Compatibility Between Zodiac Elements: Air, Fire, Water, Earth

Author:
Jaclyn Popola
Updated:
Jun 23, 2023

Read on to learn about element compatibility in the zodiac. You'll learn about the much-pondered compatibility of the fire and water signs, plus how the other elements interact.
Hibrida13 via Getty Images

Are We Compatible?

Most people are familiar with the zodiac and how their sign defines personality, dictates days, or determines compatibility with other sun signs. There is also a moon sign to tell you which house of the zodiac the moon was in on the day you were born. The position of the moon is said to have a great influence on your emotional side and the way you operate within a relationship.

But every zodiac sign belongs to one of four main elements: Air to breathe, Fire to warm us from the cold, Water to cleanse us and quench our thirst, and Earth to live on. These elements describe the four personality types associated with the zodiac. In addition to describing basic character traits, the astrology of the elements is amazingly accurate at determining how two people will get along (an Air with a Water, for example) and whether they will have a negative or positive effect on the other.

Elemental compatibility of the zodiac
Vedrana Filipović | Unsplash

The bulk of this article discusses the compatibility of the four elements, including these arrangements:

Air-Fire
Earth-Water
Fire-Water
Fire-Earth
Earth-Air
Air-Water

Design spells out Earth Air Fire Water forwards, backwards and upside down

The elements combine astrologically the same way they do in nature. When two people of the same element get together, it is not usually a good combination. It hinders growth because the individuals become too comfortable together.

Relationships need balance and growth, and when two Earth signs unite, for example, they ground each other so much that they become paralyzed and cause inertia to occur. Because they are so unbalanced, one person usually steps forward to dominate the other or swallow her whole. Here are the ways different signs match up.

Elemental Compatibility

Below is an overview of how various elements interact and get along.

1. Air-Fire

Fire needs air to survive, but too much of it will make the flames rage out of control. Air doesn't really need Fire, though Fire is able to heat air and cause it to rise. Air also provides concepts and ideas for the Fire sign to act on and forge into reality.

2. Earth-Water

Water nourishes the Earth sign so it may grow to its fullest potential, and feels comfortable finding a home in Earth. Earth loves Water's life force and giving energy.

3. Fire-Water

These two signs must be careful when interacting—water can put out fire, but if the fire is large enough, it can dry up water completely. Water can provide sensitivity and patience to his fiery counterpart, whereas Fire can provide motivation and the courage to act that the Water sign usually lacks. In order for a relationship to work, Fire and Water need to have a great deal of respect because each has the capability to destroy the other.

4. Fire-Earth

Fire sets the Earth ablaze with passion and intensity, whereas Earth provides the Fire sign with some much-needed discipline and acts as a grounding force in the Fire sign's life. Earth can certainly contain fire but when Fire rages it can temporarily rob Earth of its life-giving nutrients.

5. Earth-Air

Depending on its mood (and therefore its temperature) Air can either provide Earth with loving warmth or give her an icy chill and cold shoulder. It can sometimes be a struggle for Earth to get Air to come down to her level and see the world for what it is—a beautiful reality, rather than a concept to be analyzed.

6. Air-Water

Not a favorable combination because air and water can combine to form destructive natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and tsunamis. These two signs can work together if they are able to not let small conflicts snowball until they get out of control.

Comments

Molly on April 25, 2020:

There is so much more than just the elements, there is ruling planets and other aspects to our signs which helps make up our personality. There is truth in these element compatibilities but more depth to it also :)

shaun on March 30, 2020:

me ( gemini-cancer cusp, june 23 ) get along with Geminis,Taurus and sag since i have 2 close friends which march and Dec and the girl (gemini, june 15) get along so good and we are attracted to eachother so much.

dont believe on these astrology signs stuff

shaun on March 30, 2020:

this is fake, i get along with geminis and i am cancer-gemini cusp since i am born 23 june

i am attracted to gemini so much

Kali on March 05, 2020:

Anyone air, ur mine!

- 8 year old

Nagendra Kumar Shukla on December 17, 2019:

Thanks

Never read this type of approach. I am thankful for enlightening mine.

