Year of the Rabbit tattoo
The Chinese zodiac Rabbit is 兔 (tù). It is the fourth of the twelve animals, and people born in Rabbit years are gentle, elegant and kind.
tù
The Rabbit · Chinese zodiac
What 兔 means.
兔 means rabbit or hare. In Chinese legend the Jade Rabbit lives on the moon with the goddess Chang'e.
- Character
- 兔rabbit, hare
- Traditional
- Written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese
- Born in
- 属兔“born in the year of the Rabbit”
- Year branch
- 卯the Earthly Branch of Rabbit years
- Fixed element
- Wood 木
Years of the Rabbit
- 1939Earth Rabbit
- 1951Metal Rabbit
- 1963Water Rabbit
- 1975Wood Rabbit
- 1987Fire Rabbit
- 1999Earth Rabbit
- 2011Metal Rabbit
- 2023Water Rabbit
- 2035Wood Rabbit
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 Rabbit shares a “three harmonies” group with the Goat and the Pig, the signs that bring the Rabbit luck. Its opposite in the cycle is the Rooster, its classic clash. A full reading compares whole charts, not just signs.
About the Rabbit in Chinese
What is the Chinese character for the Rabbit?
The zodiac Rabbit is 兔 (tù), meaning rabbit, hare. It is written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese.
Which years are Rabbit years?
1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 and 2035. 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 Rabbit” in Chinese?
属兔 (shǔ tù). 属 means “to belong to”, so 我属兔 (wǒ shǔ tù) is how a Chinese speaker says “I was born in the year of the Rabbit”.
Which signs go well with the Rabbit?
The Rabbit shares a “three harmonies” group with the Goat and the Pig, the signs that bring it luck. Its opposite in the cycle is the Rooster, its classic clash. A full reading compares whole charts, not just signs.
What element is the Rabbit?
The Rabbit's year branch, 卯 (mǎo), belongs to Wood. Each Rabbit year also has its own element from the year's last digit: 2023 was a Water Rabbit. Your personal element in Chinese astrology comes from your full birth chart, which the free element calculator works out.
Is 兔 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes. 兔 is the real character Chinese speakers use for the Rabbit, and as a single character it works even at small sizes. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.