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Compatibility
Cancer Tiger and Pisces Dog

The cherished match of firstwest and secondwest blends with the similarly revered combination of the firsteast and secondeast—making this one of the most favored energy matches in the whole combined Western and Chinese zodiac.

Western Zodiac sign, Cancer
Western Zodiac sign, Pisces

Western Zodiac

Cancer and Pisces

Compatibility overview

There is a rare and wonderful beauty to the combination of firstwest and secondwest. Trine matches, which occur where signs are four steps apart, are said to be the most harmonious in the Western zodiac. For these two signs, their essential compatibility nurtures qualities of learning, identity formation, and pleasure.

Cancer and Pisces - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the CANCER and PISCES zodiac signs...

Read more about the CANCER TIGER and PISCES DOG combined zodiac signs...

Bruce Lee famously preached a "Be Water, My Friend" philosophy, saying, "Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup." While this may be an eloquent description of mindfulness, it also captures a lot of the challenges the Water signs Cancer and Pisces may face in life, and why a connection between these signs can be so special.

Sharing the most changeable and fluid element, Water, means these two signs can both be highly impressionable and responsive to the needs of others. They are both strongly empathic by nature—Cancer with an emphasis on identity formation, security, and belonging, and Pisces with their inclination towards universally shared concerns rather than individual priorities. This porous energy can make it difficult for these two signs to really know themselves. Cancer in particular has a reputation for being potentially the most variable of all the signs, they are so susceptible to outside influences. But Pisces too often lacks assertiveness—at least about their true nature—which can lead to them being alternately obliging or withdrawn, rather than accepting themselves with greater confidence.

The beauty of a relationship between Cancer and Pisces arises out of this mutual sensitivity. The pure, Cardinal modality of Cancer matches perfectly with Pisces' more transitory Mutable nature, meaning the supple, changeable potential of their shared Water element is free to flow and transform without restriction. Romance is highly favoured, but any connection between these two is likely to attract a special brand of intimacy. Cancer may be encouraged to develop a model of individual identity and home life that resonates with a growing sense of their own uniqueness. Pisces may feel less compelled to hide away (whether in plain sight or darkness) and more inclined to share their gentle aestheticism.

In short, this can be be one of the most promising relationships in the Western zodiac, favouring all kinds of exploration of the self and the outside world, and offering a uniquely close and strong bond to both parties.

Celebrity Cancer/Pisces Pairings*

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

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch
Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch (click for attribution/s)

Benedict Cumberbatch (7/19/1976, Cancer Dragon), Sophie Hunter (3/16/1978, Pisces Horse) : The actor and theatre director/playwright married in 2015 and have three children. Though the couple have avoided discussing their relationship publicly, Cumberbatch said in 2016: "Home is always the roots and the safe harbor."

Lionel Messi (6/24/1987, Cancer Rabbit), Antonela Roccuzzo (2/26/1988, Pisces Dragon) : The soccer superstar and model have known each other since their childhood in Rosario, Argentina. Messi confirmed their relationship publicly in 2009, and they have three children together.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez (click for attribution/s)

Selena Gomez (7/22/1992, Cancer Monkey), Justin Bieber (3/1/1994, Pisces Dog) : The musician and musician/actor formed one of the most high-profile couples in the world when they dated on-and-off between 2010 and 2018. At one time, Gomez explained, "I'll forever support [Bieber] and love him in a way….we grew up together," while Bieber said, "I'm never going to stop loving [Gomez]. I'm never going to stop checking in on her." After Gomez released her commercially and critically acclaimed song, "Lose You to Love Me", which she appeared to acknowledge was about her relationship with Bieber, she described: "I'm very proud of it...It's not a hateful song; it's a song that is saying — I had something beautiful and I would never deny that...now here I am stepping into a whole other chapter."

Mel Brooks (6/28/1926, Cancer Tiger), Carl Reiner (3/20/1922, Pisces Dog) : The two actor/comedian/screenwriters were best friends for over 70 years. They famously collaborated on the 2000 Year Old Man comedy albums in the 1950s/1960s. They were known for spending their evenings together in their 90s, watching Jeopardy and eating together at Reiner's house. In 2021, Brooks recalled: "Any time I could surprise [Reiner] and really break him up, I knew it was funny. He was the greatest audience. Ahhh, I miss him so much...He would call me in the evenings and say, ‘Come over, come over! I got a big stuffed cabbage for us!’ Even at the end he was always Carl: funny, sweet-natured, warm and just the most wonderful friend a person could ever have. People know how good he was, but not how great."

