The system of Chinese Astrology known as Ba Zi can be applied in analyzing any pattern and predicting a likely outcome. How might it be applied to the four year pattern of United States Presidential elections?
America’s birthday is generally reckoned to be July 4, 1776. That was a Fire Monkey year (like 2016). The Fire Monkey is the year pillar of the United States and the sign of Monkey usually means something new is starting. Did you know that 1776 was not the year of the first election? The first Presidential election wasn’t held until December 1788, an Earth Monkey year.
The Chinese Zodiac consists of 12 Animals or Earthly Branches. Because the first election was held in a Monkey year, a pattern was established so that the US elections are held only in Monkey, Rat or Dragon years.
In a Ba Zi, Monkey-Rat-Dragon is a Water pattern. America is a country that embodies the Metal element, therefore elections are our expression. To be more clear, we see elections as a way of expressing ourselves, our approval and disapproval. We seek a common level that is unlikely to be achieved. Any election includes some drama and lots of words. So many words.
The Water pattern tends to emphasize the enforcement of inequities toward the Fire element that is endemic to the United States. We tend to kill, oppress and deprive the indigenous and the people in the south. This is part of the pattern. The pattern tells you about the character.
Following the rules of Ba Zi, it is possible to identify who might be lucky and who might not based on whether the year is Monkey, Rat or Dragon. This method illustrates how external or annual energy is helpful in a generic way. You could also call that timing.
For elections held in Monkey years, Snake, Monkey, Rat and Dragon have an edge.
For elections held in Rat years the Ox, Monkey, Rat and Dragon are lucky.
For elections held in Dragon years Rooster, Monkey and Rat are favored.
Don’t get stuck on these rules, rather use them as a starting point. Sometimes being clashed is helpful too or there would be no Tiger, Horse or Dog as Presidents. I suspect that if you’ve managed to get the nomination and your year pillar matches the election year pillar, you can win against the rules of who is favored.
As always, looking at history is a good way to refine your perception of the pattern. Using the pattern of election years, along with the pattern of who wins in what year, provides a starting place for a deeper dive.
For example, even though they might not be favored in most years, Snake is the year pillar that seems to have a slight edge when it comes to being elected. Snakes have won in six elections, so has the Rat who is favored every time. The elemental flexibility of the Snake is often the sign of a politician. The Snake can weave a spell with persuasive words, but can keep their own counsel when it’s advantageous. It turns out that’s a helpful trait when you want a powerful position.
Maybe the Snake is more successful because the year pillar of the United States is Fire Monkey. In a visual interpretation of the pillar it’s as if the Snake is sitting on top of the Monkey. The relationship of Monkey and Snake is called Secret Friends. It’s also known as one of the Six Destructions. Things get explosive at times between the Monkey and Snake. Our country is prone multiple breakups and reunions. We want to be united, but we’re mutually suspicious, sometimes for very good reasons. This is the relationship of Monkey and Snake.
After the Snake and Rat, we have Dog and Pig tied with five wins each. Ox, Tiger and Horse have four wins each. Monkey has three wins. Sheep has won twice. Two elections were won by a Rooster but it was the same Rooster: Grover Cleveland. If you understand the nature of the Rooster, it won’t surprise you that he is the only President to have won non-consecutive terms.
The Chinese Zodiac signs are listed below with the Presidents born under that sign. Each Zodiac sign has been elected at least once. What patterns do you see?
Rat Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1788 | 1732 | |
| Earth Monkey | George Washington | Water Rat |
| 戊申 | 壬子 | |
| | | |
| 1792 | 1732 | |
| Water Rat | George Washington | Water Rat |
| 壬子 | 壬子 | |
| | ||
| 1852 | 1804 | |
| Water Rat | Franklin Pierce | Wood Rat |
| 壬子 | 甲子 | |
| | | |
| 1968 | 1913 | |
| Earth Monkey | Richard Nixon | Water Rat |
| 戊申 | resigned August 1974 | 壬子 |
| | | |
| 1976 | 1924 | |
| Fire Dragon | Jimmy Carter | Wood Rat |
| 丙辰 | 壬子 | |
| | | |
| 1988 | 1924 | |
| Earth Dragon | George H.W. Bush | Wood Rat |
| 戊辰 | 甲子 |
The Rat is the first animal in the cycle of twelve. Appropriately, our first President George Washington, was born in a Rat year, but not a Wood Rat year. These things matter. As a Water Rat, George may have felt bearing authority to be confining and depressing. This would not be the case for Wood Rats like Jimmy Carter or George H.W. Bush.
