The 12 Chinese Zodiac Enemy Signs: Decoding The Six Conflicts (Liu Chong) And Six Damages (Liu Hai)

Diving deep into the world of Chinese astrology reveals more than just lucky numbers and annual fortunes; it uncovers the intricate web of compatibility and conflict that governs relationships. As of December 12, 2025, the ancient wisdom of the 12 Earthly Branches (Shi Er Di Zhi) remains the ultimate guide to understanding which signs are destined for harmony and which are considered "enemy signs"—a concept far more nuanced than a simple personality clash. This comprehensive guide breaks down the two primary forms of non-compatibility: the direct, opposing energy of the Six Conflicts (Liu Chong) and the subtle, insidious friction of the Six Damages (Liu Hai).

Understanding these conflicting pairs is crucial, not just for romantic relationships but for business partnerships, family dynamics, and even anticipating your personal fortune during an "enemy year." These are not merely suggestions for "worst matches," but deeply rooted astrological principles that explain the fundamental differences in values, direction, and elemental energy between the animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Decoding the Six Conflicts (Liu Chong): The Direct Opposites

The Six Conflicts (Liu Chong, 六冲) represent a direct, head-on opposition in the zodiac wheel. These pairs stand 180 degrees apart, symbolizing a fundamental clash of energy, direction, and core life values. When these signs meet, the interaction is often characterized by intense disagreements, forced separation, or a constant struggle for dominance. This is the most recognized form of Chinese zodiac incompatibility.

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• Rat (Zi) vs. Horse (Wu): The Clash of Freedom vs. Security

The Rat is a creature of the night, valuing security, family, and a stable home life. Conversely, the Horse is a creature of the day, a free spirit who craves independence, travel, and the open road. This fundamental difference in values is the root of their conflict. The Horse sees the Rat as possessive and limiting, while the Rat views the Horse as irresponsible and demanding, leading to frequent disagreements over commitment and lifestyle.

• Ox (Chou) vs. Goat (Wei): The Battle of Pragmatism vs. Emotion

Both the Ox and the Goat belong to the Earth element, which, paradoxically, causes a clash of stubbornness. The Ox is pragmatic, disciplined, and traditional, valuing hard work and clear rules. The Goat, on the other hand, is creative, emotional, and kind, seeking comfort and artistic expression. The Ox cannot tolerate the Goat's need for emotional drama and perceived lack of discipline, while the Goat finds the Ox cold and unyielding. This is a battle of two different types of Earth energy.

• Tiger (Yin) vs. Monkey (Shen): The Conflict of Will vs. Wit

The Tiger is a powerful, strong-willed, and ambitious leader who acts on instinct and passion. The Monkey is smart, shrewd, and an intellectual strategist who relies on cunning and flexibility. This is a classic conflict where the Tiger's brute force and ego are constantly undermined by the Monkey's clever tricks and refusal to follow orders. Astrologers sometimes call this the "emotional clash" due to the high-stakes, volatile nature of their interactions.

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• Rabbit (Mao) vs. Rooster (You): The Friction of Diplomacy vs. Perfectionism

The Rabbit is diplomatic, gentle, and seeks peace and emotional fulfillment in life. The Rooster is a perfectionist, meticulous, and focused on material success and outward appearance. The Rooster's critical nature and need for order clashes with the Rabbit's desire for a calm, easy-going life. The Rooster sees the Rabbit as too soft, and the Rabbit finds the Rooster too harsh and judgmental.

• Dragon (Chen) vs. Dog (Xu): The Opposition of Idealism vs. Reality

The Dragon is a charismatic, ambitious idealist who thrives on freedom and grand visions. The Dog is a loyal, realistic, and sometimes cynical creature who demands cooperation and loyalty above all else. Both are proud and willful, but their core beliefs are opposed: the Dragon seeks glory, while the Dog seeks justice and security. Their clash is an elemental conflict between two Earth Branches (Chen-Xu conflict) that simply cannot find common ground.

• Snake (Si) vs. Pig (Hai): The Struggle of Secrecy vs. Openness

The Snake is mysterious, intuitive, and secretive, preferring to keep their plans and emotions hidden. The Pig is honest, direct, and trusting, valuing simplicity and straightforwardness. The Pig and Snake struggle with trust issues; the Snake finds the Pig too naive and lacking in mystery, while the Pig finds the Snake too manipulative and hard to read. Their relationship is often a cycle of suspicion and misunderstanding.

