Year of the Tiger虎年 hǔ nián · the third animal of the Chinese zodiac
Quick facts
- Position
- 3 of 12
- Zodiac name
- 虎 hǔ - Tiger
- Everyday word
- 老虎 lǎohǔ
- “Year of the Tiger”
- 虎年 hǔ nián
- Earthly Branch
- 寅 yín
- Hours of the day
- 3 am – 5 am
- Yin or yang
- Yang
- Next Tiger year
- 2034 (19 February 2034 - 7 February 2035)
Year of the Tiger years and dates
Each zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year and ends the day before the next one. If you were born in January or February, check the dates below or use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | 8 Feb 1902 | 28 Jan 1903 | Water |
| 1914 | 26 Jan 1914 | 13 Feb 1915 | Wood |
| 1926 | 13 Feb 1926 | 1 Feb 1927 | Fire |
| 1938 | 31 Jan 1938 | 18 Feb 1939 | Earth |
| 1950 | 17 Feb 1950 | 5 Feb 1951 | Metal |
| 1962 | 5 Feb 1962 | 24 Jan 1963 | Water |
| 1974 | 23 Jan 1974 | 10 Feb 1975 | Wood |
| 1986 | 9 Feb 1986 | 28 Jan 1987 | Fire |
| 1998 | 28 Jan 1998 | 15 Feb 1999 | Earth |
| 2010 | 14 Feb 2010 | 2 Feb 2011 | Metal |
| 2022 | 1 Feb 2022 | 21 Jan 2023 | Water |
| 2034 | 19 Feb 2034 | 7 Feb 2035 | Wood |
| 2046 | 6 Feb 2046 | 25 Jan 2047 | Fire |
How to say Year of the Tiger in Chinese
To give your own sign, say 我属 (wǒ shǔ, “I belong to”) plus the animal. To ask someone else, say 你属什么？ (nǐ shǔ shénme?).
Tiger personality: what the sign stands for
People born in a Year of the Tiger are traditionally described as brave and confident, natural leaders who like a challenge.
Said to be
- brave
- confident
- energetic
- generous
Said to watch out for
- impatient
- headstrong
These are traditional beliefs, shared for fun and for cultural background. They are not predictions.
The Tiger in the Great Race
In the Great Race the Tiger fought the strong current all the way across the river and arrived third, tired but proud, behind the Rat and the Ox.
The Tiger in Chinese culture
In China the tiger, not the lion, is the king of the animals. People say the stripes on its forehead form the character 王 (wáng), “king.”
Tigers are believed to protect children from harm, so babies are given 虎头鞋 (hǔtóu xié, tiger-head shoes) and tiger-head hats. The everyday word for the animal is 老虎 (lǎohǔ).
Chinese idioms with 虎
如虎添翼
rú hǔ tiān yì
"like a tiger that has grown wings"
Someone already strong becomes even stronger.
狐假虎威
hú jiǎ hǔ wēi
"the fox borrows the tiger's might"
Bullying others by using someone else's power.
Tiger compatibility in tradition
Traditional matchmaking groups the twelve animals by their Earthly Branches. These pairings are folk tradition, not science. To check any two signs, use the Chinese Zodiac Compatibility chart.
Your own zodiac year is called 本命年 (běnmìngnián). Tradition says it can bring bad luck, so people wear something red for protection.
The other zodiac animals
Find your animal with the Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Tiger?
Recent and coming Years of the Tiger are 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034, 2046. Each one starts at Chinese New Year, so January and early February birthdays usually belong to the year before.
When is the next Year of the Tiger?
The next Year of the Tiger runs from 19 February 2034 to 7 February 2035.
How do you say Year of the Tiger in Chinese?
It is 虎年 (hǔ nián). To say you were born in that year, say 我属虎 (wǒ shǔ hǔ).