2022 Chinese zodiac: year of the Water Tiger
2022 was the year of the Water Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. It began on 1 February 2022 and ended on 21 January 2023.
2022 is the year of the Water Tiger (Yang). The Chinese year of the Tiger ran from 1 February 2022 to 21 January 2023, so anyone born between those dates is a Water Tiger. Babies born in 2022 before 1 February 2022 belong to the Metal Ox of 2021.
2022 Water Tiger personality
People born in the year of the Tiger are brave, competitive and confident. Their strengths are courage, leadership and a strong sense of justice; their watch-outs are impulsiveness and impatience.
The Water element adds wisdom, flexibility and good communication, so the Water Tiger of 2022 combines the Tiger's nature with water qualities. Yang years are traditionally seen as outgoing and active.
Careers that suit the Tiger: leadership, sport, the armed forces, entrepreneurship.
Born in January or February 2022?
The Chinese year does not start on 1 January. In 2022, Chinese New Year fell on 1 February 2022.
- Born 1 February 2022 or later in 2022: Water Tiger.
- Born 1 January – 31 January 2022: Metal Ox (2021 sign).
Tiger compatibility
| Match | Signs |
|---|---|
| Best (same triangle) | Horse, Dog |
| Secret friend | Pig |
| Traditional clash | Monkey |
Other Tiger years
1986, 1998, 2010, 2034. The Water Tiger itself returns in 2082.
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Frequently asked questions
What Chinese zodiac is 2022?
The Water Tiger, for births from 1 February 2022 to 21 January 2023.
What if I was born in January or early February 2022?
If you were born before 1 February 2022, your sign is the Metal Ox of 2021, because the Chinese year had not yet changed.
What element is 2022 in the Chinese zodiac?
Water (Yang). Water is linked with wisdom, flexibility and good communication; its colour is black and blue.
Which signs are compatible with the Tiger?
Best matches are the Horse and Dog, plus the Pig as a "secret friend". The traditional clash is with the Monkey.
When is the next Water Tiger year?
2082. The same animal and element combination returns every 60 years.
How old is someone born in 2022 in 2026?
They turn 4 during 2026.
Source and method
Chinese New Year dates (China Standard Time) were cross-checked against two independent lunar-calendar tables and published listings. Animals and elements follow the traditional 60-year (sexagenary) cycle.