Vietnamese Zodiac & Elements: The Signs of 12 Animals

For Vietnamese, the zodiac of 12 animals is very important aspect of local culture, and it is closely tied to the lunar calendar (Moon Calendar). The Vietnamese zodiac name is similar to the zodiac of some other Asian countries, with calculator of 12 animal signs that represents the 12 year cycle of the lunar calendar. But in comparision to the Chinese Zodiac, Vietnamese Horoscope honor the cat instead of the rabbit, and the buffalo instead of the ox of the Chinese:

1. The Smart Zodiac of Rat: (Years - 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008,2020, 2032)

The Orient in general, has some common features. They share same animals that have dominated roles in their lives. One of them is mouse. Every where in the world, mice are considered pest to people, yet actually, it plays well its natural role as an animal in the food ring. To the land where agriculture plays the greatest role, mice are not only a kind of animal but a cultural sign. That’s why it stands at the first position of 12 zodiac signs.

Respected for its smartness and quick-witted, people with rat sign is imaginative and generous, especially with people on their same boat. You are working a “rat person”? Then do not spend a moment underestimating him or her. Maybe they appear with a dove-y look, yet inside they are calculating carefully every single step to win and conquer the rival to achieve their goal.

2. The Born Leader Zodiac of Buffalo: (Years - 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033)

This is one of the most different features between China and Vietnam zodiac culture. For Chinese, ox is considered extremely important in their agriculture life. Moreover, Chinese climate is more suitable for ox to fully function their ability. For Vietnamese, a buffalo is the greatest asset of a commoner, and even for a village mayor, his buffalo herd is the most important property to protect.

In ancient Vietnamese, the word Happiness contains in its many elements involving rice plant and rice field. For a small farming economy Vietnam possesses, it is easy to understand why buffalo is placed at the position of a cultural symbol. It does not only bring about rice but secure feeling for Vietnamese.

The “buffalo person” is supposed to be a firm characteristic with born leadership. However, a buffalo life way is rarely smooth but rather rough before achieving success at the end of a journey. If your buffalo partner seems too serious, do not worry since it is just the outer of an extremely warm heart that can be fully opened by a passionate lover.

3. The 'Power' Zodiac of Tiger: (Years - 1962; 1974; 1986; 1998; 2010; 2022)

Tiger is definitely a holy animal of Vietnam, where it is considered the king of forest. Mentioning Vietnam's territory with ¾ areas being mountain and forest, one can easily understand why the image of tiger is even integrated into pagoda's and temple's architecture in Vietnam, and thus becomes one of the holy deities of Vietnam belief.

Person with tiger sign is brave, smart and risky. He or she is expected to do unusual, and extraordinary, things and become extremely successful in life. However, as the strong one is often a black sheep one, some tigers confront many challenges from social bias, living very troubled lives. Tiger girls in Vietnam often have trouble in marriage since their personality is too strong, yet as mothers they consider children breeding the most serious thing in life. The way they protect and bring up their children is sometimes just overwhelming.

4. The fFlexible Zodiac of Cat: (Years - 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)

It is the same from the East to the West for dog and cat to be popular domestic pets. These two animals are loved by people all around the world (except those with an allergy), yet cat in Vietnam seems to be raised more widespread than dog. The very first reason for this difference is that cat is extremely useful for keeping rice from pests. Gradually, cat becomes more and more familiar with Vietnamese, sharing with them wealth and poverty, sorrow and happiness.

Cat person reflects the typical characteristics of cat, who is supposed to be tender but secretive. Cat person is courteous and sociable, yet always they keep for themselves a secret that makes them attractive. It is hard to tell whether cat people can be happy or unhappy in life since fate depends on many things else, yet definitely cat person is a mind of great depth.

5. The Holy Zodiac of Dragon: (Years - 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)

Wang Xu, the ancient famous scholar of China had said “Flooring a dragon? It’s impossible!”. Common knowledge of both Chinese and Vietnamese shows that dragon is an surreal animal, yet according to an ancient document of minor group Mường (Northwest of Vietnam) initially, dragon is a real animal which lived under the water and ate carrion. Dragon later was deified and becomes the most sacred among holy animals recognized by Oriental people.

Dragon people therefore are supposed to be born talented however arrogant and tactless. As placed at the position of king, their image are associated with at royal places such as palace and on king’s robe. It is said that dragon person never live poorly but would be wealthy or at least well-to-do. However, Wang Xu also said if a dragon one can balance between big things and small affairs, their life would be perfect.

6. The Lucky Zodiac of Snake: (Years - 1965; 1977; 1989; 2001; 2013; 2025)

Vietnam wet climate is definitely a prime land for snake to live. The interaction between snake and human and snake use for medicine have put snake in the important place of an animal that symbolizes a great part of Vietnam culture. While snake always appears dangerously, its venom and skin are very useful in medicine. Don’t you be surprised to see a snake person so lucky! That’s one of the most prominent features of snake sign. On the other hand, a snake one is extremely charming: once you are caught in love with a snake girl, you can hardly escape the relationship.

7. The Nomadic Zodiac of Horse: (Years - 1966; 1978; 1990; 2002; 2014; 2026)

Horse plays a prime role in transportation in Vietnamese society in the past. As road in this country did not well develop, horse is thee almost only choice for transportation, both in daily life and in army. With a country having ¾ mountainous and forestry area, horse is respected for its usefulness. It helps people trek across forest, climb up mountain and especially did very well its passenger role at the time mailing was limited by low-tech transportation.

