if the birthday in 2027 has not yet come, and the higher one after it.
| Year | Sign | Chinese year | Age in 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Fire Pig | 22 January 1947 – 9 February 1948 | 79 or 80 |
| 1959 | Earth Pig | 8 February 1959 – 27 January 1960 | 67 or 68 |
| 1971 | Metal Pig | 27 January 1971 – 14 February 1972 | 55 or 56 |
| 1983 | Water Pig | 13 February 1983 – 1 February 1984 | 43 or 44 |
| 1995 | Wood Pig | 31 January 1995 – 18 February 1996 | 31 or 32 |
| 2007 | Fire Pig | 18 February 2007 – 6 February 2008 | 19 or 20 |
| 2019 | Earth Pig | 5 February 2019 – 24 January 2020 | 7 or 8 |
The legend of the Pig
In the Great Race, the Pig is said to have stopped to eat and sleep along the way, arriving last. Some tellings use this to explain the Pig's love of comfort, and its contented, easygoing nature.
Pig personality
Pigs are traditionally described as generous, sincere and good-natured. They enjoy food, comfort and company, are patient and hate conflict. They are also described as trusting, which can make them easy to take advantage of.
Strengths
- Generosity and kindness
- Sincerity and honesty
- Optimism and good humour
- Patience
- Hard work when motivated
Weaknesses
- Naivety and over-trust
- Indulgence
- Avoiding confrontation
- Taking on too much for others
Pig at home and in the family
At home the Pig is described as a warm, generous host who loves good food and a comfortable house. Pig parents are thought to be affectionate and easygoing, and to give their children plenty of freedom.
Pig as a friend
As a friend the Pig is sincere, generous and good-humoured. Tradition says Pigs make friends easily and are trusting, and that they sometimes need a friend who will warn them about people who take advantage.
Pig in love and relationships
In love, the Pig is described as warm, loyal and generous. It wants a comfortable home and an honest partner. The usual friction is over-giving, which can lead to disappointment if the partner does not return it. Tradition suggests partners who are kind and who appreciate generosity.
Pig career and work style
Traditional descriptions place the Pig in careers that involve people and enjoyment: hospitality, healthcare, teaching, the arts, retail and charity. Pigs are said to be lucky with money and to enjoy spending it on others.
In a team the Pig is described as the hardworking, reliable and easy-going colleague who keeps the mood good. It works best in a friendly environment and can avoid confrontation.
Pig and money
Pigs are traditionally seen as lucky with money and generous with it, enjoying the good things in life. Folklore suggests keeping a reserve and being careful about lending.
Pig under stress
Under stress a Pig is said to over-indulge, withdraw or take on too much for others. Good company, rest and honest limits are the traditional suggestions.
Advice for the Pig
The traditional advice for a Pig is to ask for what it needs, to be a little more careful about whom it trusts and to say no kindly.
Pig compatibility
In the traditional system the Pig is harmonious with Rabbit, Goat (its trine) and with Tiger, its secret friend. Its opposite sign, which tradition calls a clash, is the Snake, and the Monkey forms a harm pair with it. Every other pairing has no special relationship. These are conversation starters and not predictions.
| Sign | With the Pig | What tradition says |
|---|---|---|
| 🐀 Rat | No special relationship | No classical link. The Pig’s generous and the Rat’s quick-witted meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐂 Ox | No special relationship | No classical link. The Pig’s generous and the Ox’s diligent meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐅 Tiger | Secret friend | Secret friends. The Pig’s generous is balanced by the Tiger’s brave, a bond described as close and complementary. |
| 🐇 Rabbit | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Pig’s generous goes well with the Rabbit’s gentle, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
| 🐉 Dragon | No special relationship | No classical link. The Pig’s generous and the Dragon’s ambitious meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐍 Snake | Clash: opposite sign | Opposite signs. The Pig’s generous meets the Snake’s wise, which attracts and irritates in equal measure. |
| 🐎 Horse | No special relationship | No classical link. The Pig’s generous and the Horse’s energetic meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐐 Goat | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Pig’s generous goes well with the Goat’s gentle, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
| 🐒 Monkey | Harm pair | A harm pair. The Pig’s generous and the Monkey’s clever can misread each other, so honesty and patience matter. |
| 🐓 Rooster | No special relationship | No classical link. The Pig’s generous and the Rooster’s observant meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐕 Dog | No special relationship | No classical link. The Pig’s generous and the Dog’s loyal meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐖 Pig | Same sign | Two Pigs share the same strengths and the same blind spots, so they understand each other quickly and can also repeat each other’s habits. |
Compare two Chinese zodiac signs
The five kinds of Pig
The element of the year adds a second layer to the animal. Wood is described as growth and creativity, Fire as passion and leadership, Earth as stability, Metal as discipline and Water as adaptability. Here are the Pig years of each element, with how tradition describes each kind. Read more in our guide to the Chinese zodiac elements.
