Water Tiger (壬寅): personality and meaning in the Chinese zodiac
The Water Tiger, 壬寅, cools the Tiger's impulses with depth. The tradition reads it as intuitive, calm and open to other views.
Heavenly stem and earthly branch: 壬寅
Years: 1902, 1962, 2022
Character
壬寅 sets 壬, yang water, the great river, over the Tiger's wood. Water nourishes wood, so the tradition reads this as a pair in which the stem feeds its branch: a river watering a spring forest, courage sustained by understanding.
People born in a Water Tiger year are read as perceptive, adaptable and compassionate, with the Tiger's bravery joined to a talent for reading people and situations. They listen before they act and make good mediators. The tradition's shadow for the Water Tiger is indecision — seeing so many sides that choosing one is hard — and moods that run deeper than they show.
In love and at work
In love the Water Tiger is read as sensitive, warm and devoted, a partner who understands without many words. At work it suits communication, diplomacy, the arts, counselling and research. The tradition suggests the Water Tiger trust its first instinct a little more often.
A question to take with you
When you already know what you think, what keeps you from saying it?
Updated October 28, 2026