Regards

Bluesage on April 29, 2019:

As a strong-willed emotionally intelligent free-spirited independent Pisces I find that I like Gemini and Sagittarius the most and Aries I don't really get along with Earth signs because they are overbearing and they are controlling and they know that controlling me is a big No-No I am not a submissive Pisces so therefore I don't do what other people tell me to do unless they want to get cursed the f*** out I do like Capricorns every once in awhile Virgos and Taurus are way too controlling for my taste I'm not a big fan of Leo's they are very overbearing for me and they want attention 24 hours and I need an audience I'm not a social butterfly that much I prefer being so low it independent on my own I need someone who can deal with that cuz I'm not conforming my life somebody will have to confirm their life to mines and I'm extremely stubborn yes as a Pisces woman I don't do well with other water signs unless we are best friends or buddies dating them is very exhausting I really don't care too much for these three signs Leo Taurus and other Pisces highly annoying and stupid

Cj on November 19, 2018:

I'm a water sign (cancer) dating a earth sign. I love her so much, but her practically leaves me feeling empty inside, I feed off emotional pulls! My moon is in Scorpio lol. I'm always over thinking what she's feeling. Which really irritates me. Talk to your water sign!! Lol

Brandy on April 25, 2018:

I'm a water sign who prefer earth signs because I love and respect their control and grounded personalities. They are extremely intelligent and cool. They also have a tenderness to them that is subtle. It's beautiful to behold. Also I hate dating other water signs. I have no attraction to Pisces what so ever. Cancer makes me to irratic emotionally. It's too much of the same thing. Also they try to dominate. Alot of people think Scopio is dominating but we are decisive and we are extremely tight to build bonds with. We prefer controlling our selves unless you show us you won't abuse that control we keep it for ourselves.

Cap on March 26, 2018:

My boyfriend is a fire sign and I am an earth sign and this reading is accurate. I keep him grounded while he gets me to live a little more (Sag and Cap)

Faith on March 12, 2018:

I am a fire sign (Leo) and I feel very attracted to Cancer, they are some of my favorite people and I feel like I can connect with them more than any other sign. I was in a relationship with a Libra and it was absolute torture, we had terrible communication, he was possessive and jealous of anything I would do without him weather that be going somewhere with my family or friends. It was a terrible experience for me, but I hope somebody out there finds themselves a person they can connect on the same level with no matter what their element is.

Ban Dumanging on October 22, 2017:

wow its really good reading this kinds of signs.. it makes me feel good knowing my AIR sign...

ronald on July 29, 2017:

I'm a Gemini and its close to impossible to have a water sign as a friend or family

Mazey jia on March 24, 2017:

I think you left out an element called metal !?!??

What are the best elements compatible with the metal sign?

jasmine on January 30, 2015:

My boyfriend is a water sign and I am a fire sign and we are three years and counting. We love hard and fight hard but in the end it makes us stronger. When we first got together he would never stand up for himself now he actually does. Also when we got together I was a spitfire and he has help calm my ass down and not say everything I want to.

GirlofAries on October 01, 2014:

I'm an aries but i find my friend who is an air sign (libra) really hard to get on with sometimes, and i always seem to fall in love with water signs...

Maybe i just have bad luck

sy on April 13, 2013:

I am a virgo and with a virgo I love him and he love me but sometime we can't get along we have been marriage for 10 years all together for 11 years is there any hope?

Ariesbaby on February 17, 2013:

I am soooo In love with my Virgo man, he is my best friend.

Andy on July 17, 2012:

"EARTH" & "WATER" Create LIFE ...

Water Nourishes Earth

Earth Provides stability to Fluid Water

PZ on May 30, 2012:

@ Pricilla Well, that's for you to decide. My parents are both Earth signs (Taurus & Virgo), and they've been happily married for 16 years. But Water is a good sign for Earths to be with. It really depends on the personality of the guys you like

Aldo on May 10, 2012:

