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Updated 2026-06-25

The Water Snake Year

What it means to be born in a Water Snake year in the Tibetan-Mongolian (zurkhai) tradition — the Snake's nature shaped by the element of Water. tradition

Water Snake years: 1953, 2013. The next Water Snake year is 2073.

The Snake

Wise, intuitive, private and elegant. The Snake is one of the twelve animal signs (jil) that, paired with the five elements, make up the 60-year cycle.

The element of Water

Water governs wisdom, adaptability, intuition, communication and depth; its season is winter and its direction is the north. Water is the flowing, descending energy — it gives a sign insight, diplomacy and resilience, though it can slip into hesitation or secrecy.

Water Snake: the blend

A Snake born in a Water Snake year carries the Snake's nature — wise, intuitive, private and elegant — under the influence of Water, the element of wisdom, adaptability, intuition, communication and depth. Water is the flowing, descending energy — it gives a sign insight, diplomacy and resilience, though it can slip into hesitation or secrecy.

Years of the Water Snake

1953turns 73 in 2026
2013turns 13 in 2026

Frequently asked

What years are Water Snake years?
The Water Snake pairing falls on 1953, 2013 and recurs every 60 years.
What is a person born in a Water Snake year like?
A Snake born in a Water Snake year carries the Snake's nature — wise, intuitive, private and elegant — under the influence of Water, the element of wisdom, adaptability, intuition, communication and depth. Water is the flowing, descending energy — it gives a sign insight, diplomacy and resilience, though it can slip into hesitation or secrecy.
How does the Tibetan element–animal cycle work?
Tibetan astrology overlays a 12-year cycle of animals with a 5-element cycle (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element governs two consecutive years, so 12 animals × 5 elements form a 60-year cycle before the same animal+element pairing repeats. Every year therefore carries both an animal and an element — 2026 is the Fire Horse. The system blends indigenous Bon astrology, Chinese-derived element/animal astrology, and Indian Kalachakra star astrology.

The Snake in the other elements

Wood Snake Fire Snake Earth Snake Metal Snake

More on the Snake sign → · What is zurkhai? →

Animal/element traits and yearly outlooks are presented as traditional belief, not fact, and vary between astrologers and lineages.