Rat and Ox Compatibility
Rat and Ox form the 子–丑 Six Harmonies pair. Their branch match is favorable in this tradition, while the checker’s Water–Earth adjustment lowers the score to 86/100. The sections below explain this mixed symbolic reading for relationships and show the calculation.
Overall compatibility
86/100
Secret-friend match: Liu He, Six Harmony (六合)
Scores compare traditional branch relationships; they cannot measure whether a relationship will succeed.
Rat and Ox strengths
- The 子–丑 combination gives Rat–Ox a favorable branch reading even though the fixed elements are classed as controlling.
- Use the harmony theme to discuss how you can agree on decisions while keeping different habits.
Rat and Ox watch-out triggers
- The controlling Water–Earth relation introduces a tension theme in this simplified reading. It does not establish that either person is controlling.
- Discuss where each person wants independence and which decisions need agreement.
Love & Marriage
91/100
For love, Six Harmonies remains favorable alongside the controlling element relation used here. Discuss how decisions are shared, especially when your preferences differ.
Friendship
85/100
For friendship, the favorable branch match and controlling element relation give a mixed symbolic reading. Agree how to give advice while leaving room for the other person’s choices.
Business & Partnership
81/100
For work, this mixed reading can prompt a discussion about coordination and independence. Set decision boundaries explicitly; the elements cannot determine either person’s authority.
Comparing the two Six Harmonies pairs
Rat and Ox are 子 and 丑, another Six Harmonies pair. Here the fixed elements are Water and Earth. Earth controls Water, subtracting 2.1 points from each dimension. No Xing deduction applies.
Both pairs receive the same harmony adjustment. Their different totals come from the fixed-element adjustment, not evidence that one couple has better prospects.
Check the other Six Harmonies exampleHow this score is calculated
These numbers are our comparison scale, not probabilities or percentages from a classical text. Each dimension starts at 55. The table shows the adjustment for the selected branch relationship.
Selected rule: Liu He, Six Harmony (六合). Fixed-element relation: Controlling. Xing flag: No.
| Rule | Romance | Friendship | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liu He, Six Harmony (六合) | +38 | +32 | +28 |
Fixed animal elements add 8 (generating), 4 (same) or −6 (controlling), reduced to 35% for harmony, clash or harm relations. A Xing flag subtracts 10/8/12. Each score is rounded and limited to 15–98; the overall score is their rounded average.
| Rule | Romance | Friendship | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| Branch adjustment | 38 | 32 | 28 |
| Element adjustment | -2.1 | -2.1 | -2.1 |
| Xing adjustment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total before rounding | 90.9 | 84.9 | 80.9 |
| Rounded to the nearest integer | 91 | 85 | 81 |
| After the 15–98 limits | 91 | 85 | 81 |
Overall: (91 + 85 + 81) / 3 = 85.67. Rounded and limited to 15–98: 86/100.
The checker uses animal-associated elements, not the changing element of your birth year. Two signs in a San He group do not constitute a complete three-branch formation.
Traditional rules: San Ming Tong Hui, volume 2: 六合 / 三合 · 六害 · 刑 / 冲
Check your sign at the Chinese New Year or Li Chun boundaryAbout the Rat
People born in the Year of the Rat are clever, observant, and exceptionally resourceful. They adapt effortlessly to changing environments, guided by sharp instincts and an eye for opportunity. While prudent in new ventures, they are devoted and generous toward loved ones, with a natural talent for financial stewardship.
- Fixed Element
- Water
- Yin/Yang
- Yang
About the Ox
Those born in the Year of the Ox are dependable, industrious, and resolute. They approach life with steady patience and iron determination, preferring earnest action over fanfare. Their greatest strength lies in their methodical discipline and steadfast loyalty to their long-term commitments.
- Fixed Element
- Earth
- Yin/Yang
- Yin
Example birth year pairings
People born in these years belong to the Rat and Ox zodiac signs:
- 1996 (Rat) & 1997 (Ox)
- 2008 (Rat) & 2009 (Ox)
- 2020 (Rat) & 2021 (Ox)
- 2032 (Rat) & 2033 (Ox)
Related compatibility guides
Rat and Ox, Common Questions
Rat and Ox score 86/100 (Secret-friend match), rated Excellent match. Traditional Chinese astrology classifies their bond as Liu He, Six Harmony (六合).
The 子–丑 combination gives Rat–Ox a favorable branch reading even though the fixed elements are classed as controlling. Use the harmony theme to discuss how you can agree on decisions while keeping different habits.
The controlling Water–Earth relation introduces a tension theme in this simplified reading. It does not establish that either person is controlling. Discuss where each person wants independence and which decisions need agreement.
For friendship, the favorable branch match and controlling element relation give a mixed symbolic reading. Agree how to give advice while leaving room for the other person’s choices. The friendship calculation starts at 55, adds 32 for Six Harmonies and applies the fixed-element adjustment. We then round to the nearest integer and limit the result to 15–98. This pair receives 85/100 on our scale.
No. A score of 86/100 is not a 86% chance of a successful marriage. The classical source identifies branch relationships; this site assigns the numbers. Birth-year elements, month, day and hour pillars are outside this comparison.
We analyze the earthly branch relations between two signs, San He (trine alliance), Liu He (six harmony), Liu Chong (clash), Liu Hai (harm), and Xing (punishment), then adjust for the fixed five-element association of each animal. Romance, friendship, and business scores weight these factors differently.
Zodiac Guide
Click any animal to view detailed personality profiles, compatible signs, and verified year charts.
Scores compare traditional branch relationships; they cannot measure whether a relationship will succeed.