Im Air sign (libra) an i get along well with all elemental signs as long as they don't have their negative ways i cant deal with but the hardest for me to get along with is water because their to desperate for attention to all of them especially pisces air signs are loving an all but one thing ive learned about us is we hate being controlled an to the girl that wanted advice that's a scorpio only thing i can think of that yall scorpios tend to do is try to control a situation an libras don't like that it pisses us off easily when our mate tries to control our lives an ultimately if your doing that he will end up just leaving you but if this isn't the problem hes probably just immature which even i can say i hate about some ppl under my own sign an your goin to have to tell him to grow up an if he doesn't then ya gotta leave him alone

Karen on April 15, 2012:

I'm Air and my man is Fire and wow the passion between us is unbelievable, I love it.....he certainly has me chasing him for more that's for sure.

princess on April 11, 2012:

Your sign doesn't change its still the same you don't go from one astrology sign to another, Nothing has changed.

Scorpio23 on March 31, 2012:

I'm a water sign (scorpio) and my boyfriend is an air sign (aquarius). We are great together but that doesn't mean I would have the same experience with surgery air sign. There is a lot more to astrology than just sun signs and elements. On the surface we make no sense but when you dig down deep you begin to understand. Typically water and air don't mix. Every once in awhile you get your exceptions but best bet for a water sign is usually other water signs or an earth sign.

rachelle on March 12, 2012:

i'm a water sign (Scorpio) and in relationship with an air sigh (Libra). keep on having problems with him. he's with his friends and his interests. he gives me no importance and priority unless he needs me for something. i need advice plzz on compatibility with air sign

Silly on March 03, 2012:

I have 5 friends. Two Virgos(Earth) and they are so fun to be with and we get along. Never argued. Then one is a Capricorn(Earth), we are always fighting and causing problems. Then a Sagittarius(Fire) and we get along and never argued. Last one is a Gemini(air) and we fought once but iv'e been friends with her for 9 years. I'm Cancer(water) and i have friends from all the signs. I get along with fire, air, and earth. There will be arguments and problems but that's how it is. You can't just have a perfect friendship!

Jelena on February 29, 2012:

I am an Earth sign (Capricorn) and I was married to an air sign (Libra) and it was a torture: two alliens together, almost zero understanding.

Today I am married to Pisces which is a water sign and I feel amazing, this is the perfect combination, 100% comfortable feeling of being together.

Priscilla on February 21, 2012:

I'm a Taurus (earth), and I really like this Scorpio(water), but ppl keep putting me with this Virgo(another earth), who I only think of as a really great friend. What's the best choice for me water or earth?

Scorpio23 on January 25, 2012:

I posted four months ago about my relationship with my aquarian and it's still going great. In fact it's better than great. Definitely the best relationship i've been in thus far. We both know we are going to get married to each other. He just gets me, which is unusual, and I get him.

Princess on January 14, 2012:

My Man is a Fire and I'm an Earth sign I Love him. Were together for five years almost 6.

Pallvi Sharma on December 12, 2011:

I am sign of Constant Water and he is with the sign of Mutable fire. We are spending our time in great way with giving each other time and i think its great combination. We are together from last 3 years and our friendship turned to long time marriage relationship and we both are very happy. So be ready with this combination if you are one of them ?

Risa on December 05, 2011:

I am a Libra and therefore am an Air sign, I feel that I work best with Fire, Air, and Water signs. Earth signs have been more of a challenge, but I am closer to my mother (Virgo) than I am with my father (Cancer). The one I am in love with is a Leo and we are very close...we have been together for years. Kind of grew up together. I had a friend of whom was an Aquarius and we were friends for 6 or so years and I have a friend who is a Scorpio. I see relationships a bit deeper than just our sign placements, I believe we are more complex than that and that we are all unique.

GeminiGirl on November 20, 2011:

I am a Gifted 5th grader interested in astrology. I am an air sign, but my best friends ar an aries (fire) pisces (water) and virgo(earth.) We get along perfectly fine, this article is a little fake. Also, My virgo crush and I get along well, earth/air actually works pretty well. Some of this chart just doesn't seem real.

Pisces on October 22, 2011:

I agree that the water-air combination never works out as a relationship. Air signs (mainly Gemini) are just too critical and impatient. However, my childhood best friend was an Aquarius, we got along great. Also my father is a Libra, and I get along with him a lot better than I do with my mother (virgo). So maybe it's just Gemini's? lol.

