2012 Chinese Zodiac: Water Dragon
People born in 2012 are Yang Water Dragons, with one important exception: the first weeks of the year.
Quick answer
The 2012 zodiac year ran from January 23, 2012 to February 9, 2013. If you were born on or after January 23, 2012, your sign is the Water Dragon. If you were born earlier in 2012, you belong to the Metal Rabbit of 2011.
Water Dragon personality
Ambitious, charismatic and larger than life.
The Dragon is the fifth animal and the only mythical creature in the zodiac. It is the most prestigious sign in Chinese culture, associated with power, good fortune and ambition.
Water years add intuition, adaptability and empathy. Water people tend to be thoughtful, diplomatic and perceptive.
Strengths: Confident and charismatic, Ambitious and energetic, Generous, Natural leader, Optimistic. Watch for: Domineering, Impatient, Perfectionist, Proud, Short-tempered.
Read the full Dragon guide for love, career and compatibility.
Born early in 2012?
The Chinese zodiac follows the lunisolar calendar, so a January or February birth often belongs to the previous animal. In 2012, Chinese New Year fell on January 23, 2012. Anyone born before that date is a Metal Rabbit instead. See the Rabbit guide.
2012 zodiac year facts
- Chinese New Year 2012 fell on a Monday, January 23, 2012.
- The Dragon year lasted 384 days, longer than a calendar year because the lunisolar calendar added a leap month.
- Anyone born in the first 22 days of 2012 (January 1 to January 23, 2012) belongs to the previous sign.
- People born in 2012 turn 14 or 13 during 2026, depending on their birthday.
- The same Water Dragon combination appears every 60 years: previously in 1952.
Other Dragon years: 1988, 2000, 2024. Each has a different element, which colors the animal's traits.
Dragon compatibility
The Dragon is traditionally most harmonious with Rat and Monkey, and tends to clash with the Dog.
Near 2012, the Dragon's harmonious partners were born in: Rat: 2008; Monkey: 2016.
The Chinese zodiac is a cultural tradition offered for reflection and entertainment.