Miriam Makeba and Angélique Kidjo
Miriam Makeba and Angélique Kidjo (click for attribution/s)

Angélique Kidjo (7/14/1960, Cancer Rat), Miriam Makeba (3/4/1932, Pisces Monkey) : The two singer/songwriters shared a close mentoring friendship. Kidjo described in 2022: "In 1989, I was asked to be [Makeba's] opening act in Paris. During my soundcheck, she walked onstage, and I was frozen. I was shaking from emotion. She said, 'Hello, little girl! You have a nice voice!' After that, every time she would see me, she’d say, 'You’re doing good!' It was a friendship between a daughter and a musical mother. She said, 'Never accept anyone to put you in the category of "world music." All music is in the world. Everything people listen to comes from Africa. Why are we put in the ghetto of "world music?"' She gave me a lot of advice...I want my music to carry her legacy and to sing to her every time I’m onstage."

Carly Simon (6/25/1945, Cancer Rooster), James Taylor (3/12/1948, Pisces Rat) : The two singer/songwriters were married from 1972 to 1983, and had two children. In her memoir, Boys in the Trees (2015), Simon wrote about their early intimacy: "It was the nicest contact I could ever know, could ever have asked for, or ever remember…James was my muse, my Orpheus, my ‘good night, sweet prince,’ my something-in-the-way-he-moves."

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Chinese Zodiac sign, the Tiger
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Dog

Chinese Zodiac

Tiger and Dog

Compatibility overview

This superb match brings together two of the most honorable and motivated of all the Chinese signs. In any context, these two are natural collaborators. With their instinctively shared goals and selfless approaches to dividing labour, this pair can be as happily fulfilled as they are productive and impactful.

Tiger and Dog - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the CANCER TIGER and PISCES DOG combined zodiac signs...

The Dog and Tiger pairing attracts powerfully favourable and impactful energy in the Chinese Zodiac.

The essential building blocks of Chinese astrology are the four Trine Families. One such family brings together the Dog and Tiger (and their comrade-in-arms, the Horse). The binding energy here mixes compassion and ambition in equal measure. These two kindred souls are born determined to make their mark, but only if success does not risk compromising their high ideals. In early encounters, the bedrock of principled ambition produces reliably supportive, engaging interactions. The Dog's support for underdog causes, especially anyone neglected or treated unfairly by society at large, resonates with the Tiger's commitment to justice and sacrifice. The Tiger's gifts for leadership and originality will impress and inspire the faithful Dog.

Even before they realize exactly what is happening, these two will often begin working seamlessly together, each instinctively picking up whatever slack there is, their teamwork quickly becoming more than the sum of its parts. Mutual appeal on the physical level is also highly likely. As their connection deepens, the dependence and trust in this match can become profoundly meaningful and produce extraordinary results. While usually well-disguised, the Dog's tendency for anxiety can be severe. The Tiger's brand of passionate self-belief can ease this nervousness and help the humble Dog apply themselves to projects with happy courage. Meanwhile, the Tiger's weakness for rash and foolhardy actions is likely to be much less problematic when balanced by the Dog's patient counsel and determination.

There is an any-kind-of-weather quality to trine matches like this, which can make them just as beneficial and fruitful in familial, professional, or intimate connections. The only real risk is that the energy here may seem too easy, making one or both parties overlook the particular harmony at play here. Given the attention it deserves, therefore, is important to realise its true potential.

This wonderful match offers a rare and deeply fulfilling alliance, capable of yielding stunning results for the signs themselves and their wider community.

Celebrity Tiger/Dog Pairings*

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

Justin Bieber and Jaden Smith
Justin Bieber and Jaden Smith (click for attribution/s)

Jaden Smith (7/8/1998, Cancer Tiger), Justin Bieber (3/1/1994, Pisces Dog) : The musician and musician/actor have been close friends since they were teenagers. On Smith's 23rd birthday, Bieber published on Instagram: "Happy birthday to my brother and best friend. Thank you for your constant efforts in making this world a better place! I am so inspired by you. Keep being the leader and innovator that you are, we all follow your lead 😘😘."

