2013 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Water Snake
癸巳 · 蛇 Shé
2013 is the Year of the Water Snake. The Chinese year ran from Feb 10, 2013 to Jan 30, 2014, so anyone born in that span is a Water Snake. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 10, 2013, and earlier births belong to the Water Dragon year.
- Snake
- Water
- Yin
Born in 2013?
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.
2013 at a Glance
- Animal
- Snake 蛇 shé
- Element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year name
- 癸巳 · sound element 长流水
- Begins
- Sunday, Feb 10, 2013
- Ends
- Jan 30, 2014
- Age in 2026
- 12 or 13
- Next Snake year
- 2025
The 2013 Water Snake, the “Little Dragon”
In everyday Chinese the Snake is often called the “little dragon” (小龙), a polite name for the sign that follows the Dragon. A 2013 Snake turns 13 in 2026.
Lunar New Year 2013 fell on Feb 10, 2013, so births up to Feb 9, 2013 are Water Dragons. The year ended on Jan 30, 2014, which means most January 2014 birthdays are Water Snakes too.
Born in January or Early February 2013?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 2013 was on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 9, 2013 | Water Dragon | 壬辰 |
| Feb 10, 2013 to Jan 30, 2014 | Water Snake | 癸巳 |
So someone born on Feb 9, 2013 is a Water Dragon, and someone born on Feb 10, 2013 is a Water Snake. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is a Water Snake?
A Water Snake combines the Snake with the element of the birth year. 2013 ends in 3, which gives Water. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Water Snake years include 1953.
How Old Is a 2013 Snake, and When Is the Next Snake Year?
Someone born in 2013 turns 13 in 2026 and 14 in 2027. The last Snake year was 2001, and the next is 2025. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Snake years a 2013 Snake lives through:
- 2013Water SnakeBornThis page
- 2025 Chinese zodiacWood SnakeTurns 12
2013 Snake Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Snake's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 2013 Snake in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Snake to the next two years, and how old a 2013 Snake will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Steady
Turns 13. No formal link to the Horse in the traditional rules.
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
Turns 14. No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 2013, and the other years of the decade.
- 2011 Chinese zodiacMetal RabbitFeb 3, 2011 to Jan 22, 2012
- 2012 Chinese zodiacWater DragonJan 23, 2012 to Feb 9, 2013
- 2013Water SnakeFeb 10, 2013 to Jan 30, 2014
- 2014 Chinese zodiacWood HorseJan 31, 2014 to Feb 18, 2015
- 2015 Chinese zodiacWood GoatFeb 19, 2015 to Feb 7, 2016
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
2010 Chinese zodiac2011 Chinese zodiac2012 Chinese zodiac20132014 Chinese zodiac2015 Chinese zodiac2016 Chinese zodiac2017 Chinese zodiac2018 Chinese zodiac2019 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
2013 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 2013?
2013 is the Year of the Water Snake. The Chinese year ran from Feb 10, 2013 to Jan 30, 2014.
What element is the 2013 Chinese zodiac?
Water. A year's element follows its last digit: 3 gives Water. The Snake's own fixed element is Fire, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 2013?
Lunar New Year 2013 fell on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013. Born from January 1 to Feb 9, 2013, you are a Water Dragon. From Feb 10, 2013, you are a Water Snake.
How old is someone born in 2013?
In 2026 they turn 13, or are 12 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 14. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Snake year after 2013?
2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, begins on Jan 29, 2025.