| Sign | Years (1900–2100) | Described as |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Pig | 1935, 1995, 2055 | The Wood Pig is described as the most generous and sociable Pig, creative, easygoing and a natural peacemaker. |
| Fire Pig | 1947, 2007, 2067 | The Fire Pig is described as more energetic and outgoing, passionate and bold, with a lively sense of fun. |
| Earth Pig | 1959, 2019, 2079 | The Earth Pig is described as steady and practical, hardworking and good with money, the most grounded Pig. |
| Metal Pig | 1911, 1971, 2031, 2091 | The Metal Pig is described as more determined and independent, with a gentle manner and an unexpectedly firm will. |
| Water Pig | 1923, 1983, 2043 | The Water Pig is described as intuitive and compassionate, a kind and perceptive Pig who adapts easily. |
Famous people born in Pig years
Based on publicly reported dates of birth, and using the exact Chinese New Year of each birth year, these well-known people belong to the Pig: Elon Musk (28 June 1971); Elton John (25 March 1947); Timothée Chalamet (27 December 1995). Whether the sign says anything about them is a matter of interpretation.
The Pig in 2027, the Year of the Fire Goat
The Pig shares a trine with the Goat, one of the groups of three signs that tradition calls harmonious. A Goat year is therefore described as supportive for the Pig, a year when cooperation, shared plans and help from friends come more easily. This is folklore, not a forecast. See the Chinese New Year 2027 page for every sign.
Lucky numbers and colours
One commonly quoted list gives the lucky numbers 2, 5, 8 and the lucky colours yellow, gray, brown, gold for the Pig. Such lists differ between sources and belong to popular folklore, not to any fixed rule.
The neighbouring signs
The Dog comes before the Pig and the Rat comes after it. See all twelve in our guide to the Chinese zodiac.
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Pig years?
Recent Pig years are 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043. Each one runs from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next. For example, the 2019 Pig year runs from 5 February 2019 to 24 January 2020. See the years chart for every date.
Am I a Pig if I was born in January or February?
Only if your birthday is on or after that year’s Chinese New Year. For example, Chinese New Year in 2019 was on 5 February 2019, so a person born on 10 January 2019 belongs to the previous animal, the Dog, and not to the Pig.
What is the personality of the Pig?
Generous, sincere, easygoing. Pigs are traditionally described as generous, sincere and good-natured. They enjoy food, comfort and company, are patient and hate conflict. They are also described as trusting, which can make them easy to take advantage of.
What are the Pig’s strengths?
Generosity and kindness; Sincerity and honesty; Optimism and good humour; Patience; Hard work when motivated.
What are the Pig’s weaknesses?
Naivety and over-trust; Indulgence; Avoiding confrontation; Taking on too much for others. Every sign has both strengths and weaknesses in this tradition.
What are the best careers for the Pig?
Traditional descriptions place the Pig in careers that involve people and enjoyment: hospitality, healthcare, teaching, the arts, retail and charity. Pigs are said to be lucky with money and to enjoy spending it on others.
How does the Pig behave in love?
In love, the Pig is described as warm, loyal and generous. It wants a comfortable home and an honest partner. The usual friction is over-giving, which can lead to disappointment if the partner does not return it. Tradition suggests partners who are kind and who appreciate generosity.
Which signs are compatible with the Pig?
Traditionally the Pig is harmonious with Rabbit, Goat and Tiger, and challenging with Snake and Monkey. See the full compatibility chart.
What is the Pig’s element?
The Pig is a Water animal and a yin sign. Each year also has its own element, so Pig years can be Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. The table on this page lists them all.
How old is a Pig in 2027?
People born in 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983 turn 8, 20, 32, 44 in 2027, and are one year younger until their birthday. The table on this page gives the ages for every Pig year since 1940.
Which animal comes before and after the Pig?
The Dog comes before the Pig and the Rat comes after it.
What are the Pig’s lucky numbers and colours?
One commonly quoted list gives the numbers 2, 5, 8 and the colours yellow, gray, brown, gold. Such lists differ between sources and belong to folklore.
Other signs
For culture and entertainment. The Chinese zodiac is a traditional system of folklore and symbolism. It cannot predict events, and it is not medical, financial, legal or relationship advice. See the full disclaimer.