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The Six Damages (Liu Hai): Subtle, Insidious Harm

The Six Damages (Liu Hai, 六害) represent a more subtle, yet equally destructive, form of incompatibility. While the Six Conflicts are direct and obvious, the Six Damages are insidious, often causing hidden friction that slowly erodes a relationship or damages a person's luck and fortune (hence the term "harming groups"). These pairs are generally advised to avoid close personal or professional ties, as their energies tend to sabotage each other's efforts or emotional well-being.

The "damage" in these pairings often stems from one sign actively or passively undermining the other's core nature or aspirations, leading to a feeling of being betrayed or constantly drained.

• Rat (Zi) & Goat (Wei) Damage: The Silent Sabotage

This pairing is a classic example of a mutual harm relationship. The Goat, who is kind and creative, often feels exploited by the shrewd and pragmatic Rat. The Rat’s focus on material gain can damage the Goat’s emotional harmony, while the Goat’s neediness can drain the Rat’s energy. The Goat often takes the initiative in a breakup, leaving the Rat feeling passive and victimized.

• Ox (Chou) & Horse (Wu) Damage: The Friction of Pace

The slow, steady, and disciplined Ox is fundamentally incompatible with the fast, impulsive, and freedom-loving Horse. The Ox dislikes the Horse’s impatient and sometimes reckless nature, especially their constant need to travel and move. The Horse finds the Ox too boring, stubborn, and limiting. Their different paces and priorities in life cause constant friction that slowly damages their union.

• Tiger (Yin) & Snake (Si) Damage: The Clash of Force vs. Cunning

The direct, powerful Tiger is repelled by the secretive and cunning nature of the Snake. The Tiger feels the Snake is too slippery, manipulative, and uses charm to evade responsibility, which the honest Tiger despises. This damage often manifests as mistrust and suspicion, where the Tiger’s open nature is harmed by the Snake’s hidden agendas.

• Rabbit (Mao) & Dragon (Chen) Damage: The Power Imbalance

The gentle Rabbit is easily overwhelmed by the powerful, demanding, and idealistic Dragon. The Dragon's grand ambitions can make the Rabbit feel inadequate or overlooked. The Rabbit may lack the patience and endurance to keep up with the Dragon's relentless energy, leading to emotional exhaustion and a loss of self-esteem.

• Monkey (Shen) & Pig (Hai) Damage: The Misplaced Trust

The clever, quick-witted Monkey and the generous, trusting Pig form a damaging pair because the Monkey can easily take advantage of the Pig’s good nature. The Pig’s honesty and simplicity are harmed by the Monkey’s tendency towards manipulation and trickery. While they may start with fun and optimism, the Monkey’s lack of seriousness can eventually lead to the Pig feeling betrayed and exploited.

• Rooster (You) & Dog (Xu) Damage: The Difference in Morality

The Rooster is focused on perfection, appearance, and material success, often putting their ego first. The Dog is driven by loyalty, justice, and moral principles, often putting others first. The Dog is constantly irritated by the Rooster's vanity and self-centeredness, while the Rooster finds the Dog's moralizing tiresome and overly serious. This difference in core values causes a constant, low-level harm to their mutual respect.

Navigating Conflict: Can Enemy Signs Find Harmony?

In traditional Chinese astrology, the "enemy signs" are not an absolute death sentence for a relationship. The concept of Bazi (Eight Characters), which includes the hour, day, and month of birth, provides a much deeper and more complex compatibility reading than just the year sign. A strong Earthly Branch connection in another part of the Bazi chart can easily mitigate the conflict of the year signs.

The presence of a Six Harmony (Liu He, 六合) sign in another part of the chart is often a powerful antidote to conflict. For example, the Tiger and Pig are in a Six Harmony relationship, which can help to balance the Tiger's clashes with the Monkey or Snake. These secret friends and allies provide a buffer against the opposing energies.

Ultimately, the key to navigating the challenges of enemy signs lies in awareness and communication. Recognizing the root cause of the conflict—whether it's the Rat's need for security clashing with the Horse's need for freedom, or the Tiger's force opposing the Monkey's wit—allows couples to address the issue at its source. Understanding the fundamental differences in personality traits, elements, and life values is the first step toward turning a destined enemy into a respected partner or a powerful, albeit challenging, ally.