A person born in the year of the Rat has a good chance of being elected in any election year but their influence is strong whether they are elected or not. The way I see it, a lot of the decisions made in the US are directed by the Rat’s energy. England is the country associated with the Rat so this makes historical sense too. These are the roots of our colonizer mentality.
Ox Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1880 | 1829 | |
| Metal Dragon | Chester Arthur* | Earth Ox |
| 庚子 | VP to Garfield | 己丑 |
| | | |
| 1920 | 1865 | |
| Metal Monkey | Warren Harding | Wood Ox |
| 庚申 | d. July 1923 | 乙丑 |
| | | |
| 1968 | 1913 | |
| Earth Monkey | Gerald Ford* | Water Ox |
| 戊申 | VP to Nixon | 癸丑 |
| | | |
| 2008 | 1961 | |
| Earth Rat | Barack Obama | Metal Ox |
| 戊子 | 辛丑 | |
| 2012 | 1961 | |
| Water Dragon | Barack Obama | Metal Ox |
| 壬辰 | 辛丑 |
Barack Obama was first elected in a Rat year. The powerful Ox is able to co-opt the Rat’s power and influence but only for a short time, so an Ox has a good chance of winning in a Rat year.
In the Metal Rat Year of 2020, a Water Horse was elected. What stops the Ox from winning might be their ephemeral popularity. It’s hard for the Ox to make it far enough to win unless they know how to show off a little.
Tiger Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1816 | 1758 | |
| Fire Rat | James Monroe | Earth Tiger |
| 丙子 | 戊寅 | |
| | | |
| 1820 | 1758 | |
| Metal Dragon | James Monroe | Earth Tiger |
| 丙子 | 戊寅 | |
| | ||
| 1836 | 1782 | |
| Fire Monkey | Martin Van Buren | Water Tiger |
| 丙申 | 壬寅 | |
| | | |
| 1896 | 1843 | |
| Fire Monkey | William McKinley | Water Tiger |
| 丙申 | 壬寅 | |
| | | |
| 1900 | 1843 | |
| Fire Monkey | William McKinley | Water Tiger |
| 庚子 | Assassinated September 1901 | 壬寅 |
| 1952 | 1890 | |
| Water Dragon | Dwight D. Eisenhower | Metal Tiger |
| 壬辰 | 庚寅 | |
| 1956 | 1890 | |
| Fire Monkey | Dwight D. Eisenhower | Metal Tiger |
| 丙申 | 庚寅 |
You can hardly ever count a Tiger out of the running when there’s a contest.
Metal Tiger Dwight D. Eisenhower was a General in the U.S. Army before he was President. In his final speech as President he warned about the developing military-industrial complex. It may not have been the legacy he wanted, but I wonder if he ever realized his own role in its creation. That’s kind of a Tiger thing.
Rabbit Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1796 | 1735 | |
| Fire Dragon | John Adams | Wood Rabbit |
| 丙辰 | 乙卯 | |
| | | |
| 1844 | 1795 | |
| Wood Dragon | James K. Polk | Wood Rabbit |
| 甲辰 | 乙卯 | |
| | | |
| 1880 | 1831 | |
| Metal Dragon | James Garfield | Metal Rabbit |
| 庚辰 | Assassinated September 1881 | 辛卯 |
Obviously it’s been a long time since we valued the type of staying power the gentle Rabbit possesses. I would be surprised if a Rabbit is elected ever again. Remember what I said about Rat energy influencing elections?
Wood Rabbit and father of six children John Adams was known for his political independence or non-partisanship. The only element in his year is Wood. Just one element.
Dragon Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1848 | 1784 | |
| Earth Monkey | Zachary Taylor | Wood Dragon |
| 戊申 | d. July 1850 | 甲辰 |
| | | |
| 1864 | 1808 | |
| Wood Rat | Andrew Johnson* | Earth Dragon |
| 甲子 | VP to Lincoln | 戊辰 |
| | | |
| 1912 | 1856 | |
| Water Rat | Woodrow Wilson | Fire Dragon |
| 壬子 | 丙辰 | |
| 1916 | 1856 | |
| Fire Dragon | Woodrow Wilson | Fire Dragon |
| 丙辰 | 丙辰 |
1856 Fire Dragon Woodrow Wilson was a lawyer, professor, author and President of Princeton University, all prior to becoming the 28th US President. That’s a Dragon with 食神 shi shen – full of ideas; meticulous with work when it interests him.
