The Metal Element
One of the five elements of the Chinese zodiac, keyed to the last digit of your birth year.
Metal is the element of autumn, structure and resolve. A Metal year sharpens focus and independence: a Metal animal knows what it wants and pursues it directly, sometimes at the cost of flexibility.
People described as determined, disciplined and self-reliant carry the Metal influence. It sharpens and hardens whichever animal it lands on, producing the most exacting and self-reliant version of that sign. A Metal year comes every 10 years but a Metal-plus-a-given-animal combination only once every 60.
Metal years (1930–2044)
1930 1931 1940 1941 1950 1951 1960 1961 1970 1971 1980 1981 1990 1991 2000 2001 2010 2011 2020 2021 2030 2031 2040 2041
The Metal element with each animal
- Metal Rat — 1960, 2020
- Metal Ox — 1961, 2021
- Metal Tiger — 1950, 2010
- Metal Rabbit — 1951, 2011
- Metal Dragon — 1940, 2000
- Metal Snake — 1941, 2001
- Metal Horse — 1930, 1990
- Metal Goat — 1931, 1991
- Metal Monkey — 1980, 2040
- Metal Rooster — 1981, 2041
- Metal Dog — 1970, 2030
- Metal Pig — 1971, 2031
Frequently asked questions
What years are Metal years in the Chinese zodiac?
Metal years are those ending in 0 or 1. In the modern range that means 1930, 1931, 1940, 1941, 1950, 1951, 1960, 1961, 1970, 1971 and so on.
What does the Metal element mean?
Metal is the element of autumn, structure and resolve. A Metal year sharpens focus and independence: a Metal animal knows what it wants and pursues it directly, sometimes at the cost of flexibility.
Is Metal a lucky element?
No element is luckier than another. Each shapes an animal differently — Metal makes a sign the most exacting and self-reliant version of itself.