Cathay Ink › Chinese zodiac › Year of the Tiger
Year of the Tiger
Bold, warm and unafraid of risk. The Tiger is the king of the mountain in Chinese lore, a guardian figure painted on doors and sewn onto children's shoes to keep harm away.
The Tiger is the third of the twelve animals, paired with the earthly branch 寅 and the hours 3 – 5 am. The next Year of the Tiger is 2034, a Wood Tiger year, from 19 February 2034.
Check my birthdayYears of the Tiger
Each year starts at Chinese New Year, so a January birthday usually belongs to the previous animal.
- 1926Fire Tiger, from 13 February 1926
- 1938Earth Tiger, from 31 January 1938
- 1950Metal Tiger, from 17 February 1950
- 1962Water Tiger, from 5 February 1962
- 1974Wood Tiger, from 23 January 1974
- 1986Fire Tiger, from 9 February 1986
- 1998Earth Tiger, from 28 January 1998
- 2010Metal Tiger, from 14 February 2010
- 2022Water Tiger, from 1 February 2022
- 2034Wood Tiger, from 19 February 2034
Born in one of these years? Enter the exact date to confirm the animal and see your lunar birthday.
The Tiger in Chinese culture
Character
Bold, warm and unafraid of risk. The Tiger is the king of the mountain in Chinese lore, a guardian figure painted on doors and sewn onto children's shoes to keep harm away.
Closest companions in the cycle: the Horse and the Dog, the two animals that share the Tiger's trine. Its secret friend is the Pig.
A story
Children born in Tiger years were given tiger-head hats and shoes so the animal's courage would protect them.
Element changes the flavour of each Tiger year. Metal 金: resolve and clarity: the edge of a blade, the ring of a bell. Wood 木: growth and flexibility: spring, bamboo, new shoots. Water 水: adaptability and depth: rivers finding their way. Fire 火: warmth and drive: summer, lanterns, the hearth. Earth 土: steadiness and care: harvest, soil, the centre.
Your Tiger in ink
A poster with the Tiger above, your name and lunar birthday below, and your Chinese name as a round seal.
Make the poster
Enter your birthday and we set the poster: the animal in ink wash, the year's element, the date in the lunar calendar, your name. Full-resolution download, printable at A3.
Start with my birthdayWant a Chinese name on the seal? Find one first: three real names with every character explained, free.