Vietnamese zodiac elements play a crucial role in the culture and are intricately linked to the lunar calendar. Similar to other Asian countries, the Vietnamese zodiac consists of 12 animal signs, representing the 12-year cycle of the lunar calendar. When Vietnamese people inquire about someone’s age, they may receive an answer such as “I am a buffalo” instead of a numerical age like 21, 22, or 34. This is because an individual’s zodiac sign holds significant importance in Vietnam, as it can determine the course of their life.
In the following article, let’s discover what Vietnamese zodiac elements are, their origin, and their meanings in Vietnamese culture.
What are Vietnamese Zodiac Elements?
Vietnam Zodiac can help to predict one person’s astrology based on their date of birth. It is divided into 12 different elements, in accordance with 12 animals over a round of 12 years.
1. The Rat Sign
The Orient shares certain characteristics, including the role of animals in their daily lives. One such animal is the mouse. In lands where agriculture is paramount, mice are not only animals but also cultural symbols. Thus, the mouse occupies the first position among the 12 zodiac elements, revered for its intelligence and resourcefulness. People born under the rat sign are imaginative and generous. If you work with a “rat person,” do not underestimate them, as they may appear innocent but are calculating every step to achieve their goals and conquer their rivals. The Rat zodiac includes those born in 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and 2020.
The Rat Sign
2. The Buffalo
In Vietnam, the buffalo is the most valuable asset for the common people, and even for a village leader, their herd of buffalo is the most important asset to protect. Since Vietnam has a small agricultural economy, it is easy to see why the buffalo is considered a cultural symbol. It not only provides rice but also brings a sense of security to the Vietnamese people.
The buffalo symbolizes diligence and patience. People born in this year have steady but slow progress, with strong personalities and natural leadership skills. They are calm and very determined but stubborn. However, the path of life is rarely smooth and often requires overcoming obstacles to achieve success. If your buffalo partner seems too serious, do not worry because they possess an extremely warm heart that can be fully opened by a passionate lover. People born in the year of the Ox include the years 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 and 2021.
The Ox Sign
3. The Tiger Sign
In Vietnam, the tiger is revered as a sacred animal and is considered the king of the jungle. The image of the tiger is even incorporated into the architecture of pagodas and temples, making the tiger a sacred deity in Vietnamese beliefs.
People born under the zodiac sign of the tiger are known to be brave, intelligent and daring. They are expected to accomplish extraordinary things and achieve great success in life. People born under the year of the tiger are often quick to anger and lack of stance, but they can be very gentle and adapt their personality to the situation. Women born under the year of the tiger in Vietnam may have difficulty finding a suitable partner due to their strong personalities. However, they value motherhood and prioritize raising and protecting their children, sometimes to the point of being overwhelmed. The year of the tiger includes the years of birth 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022,…
The Tiger Sign
4. The Cat Sign
People born under the Cat zodiac sign tend to have similar characteristics to cats, such as being gentle yet mysterious. They are friendly and sociable, but they still maintain a certain air of mystery around them, which adds to their charm. Cats represent people who are soft-spoken, talented, ambitious, and will succeed in their studies. People born under the Cat zodiac sign are flexible, patient, and know how to wait for the right moment before acting. However, people born under the Cat zodiac sign are often deep thinkers with countless thoughts and emotions inside. People born in the year of the cat are 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 and 2023.
The Cat Sign
5. The Dragon
In both Chinese and Vietnamese cultures, the dragon is a mystical creature. Over time, the dragon was revered and became the most revered sacred animal in the East. People born in the year of the Dragon are said to be naturally talented but can also be arrogant and insensitive. People born in the year of the Dragon are honest, energetic but very hot-tempered and stubborn.
As a symbol of royalty, the image of the dragon is often associated with the palace and the king’s robes. It is believed that people born in the year of the Dragon will never live in poverty and will at least be financially comfortable. If a Dragon person can find a balance between his great ambition and life, he can achieve true perfection. People born in the year of the Dragon are 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024.
The Dragon Sign
6. The Snake
The snake symbolizes the eternal evolution of age and succession, decay and the succession of generations of mankind. It is no wonder that people born under the sign of the snake are often lucky. This is one of the most notable characteristics of the snake zodiac. Snake people are calm, gentle, thoughtful and sympathetic but sometimes they also get angry. They are very determined and stubborn. In addition, people born under the sign of the snake are often extremely charming. If you fall in love with a snake girl, it may be difficult for you to escape this relationship. Snake people were born in 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013.
