Water Tiger Chinese Zodiac
水虎 shuǐ hǔ
A Water Tiger was born in a Tiger year ending in 2 or 3: 1902, 1962, 2022 and 2082. Water softens the Tiger's edges. The Water Tiger is described as the calmest and most open-minded of the five, a good listener with strong intuition and a willingness to compromise.
- Water
- Tiger
- Yang
Water Tiger at a Glance
- Years
- 1902, 1962, 2022 and 2082
- Year element
- Water 水 (years ending in 2 or 3)
- Tiger's own element
- Wood
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 壬寅
- Next Water Tiger year
- 2082
The Water Tiger, the Calmest Tiger
Water feeds Wood, the Tiger’s own element, but tradition reads it as calming: the Water Tiger is the most open-minded of the five, a good listener willing to compromise.
The 1962 Water Tigers are Boomers turning 64 in 2026. The 2022 Water Tigers, Gen Alpha, turn 4.
Which Years Are Water Tiger Years?
The most recent Water Tiger year began on Feb 1, 2022 and ended on Jan 21, 2023; the next comes in 2082. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | Feb 8, 1902 | Jan 28, 1903 | 壬寅 | 金箔金 | 123 or 124 |
| 1962 Chinese zodiac | Feb 5, 1962 | Jan 24, 1963 | 壬寅 | 金箔金 | 63 or 64 |
| 2022 Chinese zodiac | Feb 1, 2022 | Jan 21, 2023 | 壬寅 | 金箔金 | 3 or 4 |
| 2082 | 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 Tiger Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Water Tiger
- Open-minded
- Intuitive
- Diplomatic
Challenges of the Water Tiger
- Hesitant
- Less decisive
- Moody
Water Tiger in Love and at Work
In Love
Warm and sensitive, with a gentler, more flexible nature.
At Work
A fit for diplomacy, writing, advocacy and leadership by persuasion.
The Five Kinds of Tiger
The Tiger's own element is always Wood; the birth year adds the second. For the Water Tiger, Water feeds Wood, so the year supports the Tiger's nature.
| Type | Years | With the Tiger's Wood |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1914, 1974, 2034, 2094 | Doubled |
| Fire Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1926, 1986, 2046 | Wood feeds Fire |
| Earth Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1938, 1998, 2058 | Wood restrains Earth |
| Metal Tiger Chinese zodiac | 1950, 2010, 2070 | Metal restrains Wood |
| Water Tiger | 1902, 1962, 2022, 2082 | Water feeds Wood |
Water Tiger Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Horse, Dog and Pig for the Tiger, and the Monkey is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Supported
Link to the Horse: Trine partner (三合).
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 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 Tiger Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Water Tiger?
A Water Tiger is someone born in a Tiger year that ends in 2 or 3. Water Tiger years include 1902, 1962, 2022 and 2082. Tradition describes the Water Tiger as open-minded, intuitive and diplomatic.
What years are Water Tiger years?
1902, 1962, 2022 and 2082. The 2022 year ran from Feb 1, 2022 to Jan 21, 2023.
Is the Tiger a Water sign?
The Tiger's own element is Wood, which never changes. Water is the element of the birth year, so a Water Tiger carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Water Tiger?
The most recent Water Tiger years are 1962 and 2022. In 2026 someone born in 2022 turns 4.
When is the next Water Tiger year?
2082. Tiger years return every 12 years and each element every 60.