Year of the Pig tattoo
The Chinese zodiac Pig is 猪 (zhū), written 豬 in traditional characters. It is the twelfth of the twelve animals, and people born in Pig years are generous, easy-going and sincere.
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The Pig · Chinese zodiac
What 猪 means.
The pig stands for plenty and an easy, comfortable life.
- Character
- 猪pig
- Traditional
- 豬used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and classical calligraphy
- Born in
- 属猪“born in the year of the Pig”
- Year branch
- 亥the Earthly Branch of Pig years
- Fixed element
- Water 水
Before you tattoo it: In everyday speech 猪 is also a teasing word for someone lazy or silly. As a zodiac sign it is friendly, and 属猪 (shǔ zhū, “born in the year of the Pig”) makes that meaning clear.
Years of the Pig
- 1947Fire Pig
- 1959Earth Pig
- 1971Metal Pig
- 1983Water Pig
- 1995Wood Pig
- 2007Fire Pig
- 2019Earth Pig
- 2031Metal Pig
- 2043Water Pig
In everyday use the animal changes at Chinese New Year, between 21 January and 20 February; Chinese astrology changes it at the start of spring, around 4 February. If you were born in January or early February, your sign may be the previous year's animal; the Chinese element calculator works it out from your exact birth date.
Lucky matches and clashes
The Pig shares a “three harmonies” group with the Rabbit and the Goat, the signs that bring the Pig luck. Its opposite in the cycle is the Snake, its classic clash. A full reading compares whole charts, not just signs.
About the Pig in Chinese
What is the Chinese character for the Pig?
The zodiac Pig is 猪 (zhū), meaning pig. In traditional Chinese it is written 豬; both forms are correct.
Which years are Pig years?
1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 and 2043. In everyday use each year begins at Chinese New Year (between 21 January and 20 February), and in Chinese astrology at the start of spring (around 4 February), so a birthday in January or early February may belong to the previous sign.
How do you say “born in the year of the Pig” in Chinese?
属猪 (shǔ zhū). 属 means “to belong to”, so 我属猪 (wǒ shǔ zhū) is how a Chinese speaker says “I was born in the year of the Pig”.
Which signs go well with the Pig?
The Pig shares a “three harmonies” group with the Rabbit and the Goat, the signs that bring it luck. Its opposite in the cycle is the Snake, its classic clash. A full reading compares whole charts, not just signs.
What element is the Pig?
The Pig's year branch, 亥 (hài), belongs to Water. Each Pig year also has its own element from the year's last digit: 2019 was a Earth Pig. Your personal element in Chinese astrology comes from your full birth chart, which the free element calculator works out.
Is 猪 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, with one thing to know. In everyday speech 猪 is also a teasing word for someone lazy or silly. As a zodiac sign it is friendly, and 属猪 (shǔ zhū, “born in the year of the Pig”) makes that meaning clear. Traditional 豬 has more strokes and suits a larger piece. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.