Earth Tiger Chinese Zodiac
土虎 tǔ hǔ
An Earth Tiger was born in a Tiger year ending in 8 or 9: 1938, 1998 and 2058. Earth slows the Tiger down in a useful way. The Earth Tiger is described as practical and steady, willing to think before leaping and aiming its drive at goals it can reach.
- Earth
- Tiger
- Yang
Earth Tiger at a Glance
- Years
- 1938, 1998 and 2058
- Year element
- Earth 土 (years ending in 8 or 9)
- Tiger's own element
- Wood
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 戊寅
- Next Earth Tiger year
- 2058
The Earth Tiger Thinks Before It Leaps
Tigers act on instinct. The Earth Tiger, in tradition, takes a beat first, aiming its courage at goals it can actually reach, which makes it the Tiger most often trusted to run things.
The 1998 Earth Tigers are Gen Z and turn 28 in 2026. The 1938 Earth Tigers, Silent Generation, turn 88.
Which Years Are Earth Tiger Years?
The most recent Earth Tiger year began on Jan 28, 1998 and ended on Feb 15, 1999; the next comes in 2058. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Jan 31, 1938 | Feb 18, 1939 | 戊寅 | 城头土 | 87 or 88 |
| 1998 Chinese zodiac | Jan 28, 1998 | Feb 15, 1999 | 戊寅 | 城头土 | 27 or 28 |
| 2058 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Earth Tiger Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Earth Tiger
- Practical
- Steady
- Determined
Challenges of the Earth Tiger
- Stubborn
- Cautious about change
- Territorial
Earth Tiger in Love and at Work
In Love
Protective and dependable, with a warm, grounded affection.
At Work
Effective in management, project leadership and building a business.
The Five Kinds of Tiger
The Tiger's own element is always Wood; the birth year adds the second. For the Earth Tiger, Wood restrains Earth, so the Tiger holds the year's element in check.
| Type | Years | With the Tiger's Wood |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1914, 1974, 2034, 2094 | Doubled |
| Fire Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1926, 1986, 2046 | Wood feeds Fire |
| Earth Tiger | 1938, 1998, 2058 | Wood restrains Earth |
| Metal Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1950, 2010, 2070 | Metal restrains Wood |
| Water Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1902, 1962, 2022, 2082 | Water feeds Wood |
Earth Tiger Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Horse, Dog and Pig for the Tiger, and the Monkey is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Supported
Link to the Horse: Trine partner (三合).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
Other Earth Signs
All twelve animals have a Earth year. Each is a different mix.
- Earth Rat Chinese zodiac1948, 2008
- Earth Ox Chinese zodiac1949, 2009
- Earth Rabbit Chinese zodiac1939, 1999
- Earth Dragon Chinese zodiac1928, 1988
- Earth Snake Chinese zodiac1929, 1989
- Earth Horse Chinese zodiac1918, 1978
- Earth Goat Chinese zodiac1919, 1979
- Earth Monkey Chinese zodiac1968, 2028
- Earth Rooster Chinese zodiac1969, 2029
- Earth Dog Chinese zodiac1958, 2018
- Earth Pig Chinese zodiac1959, 2019
Earth Tiger Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is an Earth Tiger?
An Earth Tiger is someone born in a Tiger year that ends in 8 or 9. Earth Tiger years include 1938, 1998 and 2058. Tradition describes the Earth Tiger as practical, steady and determined.
What years are Earth Tiger years?
1938, 1998 and 2058. The 1998 year ran from Jan 28, 1998 to Feb 15, 1999.
Is the Tiger a Earth sign?
The Tiger's own element is Wood, which never changes. Earth is the element of the birth year, so a Earth Tiger carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Earth Tiger?
The most recent Earth Tiger years are 1938 and 1998. In 2026 someone born in 1998 turns 28.
When is the next Earth Tiger year?
2058. Tiger years return every 12 years and each element every 60.