Snake Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1840 | 1772 | |
| Metal Rat | William H. Harrison | Water Snake |
| 庚子 | d. April 1841 | 癸巳 |
| | | |
| 1860 | 1809 | |
| Metal Monkey | Abraham Lincoln | Earth Snake |
| 庚申 | 己巳 | |
| | | |
| 1860 | 1809 | |
| Metal Monkey | Abraham Lincoln | Earth Snake |
| 庚申 | Assassinated April 1864 | 己巳 |
| | ||
| 1888 | 1833 | |
| Earth Rat | Benjamin Harrison | Water Snake |
| 戊子 | 癸巳 | |
| | | |
| 1908 | 1857 | |
| Earth Monkey | William H. Taft | Fire Snake |
| 戊申 | 丁巳 | |
| | | |
| 1932 | 1882 | |
| Water Monkey | Franklin D. Roosevelt | Metal Snake |
| 壬申 | 辛巳 | |
| 1936 | 1882 | |
| Fire Rat | Franklin D. Roosevelt | Metal Snake |
| 丙子 | 辛巳 | |
| 1940 | 1882 | |
| Metal Dragon | Franklin D. Roosevelt | Metal Snake |
| 庚辰 | 辛巳 | |
| 1960 | 1917 | |
| Metal Rat | John F. Kennedy | Fire Snake |
| 庚子 | assassinated November 1963 | 丁巳 |
I don’t know about you, but what stands out to me about Snake Presidents is that they tend to have health problems and/or are more likely to be assassinated. Maybe this is a manifestation of the potential destruction between the Monkey and Snake. Snakes might want to consider they can last longer in politics if they are less prominent.
As always in any crowd, John F. Kennedy stands out, this time because he has a Snake year, Snake month and a Yin Metal day stem. He was a tricky guy from a family of politicians. As a Metal day stem person his power is in the Snake, that is, in his ancestors, siblings and his job.
The Water-y nature of any election year tends to stimulate the Snake with promises of potential power and transformations.
Horse Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1868 | 1822 | |
| Earth Dragon | Ulysses S. Grant | Water Horse |
| 戊辰 | 壬午 | |
| | ||
| 1872 | 1822 | |
| Water Monkey | Ulysses S. Grant | Water Horse |
| 壬申 | 壬午 | |
| | | |
| 1876 | 1822 | |
| Fire Rat | Rutherford B. Hayes | Water Horse |
| 丙子 | 壬午 | |
| | | |
| 1900 | 1858 | |
| Metal Rat | Theodore Roosevelt* | Earth Horse |
| 庚子 | VP to McKinley | 戊午 |
| | ||
| 1904 | 1858 | |
| Wood Dragon | Theodore Roosevelt | Earth Horse |
| 甲辰 | 戊午 | |
| | | |
| 2020 | 1942 | |
| Metal Rat | Joe Biden | Water Horse |
| 庚子 | 壬午 |
Elementally, it’s a Water Horse’s job to cease Fire, however, when the proportions of Water and Fire are off, the opposite might happen. In harness with Abraham Lincoln, Water Horse General Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army to victory in the Civil War prior to becoming President. There was a LOT of burning as I recall.
On a lighter note, it’s hard not to think of 1978 when I think of Earth Horse Theodore Roosevelt. With his goofy mustache and glasses he was a precursor of 1970s men’s fashion. Teddy is also known for his promotion of national parks and preserving nature. In the 1970s we began to return to regarding the earth as a living being, rather than just a resource. That’s the spirit of the Earth Horse.
Don’t count the Horse out in a Rat election year just because they clash with the Rat. Sometimes a clash is exactly what is needed to win. Ask Joe Biden.
Sheep Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1808 | 1751 | |
| Earth Dragon | James Madison | Metal Sheep |
| 戊辰 | 辛未 | |
| | ||
| 1812 | 1751 | |
| Water Monkey | James Madison | Metal Sheep |
| 壬申 | 辛未 | |
| | ||
| 1848 | 1800 | |
| Earth Monkey | Millard Fillmore* | Earth Sheep |
| 戊申 | VP to Taylor | 己未 |
Metal Sheep James Madison was the oldest of 12 children. That’s excellent training for a Sheep who wants to be a leader. The Metal Sheep has a lot to manage. Other Sheep may prefer to be second in command, rather than number one.
Being President is not usually an aspiration of a Sheep. A closer analysis may reveal that people with a Sheep year rarely run for the office of U.S. President. Millard Fillmore, the only other Sheep to be President assumed office due to being Vice President when Zachary Taylor died.
