ButtonCompanion in Life
The Chinese concept of the companion in life does not refer to another person, but rather to an inner person within an individual. This inner companion acts as a guide, guardian, or devil's advocate. Your companion in life is determined by your hour of birth. Every two-hour slot of the day is governed by one of the 12 animal signs.
Do not assume that you have the attributes of both your animal sign and your inner companion animal sign. Instead, your companion in life modifies the traits of your animal sign. For example, tigers are usually reckless and unpredictable people. A tiger whose inner companion is the ox, however, will be more stable than would otherwise be expected.
If a person has the same animal sign and inner companion, then they have the potential to balance the negative and positive aspects of their character.

ButtonThe Companion in Life and Compatibility
The compatibility of different animals can be radically alterd by their respective companions in life. For example, horse and rat are naturally antagonistic toward each other. If the rat's companion in life is a horse and the horse's companion in life is rat, however, then the reverse can be true.
The 24-hour cycle of animals is shown in the table. The hours given refer to local standard time. If you were born in a month when daylight saving or summer time were in use, you will need to deduct an hour (sometimes two) from your birth time before looking up the sign of your companion.
Time of Birth Sign of Companion
11 pm - 1 am
1 am - 3 am
3 am - 5 am
5 am - 7 am
7am - 9 am
9 am - 11am
11 am - 1 pm
1 pm - 3 pm
3 pm - 5 pm
5 pm - 7 pm
7 pm - 9 pm
9 pm - 11 pm
 Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig