HORIZON ASTROLOGY

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
Rat and Tiger

Compatibility overview

Occupying the gray area between the stars and villains of Chinese astrology, the firsteast and secondeast represents an intriguing, if at times inconsistent, pairing. Some strong affinities may result in plenty of enjoyment and caring support. Underlying tensions are likely to surface from time to time, but on balance there is a strong likelihood of a lasting and fulfilling connection.

Rat and Tiger - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the RAT and TIGER zodiac signs...

The four Trine Families that determine compatibility in the Chinese zodiac—much like the elements in Western astrology—divide naturally into two streams. The respective families of the Rat (with the Dragon and Monkey) and the Tiger (with the Dog and Horse) belong in different streams. This inter-family tension can cause some jarring clashes—such as with the Rat and Horse, or the Tiger and Monkey—but for the Rat and Tiger, the situation is far less problematic. In fact, these two can often find common ground easily.

The Rat is an abundantly gifted sign, especially in matters of tactics, language, and finances, while the majestic Tiger is a natural leader in thought or action, who tends to be deeply admiring of excellence and achievement. Hence these two are likely to sense quickly that they have a great deal to offer one another, in terms of advancing their respective goals, and to share profoundly meaningful support and encouragement. The synergies here are by no means confined to serious or transactional matters, either. The Rat is, of course, fabulously entertaining and witty, while the Tiger loves to relax as much as they love charging about having adventures, so interactions between these two will frequently bring forth an atmosphere of jovial lightness, even hilarity.

The lurking instability between these signs is perhaps most likely to surface in relation to information or resources. The Tiger is as high-minded and impetuous as any of the Chinese signs, whereas the Rat is instinctively more pragmatic, secretive, and judicious, so disputes around disclosure or strategy would not be unexpected. Also, the Tiger tends to be committed to an inflexible sense of justice and fairness, while the Rat may be more open to prioritizing their own self-interest. Differences of opinion about finances or propriety could therefore be quite stark, and leave both signs feeling wounded. Ultimately, though, this energy is rarely conducive to bearing grudges, and these two are well-equipped to accept their differences matter-of-factly, and move on quickly to areas of consensus.

The Rat and Tiger may find they gravitate naturally to more separate arrangements than living in each other's pockets all the time, but in any context there is terrific potential for lengthy collaboration and warmth between these two talented signs.

Celebrity Rat/Tiger Pairings^*

^*Click on the names to see both Western and Chinese zodiac matches for that pairing.

Miles Davis and Cicely Tyson (click for attribution/s)

Cicely Tyson (12/19/1924, Sagittarius Rat), Miles Davis (5/26/1926, Gemini Tiger) : Actor Tyson and legendary jazz trumpeter Davis were married from 1981 to 1989. Tyson acknowledged after 2015 that Davis had once been abusive in the relationship, but described in an interview shortly before she died in 2021: "Listen, let me tell you something. I got to know the soul of a man who is as gentle as a lamb. He covered it up with this ruthless attitude because he was so shy. Shy, you hear me? And in trying to be the kind of tough person that people thought he was, he ruined his life. Yes, gentle as a lamb, you hear me? That’s the Miles Davis I knew."

Robert Redford (8/18/1936, Leo Rat), Shia LaBeouf (6/11/1986, Gemini Tiger) : Actor/director Redford and actor LaBeouf collaborated on the film, The Company You Keep (2012). Redford described in 2013: "Shia, for those of you that know his work, he’s got a fast mind and a fast tongue. And it’s very, very impressive. And it moves rapid fire. I thought it would be interesting to have Shia play a character where he’s got to have some variation in his performance. I wanted him to start out as that kind of character, kind of a bird dog, just relentless and would just roll over anybody, stomp over anybody to get the story. And have him learn something along the road. And give Shia the chance to vary his energy. And that to me was exciting."

