Water Horse Chinese Zodiac
水马 shuǐ mǎ
A Water Horse was born in a Horse year ending in 2 or 3: 1942, 2002 and 2062. Water cools the Horse's fire. The Water Horse is described as adaptable and thoughtful, a Horse that still loves movement but weighs its choices.
- Water
- Horse
- Yang
Water Horse at a Glance
- Years
- 1942, 2002 and 2062
- Year element
- Water 水 (years ending in 2 or 3)
- Horse's own element
- Fire
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 壬午
- Next Water Horse year
- 2062
The Water Horse Weighs Its Options
Horses act on impulse. The Water Horse, in tradition, still loves change but thinks it through, adaptable and sociable rather than headstrong.
The 1942 Water Horses, Silent Generation, turn 84 in 2026. The 2002 Water Horses, Gen Z, turn 24, and 2026 is their own sign year.
Which Years Are Water Horse Years?
The most recent Water Horse year began on Feb 12, 2002 and ended on Jan 31, 2003; the next comes in 2062. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Feb 15, 1942 | Feb 4, 1943 | 壬午 | 杨柳木 | 83 or 84 |
| 2002 Chinese zodiac | Feb 12, 2002 | Jan 31, 2003 | 壬午 | 杨柳木 | 23 or 24 |
| 2062 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Water Horse Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Water Horse
- Adaptable
- Thoughtful
- Sociable
Challenges of the Water Horse
- Unsettled
- Indecisive
- Restless
Water Horse in Love and at Work
In Love
Affectionate and flexible, and wants both closeness and freedom.
At Work
Suited to travel, media, teaching and work that changes often.
The Five Kinds of Horse
The Horse's own element is always Fire; the birth year adds the second. For the Water Horse, Water restrains Fire, so the year keeps the Horse in check.
| Type | Years | With the Horse's Fire |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Horse Chinese zodiac | 1954, 2014, 2074 | Wood feeds Fire |
| Fire Horse Chinese zodiac | 1906, 1966, 2026, 2086 | Doubled |
| Earth Horse Chinese zodiac | 1918, 1978, 2038 | Fire feeds Earth |
| Metal Horse Chinese zodiac | 1930, 1990, 2050 | Fire restrains Metal |
| Water Horse | 1942, 2002, 2062 | Water restrains Fire |
Water Horse Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Tiger, Dog and Goat for the Horse, and the Rat is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Own Sign Year
Link to the Horse: Own sign year (本命年), Punishment (刑太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Supported
Link to the Goat: Secret Friend (六合).
Other Water Signs
All twelve animals have a Water year. Each is a different mix.
- Water Rat Chinese zodiac1972, 2032
- Water Ox Chinese zodiac1973, 2033
- Water Tiger Chinese zodiac1962, 2022
- Water Rabbit Chinese zodiac1963, 2023
- Water Dragon Chinese zodiac1952, 2012
- Water Snake Chinese zodiac1953, 2013
- Water Goat Chinese zodiac1943, 2003
- Water Monkey Chinese zodiac1932, 1992
- Water Rooster Chinese zodiac1933, 1993
- Water Dog Chinese zodiac1922, 1982
- Water Pig Chinese zodiac1923, 1983
Water Horse Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Water Horse?
A Water Horse is someone born in a Horse year that ends in 2 or 3. Water Horse years include 1942, 2002 and 2062. Tradition describes the Water Horse as adaptable, thoughtful and sociable.
What years are Water Horse years?
1942, 2002 and 2062. The 2002 year ran from Feb 12, 2002 to Jan 31, 2003.
Is the Horse a Water sign?
The Horse's own element is Fire, which never changes. Water is the element of the birth year, so a Water Horse carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Water Horse?
The most recent Water Horse years are 1942 and 2002. In 2026 someone born in 2002 turns 24.
When is the next Water Horse year?
2062. Horse years return every 12 years and each element every 60.