Download on the App Store

Updated 2026-06-25

The Metal Tiger Year

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

Metal Tiger years: 1950, 2010. The next Metal Tiger year is 2070.

The Tiger

Brave, confident, passionate and independent. The Tiger 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 Tiger: the blend

A Tiger born in a Metal Tiger year carries the Tiger's nature — brave, confident, passionate and independent — 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 Tiger

1950turns 76 in 2026
2010turns 16 in 2026

Frequently asked

What years are Metal Tiger years?
The Metal Tiger pairing falls on 1950, 2010 and recurs every 60 years.
What is a person born in a Metal Tiger year like?
A Tiger born in a Metal Tiger year carries the Tiger's nature — brave, confident, passionate and independent — 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 Tiger in the other elements

Wood Tiger Fire Tiger Earth Tiger Water Tiger

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

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