The Dragon ( 龍 ) is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac. In China, dragons are associated with strength, health, harmony, and good luck; they are placed above doors or on the tops of roofs to banish demons and evil spirits. The Year of the Dragon is associated with the earthly branch symbol 辰.
Within Chinese cultures, more babies are born in Dragon years than in any other animal years.
Years and the Five Elements
A Chinese dragon
Persons born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the “year of the Dragon,” while also bearing the following elemental sign:
- 16 February 1904 – 3 February 1905: Wood Dragon
- 3 February 1916 – 22 January 1917: Fire Dragon
- 23 January 1928 – 9 February 1929: Earth Dragon
- 8 February 1940 – 26 January 1941: Metal Dragon
- 27 January 1952 – 13 February 1953: Water Dragon
- 13 February 1964 – 1 February 1965: Wood Dragon
- 31 January 1976 – 17 February 1977: Fire Dragon
- 17 February 1988 – 5 February 1989: Earth Dragon
- 5 February 2000 – 23 January 2001: Metal Dragon
- 2012 – 2013: Water Dragon
- 2024 – 2025: Wood Dragon
[edit] Attributes
The Dragon is omnipotent. He/she is flamboyant, attractive and full of vitality and strength. In China, the Dragon is the sign of the Emperor of China or the male element Yang. The Dragon is the symbol of power and wealth.
It would be right to say that people born in the year of the dragon have a natural charisma and are certainly gifted with power and luck. It is unlikely for them to escape unnoticed from a party or to take second place in a competition. The dragon person has an active mind and shows an unfeigned interest in the world around him/her. This person is also self-confident enough to know how to create a necessary impression. Because they are larger than life themselves, dragon people like to do everything on a grand scale. They are egotistical self-grandising and ambitious, almost to the point of megalomania. They will stop at nothing to get what they want. A person born in this year wears the crown of destiny, and is capable of great achievements if he or she knows how to harness his or her tremendous energy, intelligence and talent. While these people enjoy being the center of attention, they also have a brave and charitable side to their personality. If a dragon’s friend faces a problem or dilemma, he or she will be there to offer help, and when others leave the field of battle the dragon takes a step forward to solve the problem with authority and dignity. Dragons set a high standard of actions for themselves as well as for other people and are surprised when others cannot cope with a task; they are so carried away by the process that they fail to see other people’s weaknesses.
Ideal jobs for dragons include kings, military officer, politician, musician, buffers, poet, artist, biological and environmental engineer, stockbroker, athlete, trade union leader, company director, explorer, and attorney.
The Dragon is most compatible with the Rat, Monkey, Snake and Rooster.
[edit] Traditional Dragon Attributes/Associations
| Attribute | |
|---|---|
| Zodiac Location | 5th |
| Ruling hours | 7am-9am |
| Direction | East-southeast |
| Season and month | Spring, April |
| Lunar Month Dates | April 5-May 4 |
| Gemstone | Amethyst |
| Colors | Black, Gold |
| Roughly equivalent western sign | Aries |
| Polarity | Yang |
| Element | Wood |
| Food | Wheat, poultry |
| Positive Traits | Noble, ambitious, dignified, charismatic, vibrant, magnanimous, expansive, powerful |
| Negative Traits | Ruthless, imperious, judgmental, arrogant, dogmatic, pompous, despotic, intolerant, demanding |
| Countries |  China,  United Kingdom,  Iran,  Denmark,  Japan,  Bulgaria |
[edit] See also
