Chinese New Year is upon us which means we have officially entered the Year of the Tiger. If you’re having a baby anytime between 1 February 2022 and 21 January 2023, then you’ve got yourself a Tiger Baby.
So what does this mean? What can you expect from your Tiger child? Let’s find out, shall we?
Lucky symbols for your Tiger Cub
Let’s start with the Year of the Tiger in general. Tigers, like all Chinese zodiac animals, are born every 12 years. Previous Tigers were born in 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938 and 1926.
In terms of lucky symbols, here are a few key ones to remember about your Tiger:
- Stone: Ruby and Sapphire
- Season: Spring
- Month: September
- Flowers: Yellow lily and cineraria
- Colors: Blue, gray, orange, white
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4 (and numbers containing them, like 13 and 34)
- Unlucky Numbers: 6, 7, 8 (numbers containing them, like 67 and 78)
- Lucky Days: 16th and 27th of any month
2022: The Year of the Water Tiger
Another interesting thing about the Chinese Zodiac is that each year has an animal and an element. In 2022, it’s the Year of the Tiger. The element this year (wood, fire, earth, metal or water) is water.
Water Tigers are meant to be blessed with the abiity to reflect and contemplate what they experience in the world.
Bringing up a Tiger Cub
There’s a whole lot of things to love about your little cub! Tigers are known to be:
Born leaders – Your cub is considered King of the Chinese Zodiac and they will also most likely rule your household (and your heart) too. Your little bossy boots loves to take the lead and does so with gusto and confidence! This leadership quality will come in handy at home, on the playground, and beyond.
Challenge seekers – Tigers are also known for their competitive nature. They love a challenge, love to take risks and love to come out on top. You can expect plenty of heartstopping moments as your tiger tackles risky tricks. You know that kid who has somehow gotten himself stuck in a tree? That’s your Tiger Kid.
Funny and feisty – Not only are Tigers feisty cats, but they are also hilarious. They’ve got an incredible outlook on life, brimming with cheer and energy. They love attention and are very social creatures, as long as they are in the lead.
Rebellious – Of course, this daredevil and determined spirit is bound to get your cub into a bit of trouble every now and then. Tigers tend to be strong-willed, rebellious, and outspoken which can lead to conflict. Of course, a Tiger cub can handle the heat and never shy away from a good debate.
Hot-tempered – Toddler Tigers can be especially tricky and you may find yourself arguing over just about everything. You can also expct some pretty epic tantrums from your tiger tot.
Sporty – Tigers have A LOT of energy to burn and love spending time outdoors doing ALL the sporty things. Invest in lots of ball games and prepare to spend the majority of your Saturdays at some sort of sporting field.
A curious cat – Another fun fact about Tigers is that they are incredibly inquisitive. They may be the kids who ask a zillion questions at school but it’s hard to fault that! Tigers are also known to be quick learners but they also have a short attention span. So if they’re learning something that bores them, they will be sure to let everyone know. Typical cat.
A ‘Tiger’ Mum perspective
My firstborn is a Tiger (born 2010) and I can vouch that this is all pretty accurate. The daredevil aspect especially! I cannot even count the number of times I would turn my head for a moment and he would have climbed our rock wall as a toddler. Hot tip: Invest in a really good first aid kit!
Tiger kids have big emotions so it’s important to hold space. Let them kick and scream but always be there to reel them in and give them a good cuddle.
One more hot tip for mums welcoming a Tiger this year? You may find you need to baby-proof your house a lot earlier than planned. Tiger tots are determined, remember, and your little one could be army crawling around the house, propping themselves up on furniture and taking their first steps sooner than you want. My tiger was 10 months when he took his first step and hasn’t stopped since.
What about other Chinese Zodiac signs?Â
Wondering what this year will bring you based on your Chinese Zodiac. Here is a brief rundown:
Chinese zodiac animals that may have a challenging year:Â
- Tigers, born 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
- Monkeys, born 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
- Snakes, born 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Chinese zodiac animals that may have luck on their side:
- Pigs (in general), born 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
- Dogs (in people they meet), born 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
- Rabbits (in relationships), born 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
- Roosters (in people they meet), born 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Chinese zodiac animals that may have an especially great year:Â
- Horses, born 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
- Goats, born 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
- Oxes, born 1913, 1925, 1937,1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
- Rats, born 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
- Dragons, born 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
