The cycles of creation and destruction.

Certain signs are compatible with each other in the Chinese zodiac, while other signs are counted as enemies; a further complication arises from the elemental bias of the individual signs involved. For instance, those born under the sign of the Snake are said to be compatible with Rooster and Oxen. If the Snake in question happens to be of the fire element, he will find that a Rooster or an Ox of the wood element will tend to encourage him and that this elemental mix will enhance the relationship. This is because wood fuel fire in the creation cycle. However, it is unlikely that the fire Snake will get on as well with an Ox who is of the water element because this Ox type will tend to damper the Snake's enthusiasm. The reason for this is because the combination of fire and water form part of the destruction cycle.

The same principle applies to individual years, so that an earth-rules person will not have such fortune in a wood year (because wood exhausts earth) as in others. This holds true even if the year is governed by an animal sign that is compatible with the earth-ruled person's. Although her luck will not be disastrous, the influence of the element will tend to work against good fortune, putting obstacles in her path. On the other hand, the earth-ruled person is likely to have excellent luck during a fire year ( because fire creates earth), even if that year is governed by one of her sign's animal enemies, in this case any bad luck being lessened by a favorable element.

To put it simply, each elements feeds, or gives birth to, the next in the creation cycle's sequence, while the opposite is the case in the destruction cycle.

The Creation Cycle

Wood == Fuels ==>Fire

Fire == Creates ==> Earth

Earth == Creates ==> Metal

Metal == Creates ==> Water

Water == Feeds ==> Wood

The Destruction Cycle

Fire == Melts ==> Metal

Metal == Chops ==> Wood

Wood == Exhausts ==> Earth

Earth == Pollutes ==>Water

Water == Douses ==> Fire