What are the personalities of the 12 zodiac signs?
For Bhutanese, rituals and auspicious timing are part of daily life. When we want to achieve a certain goal, conducting the event at a certain auspicious timing renders us a higher chance of achieving the goal.
Although Buddhist astrology offers vast knowledge, it is an enigma and requires rigorous training to master the art. The philosophy of Buddhist Astrology was said to originate from Jam Pel Yang (The Buddha of Wisdom).
Bhutanese look to Buddhist astrology for all sorts of reasons from major events such as marriage and partner compatibility.
Interesting facts
- The 11th month of the Bhutanese Calendar is considered the first month of the new year.
- Saturday is considered to be the first day of the week according to Buddhist Astrology.
Akin to the Chinese and Tibetan cultures, Bhutanese have 12 zodiac signs represented by 12 animals.
The Twelve Animals
The twelve animals are believed to be the audience before Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana, according to an oral tradition. Each animal represents a certain month and year and 12 years is considered one cycle.
For the months, the animals are assigned as follows:
11th Month = Tiger
12th Month = Rabbit
1st Month = Dragon
2nd Month = Snake
3rd Month = Horse
4th Month = Sheep
5th Month = Monkey
6th Month = Bird
7th Month = Dog
8th Month = Pig
9th Month = Mouse
10th Month = Ox
The first month of the year in Buddhist Astrology starts from the 11th month which is also the Tiger Month.
However, we refer to our year of birth to determine our astrological sign instead of our month of birth.
Each animal has a different personality and compatibility with the other.
Caution: You should read the personalities with a pinch of salt as personalities are not cast in stone. Not all people born in the same animal year would have the same characters and traits mentioned. For example, the people born in the year of Rat will have different traits based on the different environments, demography and other factors. Aside from the animal sign, elements and other astrological factors also affect a person’s characteristics.
1st Animal: Rat
Personality: The people born in the rat year are quiet but friendly and loved by their friends. Some rats may also have the tendency to take things that do not belong to them like the real rats. Rats are kind and strong at heart. But they are not generous and they often miss the big opportunities by focusing on the small ones. They care for their families but they will have friends who will stop them from achieving their goals. Planned tasks don’t usually work well with them.
Compatibility:
Rat is compatible with Ox, Dragon, Snake, Monkey, Tiger, Dog and Pig.
Rat is not compatible with Rooster, Sheep and Horse.
Rat Year:
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
2nd Animal: Ox
Personality: People born in the Ox year prosper well because of their hard-working nature. They can be relied upon as they are fair and good listeners. When given a task, they will do it with utmost devotion towards completing it.
However, some Oxen are hard to change or influence. They are not so receptive to changes and less supportive due to their stubborn character. They often indulge themselves in wrongdoings and are mischievous.
Oxen are generally level headed due to their cool nature. They usually like to eat and sleep which sometimes impacts their work progress. Even though Oxen are honest and reliable, they can sometimes be a nuisance due to their stubborn and narrow-minded nature.
Compatibility:
Ox is most compatible with Rooster, Snake and Rat, and is moderately compatible with Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Pig, and Monkey.
Ox is not compatible with Sheep, Tiger and other Ox.
Ox Year:
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
3rd Animal: Tiger
Personality: Tigers are generally active people as they are intelligent and easy-going. They are mostly people-focused and personal matters are secondary to them. They trust people fully as well as reject the same.
However, some of them are rash at decision-making as they can be careless. They have quite a big ego, are suspicious and enjoy self-praises. Due to their rash behaviour, they are short-tempered and potentially have conflicts with others.
They are mostly thinkers and prefer spending time in gambling or engage in risky business. Although they are sporty, they do enjoy some quiet relaxing time and surprises.
Compatibility:
Tiger is compatible with Pig, Rat, Sheep, Rooster, Horse, Dog, Dragon and Rabbit.
Tiger is not compatible with Monkey, Snake and Ox people.
Tiger Year:
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
4th Animal: Rabbit
Rabbits have a good nature and are soft-spoken. Due to their independent nature, they are mostly self-sufficient. Since they are thrifty, they have a lot of resources. They are usually well-mannered.
They can also be cunning with their words and conceal their true feelings. They are tough mediators as they are hard to change when they have their goals set. Like the rabbit, they are fast and efficient in everything they do.
Rabbits are usually smart and they don’t fall for any scams. They can keep a cool head under tense situations and give good advice to their friends.
Compatibility:
Rabbit is compatible with Sheep, Pig, Dog, Rat, Monkey, Ox, Dragon, and Snake.
Rabbit is not compatible with Tiger, Horse and Rooster.
Rabbit Year:
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
5th Animal: Dragon
Personality: Dragon is a mythical creature for Bhutan. They often signify prosperity and power. People born in the Dragon year are energetic and active. They are a bit of a perfectionist and getting along with Dragon is difficult as they expect you to deliver the same perfection.
Dragons usually signify wealth and some dragons can be intimidating.
But they are also willing to help others by casting aside everything else. They are always respectful and supportive. Although some Dragons might be lazy in doing work yet they never fail to finish it. Overall they are good at heart.
Compatibility:
Dragon is compatible with Rat, Monkey, Snake, Tiger, Rooster, Horse, Rabbit, Sheep and Pig.
