Water Rat Chinese Zodiac
水鼠 shuǐ shǔ
A Water Rat was born in a Rat year ending in 2 or 3: 1912, 1972, 2032 and 2092. Water is the Rat's own element, so the Water Rat is the Rat doubled. It is described as intuitive and adaptable, a Rat that reads people well and flows around obstacles.
- Water
- Rat
- Yang
Water Rat at a Glance
- Years
- 1912, 1972, 2032 and 2092
- Year element
- Water 水 (years ending in 2 or 3)
- Rat's own element
- Water
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 壬子
- Next Water Rat year
- 2032
The Water Rat, Rat Doubled
Water is the Rat’s own element. Tradition reads the Water Rat as the most intuitive Rat, good at reading people and finding a way around any obstacle.
The 1972 Water Rats are Gen X and turn 54 in 2026. The next Water Rat year is 2032.
Which Years Are Water Rat Years?
The most recent Water Rat year began on Feb 15, 1972 and ended on Feb 2, 1973; the next comes in 2032. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | Feb 18, 1912 | Feb 5, 1913 | 壬子 | 桑柘木 | 113 or 114 |
| 1972 Chinese zodiac | Feb 15, 1972 | Feb 2, 1973 | 壬子 | 桑柘木 | 53 or 54 |
| 2032 | Feb 11, 2032 | Jan 30, 2033 | 壬子 | 桑柘木 | - |
| 2092 | 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 Rat Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Water Rat
- Intuitive
- Adaptable
- Persuasive
Challenges of the Water Rat
- Indecisive
- Anxious
- Withdraws
Water Rat in Love and at Work
In Love
Sensitive and devoted, and needs emotional closeness.
At Work
Suited to research, writing, diplomacy, counseling and trade.
The Five Kinds of Rat
The Rat's own element is always Water; the birth year adds the second. For the Water Rat, the year element is the Rat's own Water, so it is doubled.
| Type | Years | With the Rat's Water |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Rat Chinese zodiac | 1924, 1984, 2044 | Water feeds Wood |
| Fire Rat Chinese zodiac | 1936, 1996, 2056 | Water restrains Fire |
| Earth Rat Chinese zodiac | 1948, 2008, 2068 | Earth restrains Water |
| Metal Rat Chinese zodiac | 1900, 1960, 2020, 2080 | Metal feeds Water |
| Water Rat | 1912, 1972, 2032, 2092 | Doubled |
Water Rat Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Dragon, Monkey and Ox for the Rat, and the Horse is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Needs Care
Link to the Horse: Clash (冲太岁).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Link to the Goat: Harm (害太岁).
Other Water Signs
All twelve animals have a Water year. Each is a different mix.
- 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 Horse Chinese zodiac1942, 2002
- 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 Rat Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Water Rat?
A Water Rat is someone born in a Rat year that ends in 2 or 3. Water Rat years include 1912, 1972, 2032 and 2092. Tradition describes the Water Rat as intuitive, adaptable and persuasive.
What years are Water Rat years?
1912, 1972, 2032 and 2092. The 1972 year ran from Feb 15, 1972 to Feb 2, 1973.
Is the Rat really a Water sign?
The Rat's own element is Water, so Water Rats are the Rat doubled: the sign's nature and the year's element agree.
How old is a Water Rat?
The most recent Water Rat years are 1972 and 2032. In 2026 someone born in 2032 turns -6.
When is the next Water Rat year?
2032. Rat years return every 12 years and each element every 60.