Korean Zodiac Compatibility (Tti Gunghap): All 12 Animals, Mapped

Korean zodiac compatibility — tti gunghap (띠 궁합) — pairs the earthly branch attached to each person's birth year. It is a quick two-animal shorthand, and the surface layer of fuller chart comparison. First find your Korean zodiac animal; then see how a complete saju compatibility reading compares both charts.

Korean zodiac compatibility starts with the year branch

The twelve tti are earthly branches (지지, 地支) expressed as animals. Tti gunghap reads two year branches through harmony triads and clash pairs. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture distinguishes this surface matching from inner, five-element matching: a birth-year animal is one character, not a whole person.

Harmony triads (samhap, 삼합)

Samhap (삼합, 三合) groups three branches four positions apart. Each trio has a traditional element association, a branch direction rather than a personality label.

Rat, Dragon, and Monkey — Water group (수국, 水局)

Rat (쥐), Dragon (용), and Monkey (원숭이) form the Water group: a flexible, responsive combination in the same Water-oriented branch pattern.

Ox, Snake, and Rooster — Metal group (금국, 金局)

Ox (소), Snake (뱀), and Rooster (닭) form the Metal group, traditionally associated with structure, refinement, and follow-through.

Tiger, Horse, and Dog — Fire group (화국, 火局)

Tiger (호랑이), Horse (말), and Dog (개) form the Fire group. This Tiger harmony set points to momentum and expression, not a fixed relationship pace.

Rabbit, Goat, and Pig — Wood group (목국, 木局)

Rabbit (토끼), Goat (양), and Pig (돼지) form the Wood group, traditionally associated with growth and connection.

Clash pairs (chung, 충)

Chung (충, 沖) places two branches six positions apart, on opposite sides of the circle. “Clash” means movement and friction, not a relationship verdict: the pair may notice different rhythms, priorities, or responses.

• Rat and Horse — 쥐와 말 · 子午沖
• Ox and Goat — 소와 양 · 丑未沖
• Tiger and Monkey — 호랑이와 원숭이 · 寅申沖
• Rabbit and Rooster — 토끼와 닭 · 卯酉沖
• Dragon and Dog — 용과 개 · 辰戌沖
• Snake and Pig — 뱀과 돼지 · 巳亥沖

Korean zodiac compatibility chart: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig

The table answers common searches for Tiger compatibility and Rabbit–Dragon compatibility without making a 12×12 grid a full relationship reading. “Neutral” means every animal outside the listed triad and clash pair.

Does a Korean zodiac clash mean you should avoid marriage?

No. A year branch is one of eight characters in each saju chart. Full gunghap weighs both day masters, element balance, spouse-palace signals, and every branch interaction across both charts. A clash pair can have complementary day masters or balancing elements; a harmony pair can meet a mismatch elsewhere. The chart frames tendencies and questions to discuss. The choice stays with the two people in it.

Korean and Chinese zodiac compatibility use the same branch mechanics

Korean tti and Chinese zodiac matching use the same twelve branches, so the four samhap triads and six chung pairs map directly across. The differences are cultural habits and the surrounding reading tradition: Korean practice calls the pairing tti gunghap and commonly connects it to saju; Chinese sources may use different labels or place it inside a bazi reading. East Asian birth chart systems maps the shared calendar root and the regional names around it.

Compare the whole chart, not just two animals

A zodiac table is a useful first pass because it gives two year branches a name. A full comparison adds the context that gives those branches meaning. Enter both birth details for a free couple compatibility chart and explore the complete gunghap together.