1962 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Water Tiger
壬寅 · 虎 Hǔ
1962 is the Year of the Water Tiger. The Chinese year ran from Feb 5, 1962 to Jan 24, 1963, so anyone born in that span is a Water Tiger. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 5, 1962, and earlier births belong to the Metal Ox year.
- Tiger
- Water
- Yang
Born in 1962?
Enter your birth date to check, down to the exact Lunar New Year.
Month and day are optional. Add them if you were born in January or February. See January and February Chinese zodiac.
1962 at a Glance
- Animal
- Tiger 虎 hǔ
- Element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 壬寅 · sound element 金箔金
- Begins
- Monday, Feb 5, 1962
- Ends
- Jan 24, 1963
- Age in 2026
- 63 or 64
- Next Tiger year
- 1974
1962 Water Tiger, the Guardian
Chinese families once dressed small children in tiger-head hats and shoes (虎头鞋), trusting the Tiger to scare off harm. In tradition the sign stands for courage and protection.
The 1962 year began on Feb 5, 1962 and ended on Jan 24, 1963; earlier births are Metal Oxs. Its year name 壬寅 has the sound element 金箔金, “gold leaf.” 1962 Tigers turn 64 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1962?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1962 was on Monday, Feb 5, 1962, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 4, 1962 | Metal Ox | 辛丑 |
| Feb 5, 1962 to Jan 24, 1963 | Water Tiger | 壬寅 |
So someone born on Feb 4, 1962 is a Metal Ox, and someone born on Feb 5, 1962 is a Water Tiger. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Water Tiger?
A Water Tiger combines the Tiger with the element of the birth year. 1962 ends in 2, which gives Water. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Water Tiger years include 1902 and 2022.
How Old Is a 1962 Tiger, and When Is the Next Tiger Year?
Someone born in 1962 turns 64 in 2026 and 65 in 2027. The last Tiger year was 1950, and the next is 1974. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Tiger years a 1962 Tiger lives through:
- 1962Water TigerBornThis page
- 1974 Chinese zodiacWood TigerTurns 12
- 1986 Chinese zodiacFire TigerTurns 24
- 1998 Chinese zodiacEarth TigerTurns 36
- 2010 Chinese zodiacMetal TigerTurns 48
- 2022 Chinese zodiacWater TigerTurns 60 · full cycle (花甲)
- 2034Wood TigerTurns 72
1962 Tiger Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Tiger's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 1962 Tiger in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Tiger to the next two years, and how old a 1962 Tiger will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Supported
Turns 64. Link to the Horse: Trine partner (三合).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
Turns 65. No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1962, and the other years of the decade.
- 1960 Chinese zodiacMetal RatJan 28, 1960 to Feb 14, 1961
- 1961 Chinese zodiacMetal OxFeb 15, 1961 to Feb 4, 1962
- 1962Water TigerFeb 5, 1962 to Jan 24, 1963
- 1963 Chinese zodiacWater RabbitJan 25, 1963 to Feb 12, 1964
- 1964 Chinese zodiacWood DragonFeb 13, 1964 to Feb 1, 1965
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1960 Chinese zodiac1961 Chinese zodiac19621963 Chinese zodiac1964 Chinese zodiac1965 Chinese zodiac1966 Chinese zodiac1967 Chinese zodiac1968 Chinese zodiac1969 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1962 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1962?
1962 is the Year of the Water Tiger. The Chinese year ran from Feb 5, 1962 to Jan 24, 1963.
What element is the 1962 Chinese zodiac?
Water. A year's element follows its last digit: 2 gives Water. The Tiger's own fixed element is Wood, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1962?
Lunar New Year 1962 fell on Monday, Feb 5, 1962. Born from January 1 to Feb 4, 1962, you are a Metal Ox. From Feb 5, 1962, you are a Water Tiger.
How old is someone born in 1962?
In 2026 they turn 64, or are 63 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 65. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Tiger year after 1962?
1974, the Year of the Wood Tiger, begins on Jan 23, 1974.