Horse person as stated above is fated to move and move all their life. Staying at a same place is something unbearable for a horse one. This characteristic contributes to build an errant personality of horse sign. A horse man is often very generous, has a lot of friend and treats them like siblings. Horse person’s independence is another prominent characteristic. Besides, he is very confident, the feature that helps him achieve success in life.

8. The Dreamy Zodiac of Goat: (Years - 1967; 1979; 1991; 2003; 2015; 2027)

Born in the mountainous area, goat loves the airy atmosphere there and the thing that goat likes the most is grazing grass and sleeping dreaming in even day time. Poem maybe the best thing that a goat person may make since this kind of zodiac is believed to be the most dreamy one among the 12 zodiacs. When goat is thrown to the fierce life, he may feel life is unfair and despair completely.

However, if a goat person knows that dreaming is his both stronghold and weakness, he can apply it properly and become successful in some areas such as painting and performance arts.

9. The Cheerful Zodiac of Monkey: (Years - 1968; 1980; 1992; 2004; 2016; 2028)

A monkey person is the best one that can make you smile since he is cheerful from the bottom of his heart. As an animal closet to human, monkey is appreciated for its smartness and his desire for new things in life. A stay-the-same life could kill a monkey zodiac man and a cheerfully lively one on the other hand rouses him to the bone. How much can he achieve in life?

Actually, a monkey one can do well in many fields, but no matter how successful he can be, monkey one is satisfied with what he gets and rarely complaints about his life or compares himself with the more wealthy one. That is the core reason makes this zodiac sign a fully happy person.

10. The Self-righteous Zodiac of Rooster: (Years - 1969; 1981; 1993; 2005; 2017; 2029)

Rooster is an indispensable poultry, which gives human the most protein-dense nourishment. To Vietnamese, rooster is also a perfect alarm clock. Naturally, cock coos every two hours in the night, reminding people when to sleep and when to wake up for work. Vietnamese do not only put rooster among the important animals that govern human life but put it at a religious place as well. It is one of the indispensable offering at festivals, funeral repast or any occasion of worshiping.

All rooster men are believed to be cheeky, which may cause a lot of troubles for their lives. If a rooster is provoked by some one, he may not control himself anymore and bad things may happen. The rooster that can repair this weakness is expected to become extremely successful since naturally, he is good at many fields. Being stylish is one of the top concerns of roosters. You love a man of rooster sign, do not waste time complaining about his lavish time spent on standing in front of mirror. It’s his nature.

11. The Faithful Zodiac of Dog: (Years - 1970; 1982; 1994; 2006; 2018; 2030)

The same to cat, dog is a close friend to Vietnamese and they respect dog for its faithfulness. A dog person is secretive and you can feel free telling him your secrets that you mind not feel comfortable telling someone else.

However, the dog zodiac often worry without reason and this make her or him often nervous, peevish. If you are dating a dog girl or boy, don't rush yourself. She or he needs time to get used to with your presence and believe in you. Trust is of utmost importance to a dog sign holder and they need much time and effort to consolidate the trust. Vietnamese witness many dog zodiacs having troubles in relationship and marriage so they believe that dog zodiac groom should meet and bring the bride home twice to avoid marriage breaking in the future.

12. The Optimistic Zodiac of Pig: (Years - 1971; 1983; 1995; 2007; 2019;  2031)

Pig, after the buffalo, stands second in importance among Vietnam's animal in everyday life. The economic value it brings about is great and until now pork is the the most common meat types in Vietnamese's diets from mountain to delta region. Great pig role in Vietnam life makes an amazing zodiac that is always optimistic in any situation.

Pig person do not worry about things. Life is a lovely pink color and food attracts them the most. Pig person is known as a very unselfish one. You do something wrong to her or him, just come and tell them that you are sorry and things can get fixed quickly. With his natural honesty and sometime being over-optimistic, pig is believed not to be as successful as the other zodiacs. However, it does not matter much since pig sign holders often live in a pink world anyway.

Vietnamese Zodiac Age Compatibility:

• The 3 Best Match in Vietnamese Zodiac Compatibility:
  • Snake – Rooster – Buffalo
  • Monkey – Rat – Dragon
  • Tiger – Horse – Dog
  • Pig – Cat – Goat
• The 4 Worst Match in Vietnamese Zodiac Compatibility:
  • Tiger – Monkey – Snake – Pig
  • Dragon – Dog – Buffalo – Goat
  • Rat – Horse – Cat – Rooster

Although the foursome impulses in marriage and business cooperation, there are many ways to overcome it. But you have to study the principles of Purple Star Astrology.

Adventure Journey

See Also:

• Things to Know When Traveling in Vietnam during TET
• Meaning of Lucky Money Envelope for TET in Viet Nam
• Best Time to Travel to Viet Nam to Avoid Bad Weather
• The List of 10 Best Beaches for Your Viet Nam Holiday
• The List of 10 Best Places You Should Visit in Viet Nam
• The 10 Best Vietnamese Foods You Should Never Miss
• Viet Nam Mid Autumn Festival - All You Need to Know