Water Snake Chinese Zodiac
水蛇 shuǐ shé
A Water Snake was born in a Snake year ending in 2 or 3: 1953, 2013 and 2073. Water deepens the Snake's intuition. The Water Snake is described as mysterious and perceptive, a Snake with a flowing intelligence and a talent for timing.
- Water
- Snake
- Yin
Water Snake at a Glance
- Years
- 1953, 2013 and 2073
- Year element
- Water 水 (years ending in 2 or 3)
- Snake's own element
- Fire
- Yin or Yang
- Yin
- Year names
- 癸巳
- Next Water Snake year
- 2073
The Water Snake Has Perfect Timing
Snakes wait for the right moment. The Water Snake, tradition says, is best at it: perceptive, calm and private, with a talent for knowing when to move.
The 1953 Water Snakes are Boomers turning 73 in 2026. The 2013 Water Snakes, the first Gen Alpha year, turn 13.
Which Years Are Water Snake Years?
The most recent Water Snake year began on Feb 10, 2013 and ended on Jan 30, 2014; the next comes in 2073. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 Chinese zodiac | Feb 14, 1953 | Feb 2, 1954 | 癸巳 | 长流水 | 72 or 73 |
| 2013 Chinese zodiac | Feb 10, 2013 | Jan 30, 2014 | 癸巳 | 长流水 | 12 or 13 |
| 2073 | 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 Snake Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Water Snake
- Perceptive
- Strategic
- Calm
Challenges of the Water Snake
- Secretive
- Moody
- Withholds feeling
Water Snake in Love and at Work
In Love
Deep, devoted and private, and intense once trust is given.
At Work
Strong in research, psychology, finance and strategy.
The Five Kinds of Snake
The Snake's own element is always Fire; the birth year adds the second. For the Water Snake, Water restrains Fire, so the year keeps the Snake in check.
| Type | Years | With the Snake's Fire |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Snake Chinese zodiac | 1905, 1965, 2025, 2085 | Wood feeds Fire |
| Fire Snake Chinese zodiac | 1917, 1977, 2037 | Doubled |
| Earth Snake Chinese zodiac | 1929, 1989, 2049 | Fire feeds Earth |
| Metal Snake Chinese zodiac | 1941, 2001, 2061 | Fire restrains Metal |
| Water Snake | 1953, 2013, 2073 | Water restrains Fire |
Water Snake Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Ox, Rooster and Monkey for the Snake, and the Pig is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Steady
No formal link to the Horse in the traditional rules.
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
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 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 Snake Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Water Snake?
A Water Snake is someone born in a Snake year that ends in 2 or 3. Water Snake years include 1953, 2013 and 2073. Tradition describes the Water Snake as perceptive, strategic and calm.
What years are Water Snake years?
1953, 2013 and 2073. The 2013 year ran from Feb 10, 2013 to Jan 30, 2014.
Is the Snake a Water sign?
The Snake's own element is Fire, which never changes. Water is the element of the birth year, so a Water Snake carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Water Snake?
The most recent Water Snake years are 1953 and 2013. In 2026 someone born in 2013 turns 13.
When is the next Water Snake year?
2073. Snake years return every 12 years and each element every 60.