2012 Chinese zodiac —
the Water Dragon
| Animal sign | Dragon 辰 — the Water Dragon |
|---|---|
| Element | Yang Water (壬) |
| 2012 Dragon year | Jan 23, 2012 – Feb 9, 2013 |
| Born Jan 1 – Jan 22, 2012 | Metal Rabbit of 2011 |
| Korean saju year | Starts at Ipchun, Feb 4, 2012 |
| Best matches | Rooster, Monkey, Rat |
| Next Dragon year | 2036 (Fire Dragon) |
| Age in 2026 | 14 (Korean age 15) |
People born between Jan 23, 2012 and Feb 9, 2013 are a Water Dragon. The Water Dragon is the most adaptable, pairing ambition with diplomacy and a good sense of timing.
Born in January or early February 2012?
The 2012 Dragon year began at Chinese New Year on Jan 23, 2012. If you were born from January 1 to Jan 22, 2012, your sign is the Metal Rabbit of 2011. The year ended on Feb 9, 2013, so birthdays in early 2013 up to that date still count as Dragons.
The Korean saju year starts at Ipchun
In Korean saju (the Four Pillars), the year pillar changes at Ipchun, the start of spring — Feb 4, 2012 at about 19:18 Korea time — not at Lunar New Year. A birthday from Jan 23 to Feb 3, 2012 is already a Dragon by Lunar New Year but still 辛卯 (Metal Rabbit) in a saju chart. Why saju starts the year at Ipchun →
The Water Dragon personality
The Water Dragon is the most adaptable, pairing ambition with diplomacy and a good sense of timing. Water brings intuition, adaptability and depth.
Dragons think on a large scale and live in a world of their own design. They are at their most powerful when they feel recognized. Strengths: vision and ambition; confidence that inspires others; generosity once they commit. Watch for: pride that finds it hard to back down; impatience with details; sensitivity to criticism.
Compatibility
Best matches for the Dragon: Rooster (88/100), Monkey (84/100), Rat (72/100). Hardest: Dog (41), Pig (42). All twelve Dragon matches →
Age
People born in the 2012 Dragon year turn 14 in 2026 (15 in Korean age) and 15 in 2027. The same Water Dragon returns every sixty years — 1952 and 2072.
Dragon years
1928 Earth · 1940 Metal · 1952 Water · 1964 Wood · 1976 Fire · 1988 Earth · 2000 Metal · 2012 Water · 2024 Wood
The Dragon in 2027
The Year of the Fire Goat gives the Dragon 81/100 — a favorable year. Read the 2027 forecast →
Questions about the 2012 zodiac
What Chinese zodiac animal is 2012?
2012 is the Year of the Dragon — the Water Dragon (壬辰). The Dragon year runs from Jan 23, 2012 to Feb 9, 2013: it starts at Chinese New Year, not on January 1.
Is someone born in January 2012 a Dragon?
Only if the birthday falls on or after Jan 23, 2012, when the Dragon year began. From January 1 to Jan 22, 2012, the sign is still the Metal Rabbit of 2011.
What element is the 2012 Dragon?
Water. The year stem 壬 is yang water, so everyone born in the 2012 Dragon year is a Water Dragon. Water brings intuition, adaptability and depth.
When is the next Year of the Dragon?
2036 — the Fire Dragon. The Water Dragon itself comes back every sixty years — 1952 and 2072.
Who is the Dragon most compatible with?
The Dragon’s best matches are the Rooster (88/100), the Monkey (84/100) and the Rat (72/100); the hardest are the Dog (41) and the Pig (42).
Nearby years
← 2011 Metal Rabbit · 2013 Water Snake → · All years and the calculator
