2018 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Earth Dog
戊戌 · 狗 Gǒu
2018 is the Year of the Earth Dog. The Chinese year ran from Feb 16, 2018 to Feb 4, 2019, so anyone born in that span is an Earth Dog. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 16, 2018, and earlier births belong to the Fire Rooster year.
- Dog
- Earth
- Yang
Born in 2018?
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.
2018 at a Glance
- Animal
- Dog 狗 gǒu
- Element
- Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 戊戌 · sound element 平地木
- Begins
- Friday, Feb 16, 2018
- Ends
- Feb 4, 2019
- Age in 2026
- 7 or 8
- Next Dog year
- 2030
2018 Earth Dog: Grandparents’ Year Name
The year name 戊戌 last appeared in 1958, so a 2018 Dog was born in the year a 1958 grandparent turned 60. Both share the same Earth Dog sign.
Lunar New Year 2018 fell on Feb 16, 2018, and births before it are Fire Roosters. The year ended on Feb 4, 2019. 2018 Dogs turn 8 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 2018?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 2018 was on Friday, Feb 16, 2018, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 15, 2018 | Fire Rooster | 丁酉 |
| Feb 16, 2018 to Feb 4, 2019 | Earth Dog | 戊戌 |
So someone born on Feb 15, 2018 is a Fire Rooster, and someone born on Feb 16, 2018 is an Earth Dog. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is an Earth Dog?
An Earth Dog combines the Dog with the element of the birth year. 2018 ends in 8, which gives Earth. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Earth Dog years include 1958.
How Old Is a 2018 Dog, and When Is the Next Dog Year?
Someone born in 2018 turns 8 in 2026 and 9 in 2027. The last Dog year was 2006, and the next is 2030. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Dog years a 2018 Dog lives through:
- 2018Earth DogBornThis page
- 2030Metal DogTurns 12
2018 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 2018 Dog in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Dog to the next two years, and how old a 2018 Dog will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Supported
Turns 8. Link to the Horse: Trine partner (三合).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 9. Link to the Goat: Punishment (刑太岁), Break (破太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 2018, and the other years of the decade.
- 2016 Chinese zodiacFire MonkeyFeb 8, 2016 to Jan 27, 2017
- 2017 Chinese zodiacFire RoosterJan 28, 2017 to Feb 15, 2018
- 2018Earth DogFeb 16, 2018 to Feb 4, 2019
- 2019 Chinese zodiacEarth PigFeb 5, 2019 to Jan 24, 2020
- 2020 Chinese zodiacMetal RatJan 25, 2020 to Feb 11, 2021
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
2010 Chinese zodiac2011 Chinese zodiac2012 Chinese zodiac2013 Chinese zodiac2014 Chinese zodiac2015 Chinese zodiac2016 Chinese zodiac2017 Chinese zodiac20182019 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
2018 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 2018?
2018 is the Year of the Earth Dog. The Chinese year ran from Feb 16, 2018 to Feb 4, 2019.
What element is the 2018 Chinese zodiac?
Earth. A year's element follows its last digit: 8 gives Earth. The Dog's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 2018?
Lunar New Year 2018 fell on Friday, Feb 16, 2018. Born from January 1 to Feb 15, 2018, you are a Fire Rooster. From Feb 16, 2018, you are an Earth Dog.
How old is someone born in 2018?
In 2026 they turn 8, or are 7 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 9. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Dog year after 2018?
2030, the Year of the Metal Dog, begins on Feb 3, 2030.