Introduction
The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with an animal sign. According to Chinese astrology, your birth year indicates your zodiac animal sign. Your sign is said to influence your personality traits, career, compatibility with others, and fortune in a given year.
There are 12 animal signs – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The animal ruling the year you were born is your sign. For example, if you were born in 1970, your zodiac sign is the Dog.
Every 12 years, the zodiac calendar resets and goes through the 12 animal signs again. The Year of the Dog comes around every 12 years. Let’s take a closer look at the Year of the Dog and what it means for birthdays and personalities.
The 12 Zodiac Animals
The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are:
- Rat
- Ox
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals on a rotating cycle. The animal cycle repeats every 12 years.
The Dog Year
In Chinese astrology, the dog is one of the 12 zodiac animals. The zodiac starts with the Rat and cycles through the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Each animal represents one year in the 12-year cycle of the lunar calendar, with the rat starting the cycle.
The dog appears every 12 years as the eleventh animal in the zodiac cycle. This means the years of the dog include 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, and will repeat again in 2030. The dog year follows the rooster and comes before the pig in the zodiac.
Those born in a year of the dog are believed to share common personality traits and attributes associated with canine qualities like loyalty, honesty and kindness. The dog occupies the 11th position in the Chinese zodiac after the rooster and before the pig.
When is the Year of the Dog?
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. The dog is one of the 12 zodiac animals and years of the dog occur every 12 years.
The most recent years of the dog were 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970 and so on. The next year of the dog will be 2022.
The Chinese New Year begins sometime between January 21 and February 20 each year. Therefore, 2022 will be the year of the dog beginning on February 1st, 2022 and lasting until January 21st, 2023 when the year of the pig starts.
Birthdays in a Dog Year
The Chinese zodiac assigns an animal sign to each year in a 12-year cycle. The dog is one of these 12 animal signs. So every 12 years is the year of the dog. This means that people born in a year of the dog have the dog as their zodiac animal sign.
For example, if you were born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 or 2018, you were born in a year of the dog. Your Chinese zodiac sign is the dog as a result.
The dog sign is also associated with specific personality traits, compatible signs, careers, and famous people. We’ll explore more about what it means to be born in a dog year in the following sections.
Personality Traits
The Dog is associated with particular personality traits according to the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Year of the Dog are known for being loyal, honest, reliable, courageous, lively, adaptable, smart and kind.
Dogs have a strong sense of loyalty and duty. They will do everything for the people they think of as their “pack.” Dogs are honest, friendly and sincere. They speak their minds and don’t hide things from their loved ones.
Dogs also tend to be courageous and energetic. They are always ready for adventure and action. At the same time, Dogs are smart and resourceful problem-solvers who can think on their feet.
Despite their bravery, Dogs have a soft side too. They are very kind and empathetic. Dogs care a lot about fairness and justice. They try their best to help others and do what is right.
Overall, Dogs have a mix of strengths that make them dependable friends as well as endearing underdogs you want to root for.
Compatible Signs
When it comes to relationships and friendships, the Dog is most compatible with the Rabbit and Tiger. Here’s a closer look at why these signs complement each other so well:
Rabbits share the Dog’s sincerity and empathy. This allows them to develop a deep bond built on trust and understanding. Rabbits also give Dogs the warmth and care they crave in a partnership.
Tigers have an adventurous streak that the loyal Dog will find appealing. Tigers are also very affectionate and protective, making Dogs feel secure. With open communication, these signs can build a passionate and dynamic relationship.
In contrast, the Dog’s direct nature may clash with the reserved Goat. The Goat prefers avoiding confrontation which the frank Dog sees as evasive. But with patience and work, these differences can be overcome in the long run.
Careers
According to Chinese astrology, those born in a Year of the Dog are thought to be loyal, responsible, and kind. They are believed to be natural communicators who work well with others. As such, there are several careers considered especially suitable for people born under this sign:
Counselor: The compassionate and intuitive nature of those born in a dog year makes them well-suited to being counselors, therapists, or social workers. Their ability to listen and provide advice makes them excellent in supporting roles.
Teacher: Teachers benefit from the dog’s patience and communication skills in working with students. Their dedication and principles enable them to be ethical role models.
Politician: The idealistic principles and determination of those born in dog years can aid them in leadership roles like politics. They have a strong sense of justice that drives them.
Creative careers: The imagination and loyalty of dogs makes them skilled in creative fields like writing, music, and art. They have a strong independent streak that fosters innovation.
Health care: Compassion is central to those born in dog years, making them well-suited to careers in health care, especially as doctors, nurses, dentists or psychiatrists. Their caring nature is a valuable asset.
Famous People Born in Dog Years
Many renowned celebrities and historical figures were born in a Year of the Dog. Here are some examples:
Winston Churchill – The legendary British prime minister who led the United Kingdom during World War II was born in 1874, a Dog year.
Madonna – Considered the “Queen of Pop”, Madonna is one of the most successful musical artists in history. She was born in 1958 under the sign of the Dog.
Michael Jackson – The “King of Pop” and legendary entertainer was born in 1958 during the Dog year. His album Thriller remains the bestselling album of all time.
Mother Teresa – The Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Catholic nun renowned for her missionary work in India was born in 1910 in the Year of the Dog.
Donald Trump – The controversial businessman and 45th president of the United States was born in 1946 under the Chinese zodiac sign of the Dog.
Bill Clinton – America’s 42nd president was born William Jefferson Clinton in 1946, also a Year of the Dog.
Conclusion
The Year of the Dog comes every 12 years in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Dog years are loyal, honest, kind, cautious, and responsible. People born in a Dog year make great leaders, counselors, and humanitarians. They are compatible with people born in the years of the Rabbit, Tiger, and Horse. Some famous people born in the year of the Dog include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Winston Churchill, and Mother Teresa. In summary, the Year of the Dog brings out people’s most noble qualities and is associated with idealism, justice, and service to others.