Harmony Korine and Chloë Sevigny (click for attribution/s)

Harmony Korine (1/4/1973, Capricorn Rat), Chloë Sevigny (11/18/1974, Scorpio Tiger) : Actor/fashion designer Sevigny and film-maker Korine shared a close friendship and on-off romantic relationship after their first collaboration, the film Kids (1995). They also collaborated on the movies, Gummo (1997), and Julien Donkey-Boy (1999). Sevigny described in 2000: "We just grew up together. I invited [Korine] to my high-school graduation. He was my best friend. He was my university, I never went to college. He taught me almost everything I know about movies and books and music." In 2015, she said, "Harmony has this sort of seductive nature that you can really get wrapped up in. Any little note or letter he’d leave behind for me — from his wording to the little drawing that he’d make in it — every single thing he did was a work of art."

Avril Lavigne (9/27/1984, Libra Rat), Chad Kroeger (11/15/1974, Scorpio Tiger) : Singer/songwriter Lavigne and Nickelback singer/guitarist Kroeger began dating in 2012, and were married from 2013 to 2015. They collaborated extensively on Lavigne's fifth album, Avril Lavigne (2013), including the track, "Let Me Go" (2013). Lavigne described in 2019: "[Chad and I are] actually really close...He was with me through a lot and is a really protective person in my life. He's still like family. I didn't know that it would be that way, and I'm really glad it is because we were friends and we made music together. We've just kept the friendship and continued having a working relationship, as well...He was a really great soundboard. I would call him and send him songs to get his opinion, and if I was ever stuck on something, he'd help me out, which is super [expletive] cool, if you think about it. I'd play him songs on FaceTime and he'd be like, 'I'm so proud of you, you did such a good job.' So he just cares about me and wants to see me do well, which is really nice."

Eminem and Skylar Grey (click for attribution/s)

Eminem (10/17/1972, Libra Rat), Skylar Grey (2/23/1986, Pisces Tiger) : Rap music icon Eminem and singer/songwriter Grey have collaborated extensivery for over ten years, beginning with the song, "Love the Way You Lie" (2010, featuring Rihanna). Grey described in 2020: "I credit a lot of my success to Marshall. Cause ["Love the Way You Lie"] was my biggest break to date. It’s the biggest song I’ve ever been a part of. I’m so grateful for that opportunity that came into my life at a moment in time I was very unsure about my career path. I’ve always been very grateful for it. When I finally met him and started working with him in person it felt very natural. There was good musical chemistry there, so we continued to work together. Since that song came out, it’s been like, ten years now?...I can’t believe it. I’ve been working with him ever since."

Notorious B.I.G. (5/21/1972, Gemini Rat), Lil' Kim (7/11/1974, Cancer Tiger) : The two legendary hip-hop artists shared a supportive and romantic relationship, with Notorious BIG credited with discovering Lil' Kim in the 1990s. They collaborated together as part of the rap group, Junior M.A.F.I.A., recording the album Conspiracy (1995). While Kim has acknowledged problems and power imbalances in the relationship, she described in 2016: "[Notorious BIG] became my friend, my lover, my everything. I was his biggest fan. He knew I would be the biggest female rapper. I think I inspired him to want to do different things and be different. We were a match made in heaven, like Sonny and Cher or Ashford and Simpson."

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell (click for attribution/s)

Rebecca Romijn (11/6/1972, Scorpio Rat), Jerry O'Connell (2/17/1974, Aquarius Tiger) : The actors married in 2007 and share twin daughters. Referencing one of their early interactions, O'Connell described in a joint interview in 2019: "Rebecca was in the VIP section of [a pool] party and I was not. I saw you in the VIP section and you were newly single and I was like, ‘I got to get some of that, right there.’ It was a pool party, so I took my shirt off, I did some pushups right there and got some oil. I was super flexing. I had met my wife once before that at the time. But through the rope I was like, ‘Hey, Rebecca!’...We started hanging out. I came for a sleepover … and I never left. That’s the truth. We just clicked."