2002 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Water Horse
壬午 · 马 Mǎ
2002 is the Year of the Water Horse. The Chinese year ran from Feb 12, 2002 to Jan 31, 2003, so anyone born in that span is a Water Horse. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 12, 2002, and earlier births belong to the Metal Snake year.
- Horse
- Water
- Yang
Born in 2002?
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.
2002 at a Glance
- Animal
- Horse 马 mǎ
- Element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 壬午 · sound element 杨柳木
- Begins
- Tuesday, Feb 12, 2002
- Ends
- Jan 31, 2003
- Age in 2026
- 23 or 24
- Next Horse year
- 2014
2002 Water Horse: Own Sign Year at 24
People born in 2002 turn 24 in 2026, a Horse year, so it is their second own sign year (本命年). In Chinese tradition that calls for steady plans rather than big gambles, which suits a year of first jobs and moves for many.
The 2002 year began on Feb 12, 2002, so births before it are Metal Snakes, and ended on Jan 31, 2003. Its year name 壬午 carries the sound element 杨柳木, “willow wood.”
Born in January or Early February 2002?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 2002 was on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2002, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 11, 2002 | Metal Snake | 辛巳 |
| Feb 12, 2002 to Jan 31, 2003 | Water Horse | 壬午 |
So someone born on Feb 11, 2002 is a Metal Snake, and someone born on Feb 12, 2002 is a Water Horse. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Water Horse?
A Water Horse combines the Horse with the element of the birth year. 2002 ends in 2, which gives Water. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Water Horse years include 1942.
How Old Is a 2002 Horse, and When Is the Next Horse Year?
Someone born in 2002 turns 24 in 2026 and 25 in 2027. The last Horse year was 1990, and the next is 2014. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Horse years a 2002 Horse lives through:
- 2002Water HorseBornThis page
- 2014 Chinese zodiacWood HorseTurns 12
- 2026 Chinese zodiacFire HorseTurns 24
2002 Horse Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Horse's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 2002 Horse in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Horse to the next two years, and how old a 2002 Horse will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Own Sign Year
Turns 24. Link to the Horse: Own sign year (本命年), Punishment (刑太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Supported
Turns 25. Link to the Goat: Secret Friend (六合).
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 2002, and the other years of the decade.
- 2000 Chinese zodiacMetal DragonFeb 5, 2000 to Jan 23, 2001
- 2001 Chinese zodiacMetal SnakeJan 24, 2001 to Feb 11, 2002
- 2002Water HorseFeb 12, 2002 to Jan 31, 2003
- 2003 Chinese zodiacWater GoatFeb 1, 2003 to Jan 21, 2004
- 2004 Chinese zodiacWood MonkeyJan 22, 2004 to Feb 8, 2005
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
2000 Chinese zodiac2001 Chinese zodiac20022003 Chinese zodiac2004 Chinese zodiac2005 Chinese zodiac2006 Chinese zodiac2007 Chinese zodiac2008 Chinese zodiac2009 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
2002 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 2002?
2002 is the Year of the Water Horse. The Chinese year ran from Feb 12, 2002 to Jan 31, 2003.
What element is the 2002 Chinese zodiac?
Water. A year's element follows its last digit: 2 gives Water. The Horse's own fixed element is Fire, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 2002?
Lunar New Year 2002 fell on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2002. Born from January 1 to Feb 11, 2002, you are a Metal Snake. From Feb 12, 2002, you are a Water Horse.
How old is someone born in 2002?
In 2026 they turn 24, or are 23 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 25. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Horse year after 2002?
2014, the Year of the Wood Horse, begins on Jan 31, 2014.