1970 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Metal Dog
庚戌 · 狗 Gǒu
1970 is the Year of the Metal Dog. The Chinese year ran from Feb 6, 1970 to Jan 26, 1971, so anyone born in that span is a Metal Dog. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 6, 1970, and earlier births belong to the Earth Rooster year.
- Dog
- Metal
- Yang
Born in 1970?
Enter your birth date to check, down to the exact Lunar New Year.
Month and day are optional. Add them if you were born in January or February. See January and February Chinese zodiac.
1970 at a Glance
- Animal
- Dog 狗 gǒu
- Element
- Metal
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 庚戌 · sound element 钗钏金
- Begins
- Friday, Feb 6, 1970
- Ends
- Jan 26, 1971
- Age in 2026
- 55 or 56
- Next Dog year
- 1982
1970 Metal Dog
A Chinese folk saying holds that a dog that wanders in brings good fortune (狗来富), which is why a stray turning up at the door was often welcomed. In tradition the Dog stands for loyalty and a safe home.
Lunar New Year 1970 fell on Feb 6, 1970; births before it are Earth Roosters. The year ended on Jan 26, 1971. Its year name 庚戌 carries the sound element 钗钏金, “hairpin and bracelet gold.” 1970 Dogs turn 56 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1970?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1970 was on Friday, Feb 6, 1970, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 5, 1970 | Earth Rooster | 己酉 |
| Feb 6, 1970 to Jan 26, 1971 | Metal Dog | 庚戌 |
So someone born on Feb 5, 1970 is an Earth Rooster, and someone born on Feb 6, 1970 is a Metal Dog. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Metal Dog?
A Metal Dog combines the Dog with the element of the birth year. 1970 ends in 0, which gives Metal. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Metal Dog years include 1910 and 2030.
How Old Is a 1970 Dog, and When Is the Next Dog Year?
Someone born in 1970 turns 56 in 2026 and 57 in 2027. The last Dog year was 1958, and the next is 1982. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Dog years a 1970 Dog lives through:
- 1970Metal DogBornThis page
- 1982 Chinese zodiacWater DogTurns 12
- 1994 Chinese zodiacWood DogTurns 24
- 2006 Chinese zodiacFire DogTurns 36
- 2018 Chinese zodiacEarth DogTurns 48
- 2030Metal DogTurns 60 · full cycle (花甲)
1970 Dog Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Dog's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 1970 Dog in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Dog to the next two years, and how old a 1970 Dog will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Supported
Turns 56. Link to the Horse: Trine partner (三合).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 57. Link to the Goat: Punishment (刑太岁), Break (破太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1970, and the other years of the decade.
- 1968 Chinese zodiacEarth MonkeyJan 30, 1968 to Feb 16, 1969
- 1969 Chinese zodiacEarth RoosterFeb 17, 1969 to Feb 5, 1970
- 1970Metal DogFeb 6, 1970 to Jan 26, 1971
- 1971 Chinese zodiacMetal PigJan 27, 1971 to Feb 14, 1972
- 1972 Chinese zodiacWater RatFeb 15, 1972 to Feb 2, 1973
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
19701971 Chinese zodiac1972 Chinese zodiac1973 Chinese zodiac1974 Chinese zodiac1975 Chinese zodiac1976 Chinese zodiac1977 Chinese zodiac1978 Chinese zodiac1979 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1970 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1970?
1970 is the Year of the Metal Dog. The Chinese year ran from Feb 6, 1970 to Jan 26, 1971.
What element is the 1970 Chinese zodiac?
Metal. A year's element follows its last digit: 0 gives Metal. The Dog's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1970?
Lunar New Year 1970 fell on Friday, Feb 6, 1970. Born from January 1 to Feb 5, 1970, you are an Earth Rooster. From Feb 6, 1970, you are a Metal Dog.
How old is someone born in 1970?
In 2026 they turn 56, or are 55 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 57. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Dog year after 1970?
1982, the Year of the Water Dog, begins on Jan 25, 1982.