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Danielle Popov

How compatible are you and your future spouse? In Chinese culture, couples-to-be – and their parents – often turn to the zodiac for answers, or for peace of mind.
Based on their birth year, individuals fall under one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Each of the 12 zodiac animals has its strengths and weaknesses, and these are said to influence how people navigate life’s challenges.
A detailed zodiac reading may reveal how personally compatible a couple are, and how compatible their parents are – because them getting along matters – and even whether they are headed for divorce.
Here are five considerations when consulting a fortune-teller before your wedding.

1. Animal zodiac compatibility
Chinese fortune-tellers evaluate the compatibility of the bride and groom based on their zodiac signs.
Certain zodiac animal pairings tend to get on well, such as the tiger with the pig, the rabbit with the dog and the dragon with the rooster, according to feng shui master Andrew Kwan. Bad, or colliding, pairings include the tiger with the monkey, the rabbit with the rooster, and the horse with the rat.
Additionally, there are the “offensive” combos, like the tiger with the monkey or snake, and the dragon with another dragon, which can suggest potential challenges in a marriage.
Such conflicts may indicate that the potential union could face difficulties, including a higher likelihood of divorce. Think about it – two dragons indicates a power struggle, as do two tigers.

As well as the signs, some fortune-tellers might suggest looking into their elemental affiliations – fire, water, earth, metal and wood – to spot potential clashes.
The animals are depicted on a dial, like a clock face, and are ordered according to legend of the Buddha’s race to select the animals for the zodiac. Going anticlockwise, rat comes first, ox second, tiger third, and so on.
Animals that oppose each other directly on the dial are seen as colliding and in direct conflict. For example, the rabbit comes fourth and it directly opposes the rooster, which comes 10th.
Each animal is friendly with the fourth animal after it in the zodiac, such as the tiger with the horse and dog.
A very loose rule of thumb would be that the smaller animals tend to get along with the larger ones, whereas two large animals together would cause rifts.

2. Time of birth
Four pillars – year, month, day and hour – also have a big influence over a couple’s compatibility. The year pillar reflects family life, the month pillar indicates personal character and appearance, the day pillar reveals self-relationship and connection with the spouse, and the hour pillar determines compatibility for parenthood and the overall relationship, according to Kwan.
It is important that the times of birth of each partner do not clash.
3. Parents
Traditionally in Chinese marriages, parents play a significant role in their offspring’s long-term partnership. Their involvement extends beyond the wedding ceremony, as the union also represents a connection between two families.
Family compatibility is crucial; if the match is deemed inauspicious, it may suggest that one family could bring misfortune to the other, potentially jeopardising the marriage.

4. Wedding and banquet dates
A fortune-teller or feng shui master often selects a wedding date that aligns with both partners’ zodiac signs to ensure a harmonious ceremony.
The wedding day marks the beginning of the marriage, and its smooth execution can foreshadow the future of the relationship.
The wedding is considered to be the “face” of the marriage – often the way the ceremony goes and the smoothness of the ceremony is important to show the guests and family that the union is auspicious and the marriage will be a success … at least on the surface.
5. The future is not set in stone
Chinese fortune-telling encompasses two philosophies: one is fixed and calculated, while the other suggests that individuals can adjust their destinies.
Kwan emphasises that although zodiac-based fortune-telling has deep historical roots, it serves primarily as a starting point for marriage. A successful union requires communication, compromise, mutual understanding and partnership, and maintenance from both people.
With dedication and effort, the wedding is merely the beginning, and your future together is shaped by your choices.


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Fortune-tellers examine a potential Chinese bride and groom’s month, year, day and time of birth, and their and their parents’ zodiac signs, to see if they are compatible. Photo: Shutterstock

If the couple’s birth animals align and do not clash, fortune-tellers say they will have a good family life. Photo: Shutterstock

In Chinese culture, each year is associated with one of 12 animals, and these animals either align or clash. Photo: Shutterstock

The bride- and groom-to-be’s hour of birth is linked to compatibility for parenthood and the relationship. Photo: Shutterstock

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A couple serve the groom’s parents tea after the bride has moved into their home, so the bridal dowry should include everything needed for the ceremony. Photo: Shutterstock Images

The bride’s dowry should include red sheets and pillow cases with which to make the bridal bed. Photo: Shutterstock Images

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To learn whether a marriage will be harmonious, experts refer to the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and the hour, date and month of birth


To learn whether a marriage will be harmonious, experts refer to the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and the hour, date and month of birth.


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