On 1st February 2022, a new lunar year begins in the Chinese calendar and marks the Year of the Tiger. This is the third of the 12-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac: Rat (鼠 shǔ), Ox (牛 niú), Tiger (虎 hǔ), Rabbit (兔 tù), Dragon (龙 lóng), Snake (蛇 shé), Horse (马 mǎ), Goat (羊 yang), Monkey (猴 hóu), Rooster (鸡 jī), Dog (狗 gǒu), and Pig (猪 zhū). According to the Chinese element and the ‘Heavenly Branches’ theory, 2022 marks the year of the Water Tiger.
The Year of the Tiger
- 13th February 1926 to 1st February 1927: Fire Tiger
- 31st January 1938 to 18th February 1939: Earth Tiger
- 17th February 1950 to 5th February 1951: Metal Tiger
- 5th February 1962 to 24th January 1963: Water Tiger
- 23rd January 1974 to 10th February 1975: Wood Tiger
- 9th February 1986 to 28th January 1987: Fire Tiger
- 28th January 1998 to 15th February 1999: Earth Tiger
- 14th February 2010 to 2nd February 2011: Metal Tiger
- 1st February 2022 to 21st January 2023: Water Tiger
- 19th February 2034 to 7th February 2035: Wood Tiger
Key Characteristics of the Tiger
People who are born in a Year of the Tiger are said to be confident, independent and optimistic. It is easy to be instinctively drawn to the energy of a Tiger, who can fill a room with their intense charm. On the flip-side however, the occasional thoughtlessness and rebellious nature of Tigers can, if left unchecked, lead them to feel isolated and lonely.
The Water Tiger
Last marked in 1962, people born under the year of the Water Tiger are said to be relationship-oriented and dedicated to family life. Although seen as calmer, more rational and realistic than the other Tigers in the 60-year Zodiac, the Water Tiger is still ultimately a Tiger – and is therefore powerful, courageous and tough in the face of adversity. These strengths certainly generate a positive image as the world continues to battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Lucky and unlucky items for Tigers
Chinese culture is heavily based on superstitions and traditions, which of course extend to the Zodiac. All the Zodiac animals are associated with lucky and unlucky colours, numbers, flowers and directions – all of which one is advised to avoid. For those born in the Year of the Tiger, the following are considered to be lucky and unlucky:
| Lucky | Unlucky | |
| Colours | Blue, green, orange | Brown, white |
| Numbers | 1, 3, 7 | 6, 8 |
| Flowers | Plum blossom, cineraria | |
| Directions | North, East, South | Southwest |
Famous Tigers
| Name | Career | Date of birth | Type of tiger |
| John Steinbeck | American author | 27th February 1902 | Water Tiger |
| Queen Elizabeth II | Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth | 21st April 1926 | Fire Tiger |
| David Attenborough | British natural history filmmaker | 8th May 1926 | Fire Tiger |
| Bill Withers | American singer-songwriter | 4th July 1938 | Earth Tiger |
| Richard Branson | British business magnate | 18th July 1950 | Metal Tiger |
| Steve Irwin | Australian naturalist and TV star | 22nd February 1962 | Water Tiger |
| Olivia Colman | British actress | 30th January 1974 | Wood Tiger |
| Lady Gaga | American singer-songwriter and actress | 28th March 1986 | Fire Tiger |
| Usain Bolt | Jamaican Olympic sprinter | 21st August 1986 | Fire Tiger |
| Amanda Gorman | American poet and activist | 7th March 1998 | Earth Tiger |
The Origins of the Chinese Zodiac