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Updated 2026-06-25

The Metal Pig Year

What it means to be born in a Metal Pig year in the Tibetan-Mongolian (zurkhai) tradition — the Pig's nature shaped by the element of Metal. tradition

Metal Pig years: 1911, 1971, 2031. The next Metal Pig year is 2031.

The Pig

Generous, sincere, easygoing and diligent. The Pig is one of the twelve animal signs (jil) that, paired with the five elements, make up the 60-year cycle.

The element of Metal

Metal governs discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve; its season is autumn and its direction is the west. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.

Metal Pig: the blend

A Pig born in a Metal Pig year carries the Pig's nature — generous, sincere, easygoing and diligent — under the influence of Metal, the element of discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.

Years of the Metal Pig

1911turns 115 in 2026
1971turns 55 in 2026
2031turns -5 in 2026 · current/next

Frequently asked

What years are Metal Pig years?
The Metal Pig pairing falls on 1911, 1971, 2031 and recurs every 60 years.
What is a person born in a Metal Pig year like?
A Pig born in a Metal Pig year carries the Pig's nature — generous, sincere, easygoing and diligent — under the influence of Metal, the element of discipline, precision, strength, clarity and resolve. Metal (also called Iron) is the contracting, refining energy — it gives a sign focus, integrity and willpower, though it can harden into rigidity.
How does the Tibetan element–animal cycle work?
Tibetan astrology overlays a 12-year cycle of animals with a 5-element cycle (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element governs two consecutive years, so 12 animals × 5 elements form a 60-year cycle before the same animal+element pairing repeats. Every year therefore carries both an animal and an element — 2026 is the Fire Horse. The system blends indigenous Bon astrology, Chinese-derived element/animal astrology, and Indian Kalachakra star astrology.

The Pig in the other elements

Wood Pig Fire Pig Earth Pig Water Pig

More on the Pig sign → · What is zurkhai? →

Animal/element traits and yearly outlooks are presented as traditional belief, not fact, and vary between astrologers and lineages.