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Updated 2026-06-25

The Metal Rabbit Year

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

Metal Rabbit years: 1951, 2011. The next Metal Rabbit year is 2071.

The Rabbit

Gentle, diplomatic, artistic and prudent. The Rabbit 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 Rabbit: the blend

A Rabbit born in a Metal Rabbit year carries the Rabbit's nature — gentle, diplomatic, artistic and prudent — 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 Rabbit

1951turns 75 in 2026
2011turns 15 in 2026

Frequently asked

What years are Metal Rabbit years?
The Metal Rabbit pairing falls on 1951, 2011 and recurs every 60 years.
What is a person born in a Metal Rabbit year like?
A Rabbit born in a Metal Rabbit year carries the Rabbit's nature — gentle, diplomatic, artistic and prudent — 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 Rabbit in the other elements

Wood Rabbit Fire Rabbit Earth Rabbit Water Rabbit

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

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