I also tend to be attracted to fire signs, especially Leo's. I'm not really big on dating other water signs though, I tend to be most interested in people who can offer qualities I don't have, naturally.

NurturingCancer on October 21, 2011:

I am a Cancer (obviously by my name) and my boy-friend is a Virgo. I can communicate so well with him and I have never had a relationship like this before. Water nourishes Earth sign, verry true indeed.

But he nourishes me just as much as I nourish him :)

@ Scorpio23 on October 09, 2011:

Man I feel for you :p been down that road... U must be an eagle and not a scorpio ;)

eventually aquarius will let you down (unintentionally though)

Scorpio23 on September 24, 2011:

I'm a scorpio, and my element is water and I am very much in love with an aquarius, who's element is air. We've were friends for 7 years before we started to date and we have always gotten along. There is a deep respect between each other. Astrology says we don't make sense but we couldn't be more compatible.

rose on August 07, 2011:

I think fire&air or earth&water work, if not then same element combinations can be good too. My star sign is water (cancer) and moon sign is fire (leo) and I've always felt deepest about men with earth sun and air moon, 1 was taurus with a libra moon, 1 virgo with a gemini moon and the guy I'm with at the moment who I love deeply and have been with him for 3 years (and known him since I was young) is a capricorn, aquarius moon.

aires chick on August 06, 2011:

Im a fire and i initially are attracted to Virgos (Earth) I find them intriguing!!! ;)

scorpio person on July 23, 2011:

i was with another scorpio but then we broke up .....

tee hache on May 28, 2011:

I'm a fire sign (Leo) with Libra rising, and ONLY tolerate air, earth, and other fire signs. Cannot and will not deal with that watery emotionalism. Drives me up the wall!

Jason on March 22, 2011:

Hey , I think that EARTH & WATER are made for each other . WATER nourishes EARTH wheras EARTH supports WATER to create LIFE on this planet .

I'm a SCORPIO (Water) & I love a VIRGO (Earth) .

Joey on March 22, 2011:

I'm an Earth (Virgo) & madly in love with a Water (Cancer) . I think that EARTH - WATER combo is the best .

hey yall on February 04, 2011:

Evangeline you are just reading your horoscopes and choosing what suits you. Some Virgos are like Cancers and will stay with people that are not good for them because they genuinely want the relationship to work. I know you said this 7 months ago but I am willing to be you 2 are no longer together and if you are it's very rocky.

jeet on January 26, 2011:

gemini is air sign, not water..

Natalie on January 23, 2011:

I'm a fire sign and I'm currently dating a water sign, and I have been for nearly 3 years.

Our relationship is pretty easy going, but never boring.

But if we have a fight it can get quite heated, I find that he's always trying to make everything right, but once I'm in that mindset I get very defensive and stubborn and won't let it go.

I always feel horrible later and we tend to make up pretty quickly. I've found it's a good match.

I've also dated an earth and another fire. They weren't as good.

I'm quite happy with water at the moment. ;)

Rhiannon on January 14, 2011:

Earth & Earth but I can be lazy & he keeps me motivated. Anyone willing and able to read our charts would be greatly appreciated. E-mail me @ RhiannonNaumann@Hotmail.com.

Cindy on January 13, 2011:

I have been a fire and married a water. I now am a water and he is air. they say the same for both, that they are a bad mix. However, I have known this man since 14, and I feel he keeps me grounded. Where as I keep him motivated and able to do the things he normally would not. So, don't believe all said. 20 yrs of marriage answer anyones questions? LOL!!! He makes me crazy at times but in any relationship, who doesn't? Signs or not!

