The 1990 Chinese zodiac holds many insights into your personality, luck, and compatibility. In this article, BTA Feng Shui will guide you through its zodiac sign, element, lucky colors, favorable directions, and compatible signs.
Explore how to apply Feng Shui effectively to welcome prosperity, peace, and harmony into your life.
Note: This article was directly translated from the original Vietnamese version by BTA Feng Shui using Grok 3.
Zodiac Animal and Compatibility for People Born in 1990
According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in 1990 fall under the sign of the Metal Horse. The lunar year began on January 27, 1990, and ended on February 14, 1991, based on the Gregorian calendar. If you were born before January 27, 1990, your zodiac sign is actually the Earth Snake.
As of 2025, individuals born in 1990 are 35 years old by the Gregorian calendar, or 36 years old by the traditional lunar age system.
To determine compatibility for the 1990 Metal Horse, we analyze the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches:
- Heavenly Stem (庚 – Geng, Yang Metal): Compatible with 乙 – Yi (Yin Wood), clashes with 甲 – Jia (Yang Wood) and 丙 – Bing (Yang Fire). Geng symbolizes raw, unrefined metal, representing resilience and discipline.
- Earthly Branch (Horse): Forms a Dual Compatibility with Goat, a Three Harmonies group with Tiger, Horse, and Dog, and conflicts with Rat, Horse, Cat, and Rooster in the Four Clashes.
Below is a summary of compatible and incompatible signs for the 1990 Metal Horse:
| Compatibility | Male 1990 Metal Horse | Female 1990 Metal Horse |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible for Business | Wood Dog 1994, Fire Ox 1997, Metal Goat 1991 | |
| Compatible for Marriage | Earth Dragon 1988, Fire Rabbit 1987, Wood Dog 1994, Metal Goat 1991, Fire Ox 1997, Earth Rabbit 1999 | Wood Dog 1994, Metal Goat 1991, Fire Ox 1997, Earth Rabbit 1999, Earth Dragon 1988, Fire Rabbit 1987 |
| Incompatible Signs | Metal Horse 1990, Wood Pig 1995, Fire Rat 1996, Earth Snake 1989 | |
What is 1990 Chinese Zodiac Element?
According to the Five Elements theory, people born in 1990 belong to the Earth element, specifically Roadside Earth.
While the year is often referred to as the “Metal Horse 1990”, this can be misleading. In Chinese and Vietnamese Feng Shui, 1990 combines the Heavenly Stem Geng (庚 – Yang Metal) and the Earthly Branch Wu (午 – Horse), which forms the term Metal Horse.
However, under the Na Yin system—a more detailed elemental classification used in traditional astrology—each stem-branch pair is assigned its own element. For 1990, this combination corresponds to Roadside Earth, meaning people born in this year are considered to carry the Earth element, not Metal.
Individuals with Roadside Earth are steadfast, reliable, and highly resilient. They lead stable, practical lives but can be rigid, needing a supportive environment to reach their full potential.
Lucky and Unlucky Colors for the 1990 Chinese Zodiac
Based on the Five Elements’ generating cycle, those born in 1990 – Earth element are compatible with yellow and brown (Earth) to enhance stability, and red, pink, and purple (Fire) since Fire generates Earth, boosting wealth and positive energy.
Per the controlling cycle, the 1990 Metal Horse should avoid green (Wood) because Wood overcomes Earth, potentially hindering luck. Additionally, limit blue and black (Water) as Earth overcomes Water, which may drain energy.
Personal Trigram for People Born in 1990
In feng shui’s Eight Trigrams, those born in 1990 have the Earth element (Roadside Earth), but their Personal Trigram varies by gender:
- Male 1990: 坎 – Kan (Water), East Group. Males with Kan are intelligent, adaptable, and intuitive.
- Female 1990: 艮 – Gen (Earth), West Group. Females with Gen are persistent, nurturing, and live peacefully.
