1982 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Water Dog
壬戌 · 狗 Gǒu
1982 is the Year of the Water Dog. The Chinese year ran from Jan 25, 1982 to Feb 12, 1983, so anyone born in that span is a Water Dog. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Jan 25, 1982, and earlier births belong to the Metal Rooster year.
- Dog
- Water
- Yang
Born in 1982?
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.
1982 at a Glance
- Animal
- Dog 狗 gǒu
- Element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 壬戌 · sound element 大海水
- Begins
- Monday, Jan 25, 1982
- Ends
- Feb 12, 1983
- Age in 2026
- 43 or 44
- Next Dog year
- 1994
1982 Water Dog
In Chinese myth the god Erlang hunts with a loyal heavenly hound (哮天犬), who helps him fight the Monkey King. The Dog in tradition is the faithful companion of the twelve.
The 1982 year started on Jan 25, 1982 and ran until Feb 12, 1983. Its year name 壬戌 has the sound element 大海水, “water of the great sea.” 1982 Dogs turn 44 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1982?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1982 was on Monday, Jan 25, 1982, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Jan 24, 1982 | Metal Rooster | 辛酉 |
| Jan 25, 1982 to Feb 12, 1983 | Water Dog | 壬戌 |
So someone born on Jan 24, 1982 is a Metal Rooster, and someone born on Jan 25, 1982 is a Water Dog. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Water Dog?
A Water Dog combines the Dog with the element of the birth year. 1982 ends in 2, which gives Water. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Water Dog years include 1922.
How Old Is a 1982 Dog, and When Is the Next Dog Year?
Someone born in 1982 turns 44 in 2026 and 45 in 2027. The last Dog year was 1970, and the next is 1994. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Dog years a 1982 Dog lives through:
- 1982Water DogBornThis page
- 1994 Chinese zodiacWood DogTurns 12
- 2006 Chinese zodiacFire DogTurns 24
- 2018 Chinese zodiacEarth DogTurns 36
- 2030Metal DogTurns 48
1982 Dog Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Dog's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 1982 Dog in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Dog to the next two years, and how old a 1982 Dog will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Supported
Turns 44. Link to the Horse: Trine partner (三合).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Turns 45. Link to the Goat: Punishment (刑太岁), Break (破太岁).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1982, and the other years of the decade.
- 1980 Chinese zodiacMetal MonkeyFeb 16, 1980 to Feb 4, 1981
- 1981 Chinese zodiacMetal RoosterFeb 5, 1981 to Jan 24, 1982
- 1982Water DogJan 25, 1982 to Feb 12, 1983
- 1983 Chinese zodiacWater PigFeb 13, 1983 to Feb 1, 1984
- 1984 Chinese zodiacWood RatFeb 2, 1984 to Feb 19, 1985
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1980 Chinese zodiac1981 Chinese zodiac19821983 Chinese zodiac1984 Chinese zodiac1985 Chinese zodiac1986 Chinese zodiac1987 Chinese zodiac1988 Chinese zodiac1989 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1982 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1982?
1982 is the Year of the Water Dog. The Chinese year ran from Jan 25, 1982 to Feb 12, 1983.
What element is the 1982 Chinese zodiac?
Water. A year's element follows its last digit: 2 gives Water. The Dog's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1982?
Lunar New Year 1982 fell on Monday, Jan 25, 1982. Born from January 1 to Jan 24, 1982, you are a Metal Rooster. From Jan 25, 1982, you are a Water Dog.
How old is someone born in 1982?
In 2026 they turn 44, or are 43 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 45. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Dog year after 1982?
1994, the Year of the Wood Dog, begins on Feb 10, 1994.