2018 Marks the Year of the Dog, Here's What It Means for You

If your zodiac sign is the dog, you are said to be loyal, popular, and anxious—and this might be your unlucky year.

Friday, February 16, 2018 kicked off another Chinese New Year. Anyone born in the years 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 is a dog according to Chinese tradition.

The Chinese calendar runs on a 60-year cycle based off 12 animal zodiac signs and five elements of nature. An animal and element are chronologically paired with each Chinese new year.

Similar to many actual canines, humans with the zodiac dog sign are are seen as the fun of the party but with undertones of anxiety and worry. Zodiac dogs are reliable and wise, often turned to for advice or a listening ear.

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dogs

Men who are born into a dog year are said to be full of bouncy energy but also harboring a lot of internal negative energy. They don't beat around the bush but instead are blunt and authentic. While they can be stubborn, these men want peace in the family so they will work toward compromise.

Women born into a dog year are wary to trust others but when they instill trust in someone, it's for life. They also tend to be guardians of close loved ones. These women are kind-hearted trail-blazers seeking both adventure and success.

People born in the year of the dog are said to be most compatible with people born in the year of rabbits, tigers, and horses and least compatible with dragons, oxen, and goats.

chinese new year

Each zodiac sign is paired with a list of lucky and unlucky numbers, colors, minerals and cardinal directions leading toward wealth, love, and success.

Because zodiac dogs are said to be loyal and reasonable, their career paths often include lawyers and interviewers. Stress from the workplace can cause health problems in later years in dogs, so exercise is important.

When it's your zodiac year, it's generally an unlucky year filled with danger and misfortune. Zodiac dogs are said to expect work hurdles that might result in financial struggles and put a strain on proper communication with loved ones.

frenchie

However, some months are thought to be more successful than others in 2018 for the dogs according to the Lunar calendar. Lunar March (April 16-May 14), Lunar April (May 15-June 13), Lunar September (Oct 9-Nov 7) and December could be fortuitous. Beware tax season in Lunar February (March 17-April 15), May, Lunar August (Sept 30-Oct 8) and Lunar October (Nov 8-Dec 6).

The Chinese tradition recommends dogs keep a low profile this year so as not to attract attention in the wrong way—but also don't shy away from opportunity.

zodiac sign

Here is a list of all of the zodiac signs based on a person's year of birth:

The Rat: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 

The Ox: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 

The Tiger: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 

The Rabbit: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 

The Dragon: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 

The Snake: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 

The Horse: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 

The Sheep: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 

The Monkey: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 

The Rooster: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

The Dog: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

The Pig: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

If you're a tiger, horse, monkey, rabbit or rooster, don't hesitate to team up together as this could be the year for you! But dragons beware! You are said to clash with dogs as fellow leaders, so you're advised to lie low this year and wear something red every day to ward off bad fortune. Rabbits, 2018 is also a year of fertility, so be careful what you wish for.

All in all, if you're a dog, 2018 should be your "say yes to everything" year. Try new things, take leaps of faith, and go for it despite any struggles you might face. If you don't keep your eye on the prize, the Chinese believe you'll miss out on what awaits you.

Read more of to expect for the year of the dog in the Chinese New Year in 2018.

Last year was the year of the rooster. Next year is the year of the pig. What will that mean for you?

Is your zodiac sign a dog? Tell us how you relate to your zodiac sign in the comments below!

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