Monkey Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1924 | 1872 | |
| Wood Rat | Calvin Coolidge* | Water Monkey |
| 甲子 | VP to Harding | 壬申 |
| | | |
| 1944 | 1884 | |
| Wood Monkey | Harry S. Truman | Wood Monkey |
| 甲申 | 甲申 | |
| | | |
| 1948 | 1884 | |
| Earth Rat | Harry S. Truman | Wood Monkey |
| 戊子 | 甲申 | |
| 1960* | 1908 | |
| Metal Rat | Lyndon B. Johnson* | Earth Monkey |
| 庚子 | VP to Kennedy | 戊申 |
| | ||
| 1964 | 1908 | |
| Wood Dragon | Lyndon B. Johnson | Earth Monkey |
| 甲辰 | 戊申 |
Wood Monkey Harry S. Truman was our 33rd President. The Wood Monkey is the sign of a decision maker; could be a person who lands in what they think is a catch-22. This is a person with a dilemma.
When the decision maker is the President of the United States, the decisions have huge consequences. Might be something like making the horrible misjudgment of bombing Hiroshima. A Wood Monkey is capable of making good choices too, of course.
Rooster Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1884 | 1837 | |
| Wood Monkey | Grover Cleveland | Fire Rooster |
| 甲申 | 丁酉 | |
| | | |
| 1892 | 1837 | |
| Water Dragon | Grover Cleveland | Fire Rooster |
| 壬辰 | 丁酉 |
1837 Fire Rooster Grover Cleveland is the only President to serve two terms non consecutively. I think his secret to success was that Yin Fire is reborn in the Rooster making the Fire Rooster more adaptable than other Roosters. They know how to stay relevant.
Dog Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1840 | 1790 | |
| Metal Rat | John Tyler* | Metal Dog |
| 庚子 | VP to Harrison | 庚戌 |
| | | |
| 1928 | 1874 | |
| Earth Dragon | Herbert Hoover | Wood Dog |
| 戊辰 | 甲戌 | |
| | | |
| 1992 | 1946 | |
| Water Monkey | Bill Clinton | Fire Dog |
| 壬申 | 丙戌 | |
| | ||
| 1996 | 1946 | |
| Fire Rat | Bill Clinton | Fire Dog |
| 丙子 | 丙戌 | |
| | ||
| 2000 | 1946 | |
| Metal Dragon | George W. Bush | Fire Dog |
| 庚辰 | 丙戌 | |
| | ||
| 2004 | 1946 | |
| Wood Monkey | George W. Bush | Fire Dog |
| 甲申 | 丙戌 | |
| 2016 | 1946 | |
| Fire Monkey | Donald Trump | Fire Dog |
| 丙申 | 丙戌 |
There were only two Dogs elected before Bill Clinton won in 1992. He seems to have started a trend that was only broken by Obama. I would attribute this succession of Dogs to a bigger cycle of timing than the annual energy. Period 7 formed the way these men grew up and their attitudes about women, Period 8 put them in charge.
Pig Presidents
| Election Year | Winner | Birth Year |
| | | |
| 1800 | 1743 | |
| Metal Monkey | Thomas Jefferson | Water Pig |
| 庚申 | 癸亥 | |
| | | |
| 1804 | 1743 | |
| Wood Rat | Thomas Jefferson | Water Pig |
| 甲子 | 癸亥 | |
| | ||
| 1824 | 1767 | |
| Wood Monkey | John Quincy Adams | Fire Pig |
| 甲申 | 丁亥 | |
| | | |
| 1828 | 1767 | |
| Earth Rat | Andrew Jackson | Fire Pig |
| 戊子 | 丁亥 | |
| | | |
| 1856 | 1791 | |
| Fire Dragon | James Buchanan | Metal Pig |
| 丙辰 | 辛亥 | |
| | | |
| 1980 | 1911 | |
| Metal Monkey | Ronald Reagan | Metal Pig |
| 庚申 | 辛亥 |
Like electricity, too much power takes the usual checks and balances offline. When you’re powerful or popular, people hesitate to mention your crimes, that your comb over has flopped or that you’re using fatal amounts of painkillers.
The versatile and creative Pig who becomes a President has the self penalty and the power to potentially make big mistakes. Thomas Jefferson was smart and multitalented but apparently (to put it lightly) he couldn’t keep it in his pants. This seems to be a common problem for men who have too much power.
Conclusion
If you found this post useful or helpful, know also that there is more to forecasting a US Presidential election than understanding the data here. Seeing as it’s 2024 and the next US Presidential election is in November, in my next post I’ll be narrowing the focus of my investigation, writing about elections in Dragon years.
*Elected as VP, assumed office of President