The Snake Sign
7. The Horse Sign
People born under the Horse zodiac sign are destined to be constantly on the move. Staying in one place is unbearable for Horses, contributing to their restless, wandering nature. Horses value their independence and their self-confidence helps them achieve success in life. People born under the Horse sign are usually soft-spoken, easy-going and generous. Therefore, they are easily liked by many people, but they rarely listen to advice and often have a very hot temper. This age is often considered to be pure, noble and wise. People born under this age are often respected for their intelligence, strength and love for people. Horses born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014.
The Horse Sign
8. The Goat Sign
The Goat, born in the mountains, loves fresh and airy air, and its favorite pastime is to graze and daydream while sleeping, even during the day. People born in the year of the Goat are usually calm but shy, very modest but not opinionated. They are very awkward but very sympathetic to those in need and often help people. When faced with the harsh realities of life, people born in the year of the Goat may feel disillusioned and overwhelmed. However, if they realize that daydreaming is both their strength and weakness, they can use it to achieve success in areas such as painting and performing arts. The Goat includes those born in 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 and 2015.
The Goat Sign
9. The Monkey
Being an animal very similar to humans, monkeys are highly regarded for their intelligence and eagerness to experience new things in life. People born under the sign of the monkey have a cheerful and lively personality, which can easily make you smile. They are very talented and skillful in money transactions, curious and full of ideas, but they talk too much and are easily looked down upon and despised by others. Their weakness lies in their erratic and inconsistent temperament.
People born under the year of the monkey can excel in many areas, but they are satisfied with what they have achieved and rarely complain about their lives or compare themselves to richer people. This is what makes people born under this zodiac sign truly happy. The Monkey includes those born in 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016.
The Monkey Sign
10. The Rooster
In Vietnamese culture, the rooster holds great significance as it is considered one of the guardians of human life and is used in religious ceremonies. The Year of the Rooster represents a period of hard work and diligence as the rooster is busy from morning till night. Its crest is a sign of extreme intelligence and scholarly wisdom. People born in the Year of the Rooster are considered to be deep thinkers, often making a living through small businesses, working as hard as “a rooster scratching the ground for worms”.
People born in the Year of the Rooster are often known for their mischievous nature, which can lead to trouble in their lives. They can struggle to control themselves when provoked, but those who can overcome this weakness are expected to excel in many areas. People born in the Year of the Rooster also prioritize their appearance and style, so don’t be surprised if you see them spending a lot of time in front of the mirror – it’s just part of their nature. The Rooster includes those born in 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 and 2017.
The Rooster Sign
11. The Dog Sign
Similar to cats, dogs are close friends of the Vietnamese, and they respect dogs for their loyalty. A person born under the dog zodiac is known to be trustworthy and can be trusted with secrets that one might not feel comfortable sharing with others. However, they often worry unnecessarily, which makes them stressed and irritable. Trust is important to people born under the dog zodiac, and it takes time and effort to build.
Vietnamese culture has seen many dog zodiacs struggle in relationships and marriages, so it is believed that a dog zodiac groom should meet and bring the bride home twice to avoid any future marital problems. People born under the dog zodiac include those born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018.
The Dog Sign
12. The Pig Sign
Pigs tend to be carefree, seeing life as a beautiful, rosy existence where food is a top priority. They are known for their forgiving nature and are quick to forgive if someone apologizes for any wrongdoing. Pigs are generous, gallant, kind and brave but often stubborn, hot-tempered but diligent and good listeners. Because of their honest and overly optimistic nature, Pigs may not achieve as much success as other zodiac signs. However, this does not bother them much, as they tend to live in their own happy, rosy world. People born under the pig zodiac include those born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019.
The Pig Sign
Legend of Vietnamese Zodiac Elements
Are you wondering why these animals are arranged in this order? It is explained in an interesting legend when the Goddess King wanted to determine the time. He organized a race with the participation of all animals and the 12 first across the river would be named in the zodiac system.
The rat got up very early and started at sunrise; however, it was too small to swim well. So, it asked Buffalo to help. When they nearly reach the other side of the river, the Rat jumped off and was the first winner. The Buffalo came second and the Tiger came third. The Cat was also small and jumped to the fourth position only. The 5th place belonged to the Dragon. Wonder why? It could fly straight across the river to be the winner but it stopped to help others.
