Born in 1972 (Shōwa 47): eto and age
People born in 1972 turn 54 on their birthday in 2026.
On this page
- Year
- 1972
- Japanese era
- Shōwa 47
- Eto
- 壬子 Mizunoe-ne (Yang Water Rat)
- Animal
- Rat (子)
- Stem
- Mizunoe (壬)
- Nacchin
- Mulberry Wood
- Main star (Nine Star Ki)
- Ippaku Suisei
- Lucky direction (ehō)
- North-northwest
- Risshun
- Feb 5 2:20
- Kanreki
- 2032
1.The eto of 1972, and the Risshun rule
The eto of 1972 is 壬子 (Mizunoe-ne, the Yang Water Rat). In Four Pillars, Nine Star Ki and other Eastern astrology, though, the year begins at Risshun (Feb 5 in 1972). People born between 1 January 1972 and the moment of Risshun (Feb 5, 2:20) are treated as the previous year's 辛亥 Kanoto-i and Jikoku Dosei.
2.Personality of people born in 1972
壬子 combines 壬, the stem of the ocean and great rivers, with 子, the rat. In Japanese, “rat arithmetic” (nezumi-zan) means multiplying quickly, and the Rat stands for prosperity and many descendants. Rat people think fast, gather information well, act quickly and have a real talent for saving.
You think big, love freedom and combine wisdom with nerve. You get along with anyone.
Read more: meaning of 壬子, Year of the Rat and Ippaku Suisei.
3.School years in Japan for people born in 1972
Japanese school years run from 2 April to 1 April the next year, so people born between 1 January and 1 April (hayaumare) are in the grade above.
| Milestone | Born 2 Apr – 31 Dec | Born 1 Jan – 1 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school entry | 1979 Apr | 1978 Apr |
| Junior high entry | 1985 Apr | 1984 Apr |
| Senior high entry | 1988 Apr | 1987 Apr |
| University entry | 1991 Apr | 1990 Apr |
| Coming-of-age ceremony | 1993 Jan | 1992 Jan |
4.Longevity celebrations
| Celebration | Year |
|---|---|
| Kanreki (60) | 2032 |
| Koki (70) | 2042 |
| Kiju (77) | 2049 |
| Sanju (80) | 2052 |
| Beiju (88) | 2060 |
Kanreki is celebrated at 60 (61 in traditional counting). From Koki on, the celebrations were originally counted in traditional age, which would make each one a year earlier than shown.
5.Yakudoshi (unlucky years) for people born in 1972
Yakudoshi are counted in traditional age (kazoedoshi = the calendar year − birth year + 1; everyone gains a year on 1 January, regardless of birthday).
6.Fortune for the Rat in 2026 and 2027
2026: overall ★★☆☆☆ An uneven year: preparation and judgment are key
2027: overall ★★☆☆☆ An uneven year: preparation and judgment are key
Read the full fortune for the Rat →
7.The calendar of 1972
In 1972, Ippaku Suisei sat in the center of the Nine Star Ki year chart, and the lucky direction (where the year god Toshitokujin resides) was north-northwest. Years with the same eto are 1912 and 2032; years with the same eto and the same star come every 180 years (1792, 2152).
Your birth year is only the start. Calculate the eto of your birth day (your Day Master) for a deeper look at your personality and fortune: try the free Four Pillars chart or astrology reading.
8.FAQ
How old is someone born in 1972?
They turn 54 on their birthday in 2026 (and are 53 before it). In traditional kazoedoshi counting they are 55.
What is the eto of 1972?
The eto of 1972 is 壬子 (Mizunoe-ne), the Yang Water Rat, a Year of the Rat.
What is the Nine Star Ki star for 1972?
People born on or after Risshun (Feb 5) are Ippaku Suisei; those born before it are Jikoku Dosei.