Beezy on January 12, 2011:

My man is Earth and I am fire :)

Madelyne on December 25, 2010:

Im a water sign-scorpio and my sister is a fire sign- aries. We're exact opposites. She is waayy to nice and i'm hardcore. She is so naggy. I hate that. Every time we fight its like an inevidable disaster. My to besties are virgo and leo. We are all like sisters. I have an attracrion for earth signs.

p.s- water can totally dominate fire and not all water signs are too emotional, we just have a lot of feelings

Anon on December 16, 2010:

Well you have to remember, your rising sign and what sign your moon is in can also effect the compatibility

Miss Zara on December 11, 2010:

as water sign, i always having problem with earth & water sign but i have a great connection with air & fire sign. it's weird but true!

topher on November 30, 2010:

Fire and Fire is awesome. It creates more fire. can be draining at times. But as the above suggests, as i could never put into words: the increased sense of comfort may cause dreams to become deferred.

mistisa on November 29, 2010:

What about Fire and Fire?

jade on November 29, 2010:

hey there i have been reading a lot of your suggestions and stuff and i have a best friend who is air and i am water and we never argue we never fight and we feel so connected its weird lol .... :)

Andrew on October 01, 2010:

i just wanted to add that as a water sign i can only become friends with air signs i find them too logical and analysing for relationships. i've noticed i am attracted to fire signs warm and outgoing people. i always find this stuff fascinating on a spiritual whole

Nikki on September 28, 2010:

So then how can you say the best for me who is an air sign is a fire when there could be high levels if disrespect and there are no arguments which means to me who is a water sign, it means that there are lies in between the two if you because that fire for air may feel warm and cozy but it's fake 100%

water signs and air signs match because together there are unbreakable bonds and there clearly wouldn't be any balance with out an argument or disagreement

It's human nature

rachi on September 27, 2010:

I'm an Air sign who's dated earth water and fire....earth was too controling n posseive but I could always talk to them about anything...water was always emoitionally drainning, we fought n argued about everything but they were always sensitive to my feelings and made me smile...but my best match was my fire sign there was such a stronge bond from te moment we met, I got my independents and my stability we almost never aruged and he always made me happy I love his drive and his passion for life....but if u let them dominate u they will use and disrespect worse then any other element.

ya ya on August 23, 2010:

i am a Fire element i can bring warmth to those that needs it.

ya ya on August 23, 2010:

I am a Fire sign i feel hot right now because its hot me love hot.

Emily on July 09, 2010:

I'm the Air element and i always seem to fall in love with the water element, but i'm always unsuccessful.

shelby on June 30, 2010:

The Gemini saying a water sign is too emotional? Too funny.

Evangeline on June 13, 2010:

Well I've been reading up astrology for an online guy whom Ive been talking to for about 9 months. I really like this guy.

However, western astrology says we're not compatible.. Hes gemini and Im virgo.

Most of what he western astrology says about my personality is untrue. But when I look at the Chinese Astrology it says we are very compatible, he was born in the year of the horse and I was born in the year of the dog. The chinese astrology fits my personality more accurately than the western version.

Our elements are also compatible, he's earth and Im water.

abbod on January 28, 2010:

im pisces ihv problem 4 gemini

but what s near 2 water air or fire

Michael on December 31, 2009:

Im a Virgo, and im with a Scorpio

Water-Earth

Jessica on November 02, 2009:

Make a thing for Bisexual, gay, lesbian people. it willl be handy.......:D

aiR on October 01, 2009:

I agree with James, you are crazy (but then so am I).

I've seen all combinations and I think the 2 best ones are FIRE-AIR and EARTH-WATER. Same-element combos can be fun (so comfortable) but you are so right: it is harder to move forward and grow.

Knowing the element of the people around you is so helpful. For me it is now easier to understand why certain people react in certain way to things... and most recently I've been able to guess what element or star sign a person is.

On the AIR sign point of view (I'm gemini) I can say that the most uncomfortable moments I've gone through in my life have been when interacting with WATER signs. That doesn't mean I can't get along with them (I have many WATERLY friends and I love them), but I do have to make an effort sometimes. It is as if there's a huge wall in between, I just don't feel understood by them and they're just too emotional for me to handle. I need to be careful not to hurt them basically, and when they're hurting I just dunno what to do, seriously.

The EARTH signs for me are kinda easier (Specially Virgo for me) but still, big barrier in between. We are simply in different worlds.

The FIRE signs, deary me... pure passion. Simply love them, even though you said in your text AIR doesn't need FIRE... once AIR gets FIRE, it can't live without it.

meha on September 18, 2009:

yea - i agree - i mean as if :P

James on June 19, 2009:

You're crazy.