1972 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Water Rat
壬子 · 鼠 Shǔ
1972 is the Year of the Water Rat. The Chinese year ran from Feb 15, 1972 to Feb 2, 1973, so anyone born in that span is a Water Rat. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 15, 1972, and earlier births belong to the Metal Pig year.
- Rat
- Water
- Yang
Born in 1972?
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.
1972 at a Glance
- Animal
- Rat 鼠 shǔ
- Element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 壬子 · sound element 桑柘木
- Begins
- Tuesday, Feb 15, 1972
- Ends
- Feb 2, 1973
- Age in 2026
- 53 or 54
- Next Rat year
- 1984
1972 Water Rat: A Late New Year
Lunar New Year 1972 came on Feb 15, 1972, so six weeks of birthdays, from January 1 to Feb 14, 1972, belong to the Metal Pig year rather than the Rat.
The year name 壬子 carries the sound element 桑柘木, “mulberry wood,” in Chinese tradition: the tree whose leaves feed silkworms. 1972 Rats turn 54 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1972?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1972 was on Tuesday, Feb 15, 1972, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 14, 1972 | Metal Pig | 辛亥 |
| Feb 15, 1972 to Feb 2, 1973 | Water Rat | 壬子 |
So someone born on Feb 14, 1972 is a Metal Pig, and someone born on Feb 15, 1972 is a Water Rat. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Water Rat?
A Water Rat combines the Rat with the element of the birth year. 1972 ends in 2, which gives Water. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Water Rat years include 1912 and 2032.
How Old Is a 1972 Rat, and When Is the Next Rat Year?
Someone born in 1972 turns 54 in 2026 and 55 in 2027. The last Rat year was 1960, and the next is 1984. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Rat years a 1972 Rat lives through:
- 1972Water RatBornThis page
- 1984 Chinese zodiacWood RatTurns 12
- 1996 Chinese zodiacFire RatTurns 24
- 2008 Chinese zodiacEarth RatTurns 36
- 2020 Chinese zodiacMetal RatTurns 48
- 2032Water RatTurns 60 · full cycle (花甲)
1972 Rat Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Rat's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 1972 Rat in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Rat to the next two years, and how old a 1972 Rat will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Turns 54. Link to the Horse: Clash (冲太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 55. Link to the Goat: Harm (害太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1972, and the other years of the decade.
- 1970 Chinese zodiacMetal DogFeb 6, 1970 to Jan 26, 1971
- 1971 Chinese zodiacMetal PigJan 27, 1971 to Feb 14, 1972
- 1972Water RatFeb 15, 1972 to Feb 2, 1973
- 1973 Chinese zodiacWater OxFeb 3, 1973 to Jan 22, 1974
- 1974 Chinese zodiacWood TigerJan 23, 1974 to Feb 10, 1975
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1970 Chinese zodiac1971 Chinese zodiac19721973 Chinese zodiac1974 Chinese zodiac1975 Chinese zodiac1976 Chinese zodiac1977 Chinese zodiac1978 Chinese zodiac1979 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1972 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1972?
1972 is the Year of the Water Rat. The Chinese year ran from Feb 15, 1972 to Feb 2, 1973.
What element is the 1972 Chinese zodiac?
Water. A year's element follows its last digit: 2 gives Water. The Rat's own fixed element is Water, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1972?
Lunar New Year 1972 fell on Tuesday, Feb 15, 1972. Born from January 1 to Feb 14, 1972, you are a Metal Pig. From Feb 15, 1972, you are a Water Rat.
How old is someone born in 1972?
In 2026 they turn 54, or are 53 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 55. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Rat year after 1972?
1984, the Year of the Wood Rat, begins on Feb 2, 1984.