Chinese Zodiac Allies & Secret Friends: San He and Liu He Guide

To choose a Chinese zodiac ally charm, start with your own animal. Liu He (六合) gives you one traditional partner; San He (三合) gives you two allies in a three-animal group. A ready-combined bracelet or keychain lets you carry the animals together. A single ally charm is a simpler alternative.

These are customary symbolic relationships, not a test of whether two people should date, marry or work together. A charm can express a wish for support and harmony without promising to change another person or prevent every difficulty.

San He and Liu He: what is the difference?

San He means a three-way combination. Each group contains three animals, including your own sign. For a Goat person, that group is Pig, Rabbit and Goat. The other two animals are the Goat’s allies.

Liu He refers to six pairs across the twelve signs. It does not mean that one person has six partners. For Goat, the partner is Horse. English-language Feng Shui shops often call this partner a “secret friend.”

Chinese zodiac allies and secret friends chart

The last column lists the other two members of your San He group. Add your own sign to see the full trio.

Traditional pairings checked against the Yangzhou Taoist Association’s San He and Liu He explanation. “Secret friend” terminology is also used in WOFS’s discussion of zodiac partners. These sources describe a tradition, not measured product effects.

Before using the chart, check the exact birth date if you were born in January or February. The popular lunar zodiac and BaZi’s solar-year boundary can differ. Do not assume the animal changes on January 1; use one stated convention consistently, or ask Mike to check the full birth details for ritual preparation.

Choose by how you will actually use it

For keys or a bag: one combined design

Choose the Copper Zodiac Ally Keychain if you want the matching animals already assembled. It has four San He designs and six Liu He designs, all US$49.90. Select the design containing your own animal. A Goat person can pick “San He: Pig, Rabbit, Goat” or “Liu He: Horse, Goat.” Each option is one complete keychain.

For a smaller gift: one animal charm

The Red Agate Zodiac Phone Charm is US$39.90, with twelve animals and red or black cord. Pick the recipient’s own animal for a personal birth-year gift, or their partner animal for an ally theme. The carved component is listed at approximately 26 × 10 mm. It is decorative, so attach it to a suitable case loop rather than relying on it as a phone safety strap.

For allies in one bracelet: select your own zodiac

The Obsidian & Aquamarine Zodiac Bracelet combines your sign, its San He allies and its Liu He partner with a prosperity motif. Select your own sign in the product options. For example, a Goat person selects Goat, not Horse: the Goat design already includes the companion animals.

Prices are $119.90 for 8 mm beads, $149.90 for 10 mm and $179.90 for 12 mm. Their stated wrist ranges are 15–16, 16–17 and 17–18 cm respectively. Bead size affects appearance and fit, not the strength of a blessing. The 2027 zodiac bracelet selector links directly to each animal.

Prefer one carved animal with no combined ally motif? The clear quartz zodiac bracelet starts at $79.90. Its 14–19 cm options are bracelet lengths, so compare the measurement wording carefully.

For everyday jewelry: check fit before symbolism

The Black Obsidian Zodiac Bead Bracelet starts at US$49.90. Choose 8, 10 or 12 mm beads, then a finished length from 14–19 cm. An 8 mm bracelet looks lighter; larger beads feel more substantial. Compare a comfortable bracelet you own: finished length and wrist circumference are different measurements.

For a shelf or desk: choose the actual carving

The Black Obsidian Zodiac Figurines cost US$39.90 for small versions and US$69.90 for large versions, per figurine. Use your own animal alone, your Liu He pair, or your full San He trio. Small and large versions can have different carvings; check the selected photograph and dimensions. For example, the small Goat is listed at approximately 66 × 43 mm, while the large Goat is 95 × 90 × 42 mm.

You do not need to buy a keychain, bracelet and set of figures together. Choose the form you will enjoy using. More pieces or a higher price do not establish a stronger blessing.

How does this fit a 2027 Tai Sui choice?

The annual Tai Sui relationships and your fixed zodiac allies answer different questions. In the 2027 Goat year, a Goat person can still choose Horse for Liu He, or Rabbit and Pig for San He. The chart does not change simply because the year changes.

For the signs discussed in our 2027 guide: Ox pairs with Rat; Rat pairs with Ox; Dog pairs with Rabbit. An animal’s annual Tai Sui classification does not erase its place in this fixed pairing system. A full BaZi reading can consider more than the birth-year animal.

An ally motif is also a different choice from booking a dedicated Tai Sui ritual. If your intention is specifically annual Tai Sui preparation, compare the talisman and ritual options in the 2027 Tai Sui guide. Avoid buying several overlapping services without checking what each already includes.

Two details worth checking before ordering

Guardian deities are a separate convention. The Zodiac Guardian Woven Cord Bracelet uses Buddhist guardian motifs. Two signs sharing a guardian are not automatically a San He or Liu He pair. Read the animal-combination chart when choosing an ally design.

Your blessing is personal. Mike Wang hosts kaiguang at Chongyang Palace in China, using the recipient’s birth details and intention. This is included with the physical items above. Share the recipient’s name, birth date, local birth time if known, birthplace and wish in the preparation form; do not guess unknown details.

Allow up to 20 business days from order to delivery, including 10 business days for sourcing and preparation and up to 10 for shipping. For detailed fit advice, use the bracelet buying guide. For an uncertain zodiac boundary or a gift, ask Mike before choosing.

Choose your 2027 zodiac guide

For wealth, career, love and protection intentions, choose from all twelve zodiac guides and bracelet designs. Each guide compares real materials, sizes and symbolic uses.