Paul Daniels (4/6/1938, Aries Tiger), Debra McGee (10/31/1958, Scorpio Dog) : The magician and his long-time assistant were married from 1988 until Daniels' death in 2016. Daniels described in 2014, "[McGee] makes me laugh. Our relationship hasn’t changed over time: she still adores me. I hope we make each other feel very cared for and cherished. I would do anything for her – and I know she would for me."

Lil' Kim and Mary J. Blige
Lil' Kim and Mary J. Blige (click for attribution/s)

Lil' Kim (7/11/1974, Cancer Tiger), Mary J. Blige (1/11/1971, Capricorn Dog) : The two celebrated hip-hop artists have been friends for decades and have collaborated on multiple occasions, including "I Can Love You" and "Hold On". Blige described Lil Kim by saying: "My baby girl, my little sister, I mean, one of the most incredible female rappers to open the door for so many women. She’s a trailblazer and one of the biggest rappers [and] most respected rappers in the business."

Polly Samson (4/29/1962, Taurus Tiger), David Gilmour (3/6/1946, Pisces Dog) : The musician and novelist have been married since 1994 and share four children together (including a son from Samson's previous relationship). Samson has explained: "David has always been incredibly, incredibly supportive of me. There’s a motif in [my novel] A Theater for Dreamers that starts when [the character] Leonard says how lovely it would be if he had a gardenia and a sandwich placed on his desk every day...And in our relationship, we take it in turns. David is as likely to get me a gardenia and a sandwich as I am to get him one."

River Phoenix and Joaquin Phoenix
River Phoenix and Joaquin Phoenix (click for attribution/s)

Joaquin Phoenix (10/28/1974, Scorpio Tiger), River Phoenix (8/23/1970, Virgo Dog) : The two famous brothers grew up in an itinerant family and were always close. Joaquin Phoenix has described how River played songs for him on the guitar hours before River's tragic death in 1993. Joaquin also recounted: "[River] suggested I change my name [from Leaf back to Joaquin] and then, I don’t know, six months later, whatever it was, we were in Florida, we were in the kitchen, and he said, 'You’re going to be an actor and you're going to be more well known than I am.' Me and my mom looked at each other like, 'What the [expletive] is he talking about?’ I don’t know why he said that or what he knew of me at the time. I hadn’t been acting at all. But he also said it with a certain weight, with a knowing that seemed so absurd to me at the time, but of course now, in hindsight, you’re like, 'How the [expletive] did he know?'"

Flea (10/16/1962, Libra Tiger), John Frusciante (3/5/1970, Pisces Dog) : The two musicians have been longtime friends and collaborators, since Frusciante joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers at age 18. (Flea and fellow founding member of the RHCP, Anthony Kiedis (11/1/1962), were both born in 1962 and share this energy match with Frusciante.) Flea has described: "John Frusciante has a profound impact on everything that we do, and even when we wasn’t in the band he had a profound impact on everything that we do. He is just the most focused, dedicated, tapped-in musician who’s able to muster this diligence and focus about doing what he does consistently, that just uplifts us."

Elle Fanning (4/9/1998, Aries Tiger), Dakota Fanning (2/23/1994, Pisces Dog) : The two sisters were child actors who have gone on to have successful careers as adults. They have described the special bond between them and their shared development as actors. Elle Fanning has said: "[We] would play these elaborate scenes around the house. Like birthing scenes… I would be the baby coming out. Crazy stuff like that. We were doing it for ourselves; we weren’t, like, 'Oh, Mom and Dad, sit down and we’re gonna perform for you.' That was how we played."


Combined Relationship Horoscope

Final Words

The single greatest synergy across Western and Chinese astrology is the pride of place given by both to Trine combinations. In this relationship, the Western Trine pairing of firstwest and secondwest unites with the Chinese zodiac Trine pairing of firsteast and secondeast. Thus good fortune and harmony encompass these two from both sides, creating limitless potential in any context for intimacy, nourishment, inspiration, and dependability. Simply as good as it gets.

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