The Tiger: A Wood Sign

The Tiger sign is of the Wood element. Generally, Wood bestows an expansive, open characteristic to people born under this element. They find it easy to get along well with others, especially in a group context and bring good, energising vibes to any situation. They are compassionate people, who look for ways to help others and bring justice.

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The Metal Tiger – 1950, 2010

Be prepared to steer clear of the Metal Tiger once he’s got his mind set on something. This very independent character isn’t likely to listen to what you have to say and will charge headfirst into his passions and goals. He is highly competitive and very confident (perhaps too much) and can tend to overstretch his expectations, becoming easily impatient if they aren’t fulfilled as he wants them to be. That said, they can also be very hard workers who are able to maintain a high level of energy to get the job done… so long as and only if it’s something they believe in.

The Metal element also makes him quite inflexible – once he’s set his mind on something, it’ll be a challenge to get him to think otherwise or accept another point of view. He might also be prone to acting impulsively and unconventionally – he’ll need to be careful he doesn’t also offend people along the way.

He has a great deal of ambition, but quite unlike the other Tigers, this one is focused more on his own interests and less on the interests of the greater good. He’s much more into himself and accomplishing what he wants (or thinks he wants), whether it upsets others or not.

Life Lessons:

Metal Tigers need to learn to think a little less of themselves and a little more of the larger picture and the environment around them. They could do with slowing down a little, taking into consideration the effect that their sometimes rash actions could have on others.

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The Water Tiger – 1902, 1962, 2022

This exceptionally intelligent Tiger works fast, plays hard and finds it easy to be successful in everything they get into. The Water element also makes him good at managing inter-personal relationships – he is intuitive, sensitive and empathetic to others, able to tune into the subtlest nuances and changes around him. He will excel especially in anything that involves working closely with people – such as in service and hospitality lines, media, teaching or counseling.

The Water Tiger is also an excellent speaker, able to enroll many people to his cause and to support his ideals, usually for the betterment of the world. With both good communication skills and sensitivity, he is able to achieve his aims and at the same time, be a good role model and friend for people in need. Most relationships with a Water Tiger are likely to be mutually beneficial ones.

The gentle but persistent water element also ensures that this hardy Tiger isn’t one to give up easily. He’ll keep at his goals with steadiness and precision, taking care to make the best decisions based on intelligent, careful observation and analysis.

Life Lessons:

Water Tigers should not let their sensitivity to others’ feelings affect them negatively. Instead, they should harness this ability to work with and lead others more effectively. They must also not confuse being sensitive with being emotional, and be wary of not reacting too quickly or rashly towards others.

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The Wood Tiger – 1914, 1974

All Tigers are able to rally people to action and the Wood Tiger is no less able to enlist many supporters and friends to achieve his goals. However, this is one of the more moderate Tigers who approaches situations and people with a practical, level-headed and sociable approach.

The Wood Tiger would work very well in large cooperations and as a team, being a good mediator who stands up to bullies and stands up for those who are weaker. This is someone who is always willing to look for the best in others and not likely to be easily swayed into thinking badly of others. This makes him a great person to be around but also one who may be easily taken advantage of. He is also creative, able to initiative positive changes around him while establishing strong friendships that will help him achieve these ends.

This Tiger is also a very sociable one, able to juggle many social groups as well as personal interests, activities and work. Life is always exciting around this Tiger who will always look for new ways to change the world around him, and always for the better. His only large failing is perhaps his lack of discipline, which makes it difficult for him to keep track of everything he first started off with a big passionate bang.

Life Lessons:

The Wood Tiger should make the most of his talents and creativity by instilling a stronger sense of discipline in all he does. He needs to be firmer, both in his decisions and in his relations with people so that he does not get tricked nor distracted from his goals.

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The Fire Tiger – 1926, 1986

Full of energy the Fire Tiger will never fail to make an impression wherever he goes. He is very independent and highly capable, leaving an indelible mark on anything he gets his paws on. Because of his strong capabilities, the Fire Tiger likes a good challenge – bring it on, he declares, he will show you how it’s done. He is quick in his reflexes and ability to absorb information, making him both a good learner and a good worker who can execute directions excellently and efficiently.

Fire Tigers are also very expressive – they’ll make sure their voices are heard. They have extremely high ideals and are very righteous. Be sure not to wrong them for they won’t back down until justice prevails. Whatever they have set their mind on, they will pursue to its fullest. The Fire Tiger has tremendous energy and will achieve everything with huge will-power and an unwavering determination. He knows his stand very well and he is probably faster and sharper than most of his opponents.

Be well prepared if you enter into any argument or oppose this Tiger for you’ll more than likely be at the losing end. It won’t be easy to tell him he can’t do something; he won’t ever take no for an answer nor be easily discouraged from his goals. This trait can also make the Fire Tiger quite arrogant and very impetuous; with his forceful nature, he won’t think twice about pummeling his way forward based entirely on what he alone has decided.

Life Lessons:

While the Fire Tiger is very capable, intelligent and fast, he needs to temper his impulsiveness and act with more consideration for others; if not, he risks offending people and losing friends. He should also learn to hear the opinions of others and be more sympathetic – not everyone can be as capable as him!

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The Earth Tiger – 1938, 1998

The Earth Tiger is very self-confident and he has every right to be so. He has both the power of the root Tiger sign as well as the realistic, sensible maturity of the Earth element. He makes decisions based on a thorough consideration of all factors and how feasible something is. He isn’t likely to be carried off by fanciful ideas or impulsive decisions that sound nice but are difficult to execute. He is very capable for his ability to work hard and with great discipline – a lot can be accomplished if you are working with an Earth Tiger.

This Tiger is very intelligent – all the more so because he not only has the ability to absorb a lot of knowledge but is also very capable of applying it to bring out the best results and returns. A realist at heart, he is more likely to stick with what he knows and make it grow, than to be distracted by new ventures and interests. As with all Tigers, he will love power, authority and recognition; he will also like a good fight, especially on behalf of the underdog.

However, he will be more careful about acquiring these things, preferring to work his way to the top with careful strategy and diligence. More than anything, the Earth Tiger is very kind and will always have the interests of friends and loved ones at the heart of all he does. He has a naturally altruistic nature, as most Tigers do, and a desire to be helpful to others.

Life Lessons:

Though the Earth Tiger is more sensible in his approach to things, he can still have the tendency to become quite arrogant, especially if he is very focused on only what he wants to achieve. He has to be more aware of developing a good balance in his work, relationships, social life and life goals.

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