Dragon is not compatible with Ox and Dog.
Dragon Year:
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
6th Animal: Snake
Personality: People born in the snake year are deep thinkers and they have a liking for food and material things. They are often reclusive, persistent and not open to other people as they rely more on themselves.
They are often self-sufficient and they do not like to gamble or waste money. They are fast learners and can learn anything quickly. However, when faced with insufficiency, they become immersed in earning and in that case, they become misers.
Snakes can sometimes have trouble controlling their anger which leads to their difficulty in managing people. However, they have a fixed plan in their head and move accordingly. They also have great sense of humour.
Compatibility:
Snake is compatible with Ox, Dragon, Rat, Rabbit, Rooster, Sheep, Snake and Dog.
Snake is not compatible with Tiger, Horse, Monkey, and Pig.
Snake Year:
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
7th Animal: Horse
Personality: In the Bhutanese context, the horse is considered a symbol of luck and victory. Even while hoisting prayer flags, there are wind horses on the prayer flags which is said to carry our prayers everywhere. A white horse is considered an auspicious omen.
People born in the Horse year are considered powerful. They have perseverance and are committed to any work they do. During the earlier years, they have a lot of energy.
They are cheerful and witty. They are so generous that sometimes people take advantage of them. Horses are so fun-loving that they will search for fun in partners too. But Horses can also be short-tempered and they may jump to conclusions quickly.
Horses do not have a normal schedule due to their carefree and fun-loving nature. They can also lose interest while doing things. They look forward to doing crazy wild things.
Compatibility:
Horse is compatible with Tiger, Dog, Sheep, Dragon, Snake, Monkey and Horse.
Horse is not compatible with Rat, Rabbit, Rooster and Ox.
Horse Year:
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
8th Animal: Sheep
Personality: People born in the year of Sheep are honest, calm and shy like the sheep. They can empathise with others but can be emotional sometimes. They have strong determination but they are not so straightforward so they tend to beat around the bush.
One has to lure them to gain their trust. Their kind nature will also bring them luck. Sheep are usually late with the submission of their assignments. They can sometimes lack gratitude for others' help.
They seek love and affection from their partners. For that, they will need reliable people to depend upon for a comfortable life with lots of luck.
Compatibility:
Sheep is compatible with Horse, Tiger, Rabbit, Monkey, Dragon, Rooster, Snake and Sheep.
The Sheep is not compatible with Rat, Dog, and Ox.
Sheep Year:
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
9th Animal: Monkey
Personality: People born in the Monkey year are usually successful with a little confrontation of minor challenges. They have a lot of expertise in many areas and are very dexterous. Even though they are tricky in nature, you cannot dislike them.
They are usually smart and talkative and can solve herculean problems. But due to their lack of respect for others, they can be selfish. They are competitive due to their jealousy of others' achievements.
Compatibility:
Monkey is compatible with Rat, Dragon, Rabbit, Sheep, Dog, Horse, Ox, Pig and Rooster.
Monkey is not compatible with Snake and Tiger.
Monkey Year:
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
10th Animal: Rooster
Personality: People born in the Rooster year are attractive in terms of their personality and looks. They can be either extremely talkative or rather quiet personalities. They are mostly clean, organised, yet both of them are difficult to deal with.
They are proud, ambitious and would go to any length to achieve their goals. They are committed to their work. They also love being in the spotlight. Even though they squander their money, they are able to handle their accounts.
Roosters can give advice but they cannot take advice. And they can take praise but not criticism.
Compatibility:
Rooster is compatible with Ox, Snake, Dragon, Tiger, Sheep, Monkey and Pig.
Rooster is not compatible with Rooster, Horse, Rat, Dog, and Rabbit.
Rooster Year:
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
11th Animal: Dog
Personality: People born in the Dog year are liked by everyone. They are trustworthy and loyal to everyone. They help everyone and will put their friendship over everything else. They are understanding and are friendly in nature.
They are good to people to the point where people take advantage of them. But some Dogs can be the opposite of gentle. They can be an enemy to one if they are pushed too far.
The people born in the Dog year are fair and just. They help others when they are in a better position in terms of everything. They are usually born to rich families. Although they are pessimistic and face problems, they persevere and can withstand it.
Compatibility:
Dog is compatible with Horse, Rabbit, Tiger, Mouse, Snake, Monkey, Pig and Dog.
Dog is not compatible with Rooster, Dragon and Sheep.
Dog Year:
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
12th Animal: Pig
Personality: People born in the Pig year are usually lazy but are good at heart. They are simple and truthful, often associated with courage. They are also committed to their work and do them with utmost dedication.
They live in peace with others. Since they are peaceful, people will love being associated with them. They are also good at social work. With their pleasant nature, they do not need to search for good friends. They have to be careful of people who will take advantage of them.
They take whatever they lay their hands on. Since they spend lavishly, they are not good with accounts. They love sharing things with other people.
Compatibility:
Pig is compatible with Rabbit, Sheep, Tiger, Rat, Ox, Dragon, Horse, Bird, Monkey and Dog.
Pig is not compatible with Snake and Pig.
Pig Year:
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Compatibility Table