The Snake crawled over the Horse to take the 6th position and the Horse came 7th. The Goat, Monkey, and Rooster got together on a raft and crossed the water stream. Upon arrival, they decided to give Goat the 8th, Monkey the 9th, and Rooster the 10th. The next position was Dog, who swam well but was playing in the river. And, the final position belonged to Pig, who stopped to eat and slept along the way.
Legend of Vietnamese Zodiac Elements
Related Superstition in Vietnamese Zodiac Elements
Age Compatibility
Vietnamese astrology plays an important role in determining auspicious dates and times for important life events, such as weddings, funerals, groundbreakings, and openings of new stores. Compatibility is an important aspect, especially when it comes to relationships, friendships, and business partnerships. Some zodiac signs are considered compatible, while others may clash, depending on their inherent characteristics and related elements. According to the principles of feng shui, people born four years apart are usually compatible, but those born six years apart may not be compatible.
Beliefs in the compatibility of these zodiac signs influence activities such as business and the decision to marry. It is believed that when a couple gets married at the right age, their marriage will be peaceful, happy, and prosperous. By understanding these relationships, Vietnamese people wish to promote harmony and success in both personal and professional spheres. To determine which age groups are appropriate, please refer to the picture below:
Age Compatibility in Vietnam Astrology
Fortune Predictions
Vietnam has twelve zodiac animals, which means your year of the zodiac will repeat at the ages of 12, 24, 36, 48 and so on. Ancient superstition says that you may have bad luck in these years and advises you to not do great things. Instead, you should do charity and help other people to avoid bad luck. Another way is to wear a Feng Shui item that is compatible with your age. However, people born in the same year still have a different destiny, depending on their date of birth in the Lunar calendar.
Zodiac in Modern Vietnamese Culture
Despite the influence of modernity, the Vietnamese zodiac remains deeply rooted in contemporary life. It plays a prominent role during Tet, or Lunar New Year when families gather to welcome the new animal with decorations, stories and predictions for the coming year. The zodiac also influences popular culture, with horoscopes and zodiac-themed gifts becoming increasingly popular among the younger generation. Many Vietnamese still consult their zodiac for guidance when making life decisions, such as choosing a career, marriage or making a major purchase. This long-standing tradition bridges the past and present, preserving a sense of cultural identity and continuity in a rapidly changing world.
How to Calculate Zodiac Ages in Vietnam
To determine your complete zodiac age in Vietnamese astrology, there are two important factors to consider. Firstly, your age is calculated based on your lunar birth year, which can be a year earlier than your solar birth year if you were born in January or February.
Secondly, even if you and your nephew were born in the same Ox year, let’s say in 1985 and 1997 respectively, your complete zodiac ages would be different because each year in Vietnamese astrology is not only associated with an animal sign but also an element that precedes it. For instance, the year 1985 is known as the At Suu (At Ox) year, while 1997 is the Dinh Ty (Dinh Tiger) year.
In Vietnamese society, the Can-Chi system, which combines the Heavenly Stems (Canh, Tan, Nham, Quy, Giap, At, Binh, Dinh, Mau, Ky) and Earthly Branches (Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig), is used to name the years. The combination of these two sets of symbols creates a cycle known as the Sexagenary cycle, which lasts for 60 years.
In conclusion, Vietnamese zodiac elements play a significant role in Vietnamese astrology and folk religion, representing the diverse traits and attributes of individuals through its 12 animals. Each year is associated with an animal, and each animal has its own unique set of characteristics that are believed to influence a person’s personality, behavior, and fate. Hope this piece of information has helped you understand more about this cultural aspect of Vietnam. And, if you have any queries or concerns regarding the Vietnamese Zodiac elements, feel free to leave a comment or contact us now.
“Great insight into the Vietnamese zodiac and its connection to elements! The detailed explanations of each sign and their meanings are fascinating. Loved how the article blends tradition and culture!
Dear Astrologer Devanand,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed the deep dive into the Vietnamese zodiac and how it connects to the elements. It’s always fascinating to see how culture and tradition intertwine in these symbols. If there’s any particular sign or aspect you’d like to explore further, feel free to let us know!