Lucky Directions for the 1990 Chinese Zodiac (Metal Horse)
Favorable directions for the 1990 Metal Horse are based on the Personal Trigram, Eight Mansions, and Eight Trigrams—helping align the energy of your home, workspace, or study area for better harmony.
| Direction | Male 1990 Metal Horse | Female 1990 Metal Horse |
|---|---|---|
| Favorable Directions | East – Vitality: Full blessings and prosperity; Southeast – Longevity: Stability in all matters; South – Restoration: Receives assistance; North – Heavenly Doctor: Blessed with protection |
Southwest – Vitality; West – Longevity; Northeast – Restoration; Northwest – Heavenly Doctor |
| Unfavorable Directions | Northeast – Misfortune: Harmful energy; Northwest – Extinction: Fatal risks; Southwest – Five Ghosts: Calamities; West – Six Evils: Destructive energy |
South – Five Ghosts; Southeast – Six Evils; East – Misfortune; North – Extinction |
(Source: “Building Homes According to Geography, Astronomy, and I Ching” by Trần Văn Tam, Culture and Information Publishing House, 2002)
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What Are Your Lucky Numbers If You Were Born in 1990?
In feng shui’s Five Elements, the 1990 Metal Horse (Earth element) is compatible with numbers 0, 2, 5, 8 (Earth) and 9 (Fire), as Fire generates Earth. These numbers attract luck and support career success.
Avoid numbers 3, 4 (Wood) since Wood overcomes Earth, which may cause obstacles. Number 1 (Water) is unsuitable, as Earth overcomes Water, reducing positive energy.
Personality and Destiny of the 1990 Metal Horse
Male 1990 Metal Horse
Personality: Male 1990 Metal Horses embody the resilience of Roadside Earth, being strong, decisive, and ambitious. They crave freedom, aim for big goals, but can be rigid, resisting change. Their straightforward nature earns respect, yet they should embrace flexibility to avoid conflicts. They’re reliable pillars for family and friends, with a strong sense of duty.
Career: With a practical mindset, male Horses excel in fields like real estate, construction, or management. They’re persistent and seize opportunities but may face challenges due to stubbornness. A stable environment with supportive partners can lead to significant success, especially in endurance-driven industries.
Love: In romance, male Horses are sincere and devoted but emotionally reserved. They seek understanding, long-term partners. Signs like Earth Dragon 1988 or Wood Dog 1994 foster harmonious, lasting relationships.
Female 1990 Metal Horse
Personality: Female 1990 Metal Horses are gentle and caring, yet inwardly resolute. They’re responsible, empathetic, but sensitive to criticism. Their intelligence and wisdom build strong relationships. They should cultivate confidence to defend their viewpoints.
Career: Female Horses are organized, thriving in finance, education, or healthcare. They’re diligent with clear plans but may hesitate before big opportunities. Overcoming indecision can lead to high positions in stable settings.
Love: Female Horses seek genuine, enduring love. They pair well with mature, attentive partners like Metal Goat 1991 or Fire Ox 1997. Mutual understanding creates a happy family.
Three Years of Misfortune for the 1990 Metal Horse
The Three Years of Misfortune (Tam Tai) are three consecutive years of challenges for each zodiac sign. For the 1990 Metal Horse, these years are Monkey, Rooster, and Dog, specifically:
- 1992 (Water Monkey), 1993 (Water Rooster), 1994 (Wood Dog);
- 2004, 2005, 2006;
- 2016, 2017, 2018;
- 2028, 2029, 2030;
- and so on.
During these years, the 1990 Metal Horse should be cautious with investments, business ventures, or major changes to minimize risks.
We hope this article from BTA Feng Shui has helped you understand the 1990 Chinese zodiac, from the Metal Horse’s element to colors, directions, and compatible signs. Applying feng shui wisely can bring luck and prosperity. If you found this article helpful, please give it a 5-star rating and share it with friends!
Explore other Horse zodiac years:
| Earth Horse 1978 | Metal Horse 1990 | Water Horse 2002 | Wood Horse 2014 | Fire Horse 2026 |
