The Year of the Dragon personality traits are characteristics that are common for those born under the sign of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Are you courageous, charismatic and quick to temper? If so, you may be a Chinese dragon!
Have you heard of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs of animals? If so, you will know that each of the animals – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, all repeat as the birth year in a 12-year cycle.
The Year of the Dragon happens once every 12 years. It has been a focal point of the Chinese New Year celebrations of 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024. Every 12 years after the current year, there will also be another Dragon year.
If you believe in Chinese astrology, you are aware that understanding the traits and characteristics of the animal of the current year can help you better understand yourself.
In this case, this would mean understanding The Year of the Dragon Chinese zodiac traits associated with the dragon. Having this knowledge can aid you in making good choices for life based on your understanding of your Chinese zodiac animal’s traits.
In addition to characteristics, each animal also has corresponding natural elements that give us even more information about the year and about ourselves.
Chinese Dragon zodiac meaning
The dragon is the fifth animal of the Chinese zodiac in the 12 year repeating cycle.
According to astrologers, the Chinese New Year dragon symbolizes power, good fortune, and prosperity. It is an imperial symbol, representing strength, long life, and is considered a guardian of wealth.
Throughout Chinese history, the dragon has been a symbol of imperial authority in China. Emperors used dragon motifs on their clothing, flags, and other regal symbols to represent their power and authority.
The dragon is also deeply ingrained in Chinese identity as it is often associated with the nation. It has been a symbol of strength, and reflects the historical unity of the Chinese people under imperial rule.
Different Chinese dynasties have adopted the dragon as a symbol, further emphasizing its association with political power and legitimacy. The dragon often represents the ruling family.
It was also believed that the Chinese New Year dragon is associated with good fortune and prosperity. This has led to its widespread use during celebrations and important events.
The lucky numbers for dragons are 1, 6, and 7.
Dragon legend and folklore
Chinese dragon mythology is rich with legends and stories that have contributed to the dragon’s significance in both cultural traditions and astrological contexts.
The Chinese have many myths and legends about dragons or dragon-like beings, both earthly and celestial. Some notable ones are:
- The Dragon Kings: Dragon Kings are associated with different bodies of water. They are powerful and benevolent deities who control the seas, rivers, and lakes.
- Nüwa and Fuxi: These are legendary figures in Chinese mythology, often depicted with the bodies of dragons. They are credited with creating humanity and establishing order.
- The Yellow Emperor’s Dragon: This legendary Chinese ruler is said to have been born with a dragon’s appearance. This dragon symbolism is associated with the emperor’s divine and noble qualities.
- The Dragon Boat Festival: The festival commemorates the poet Qu Yuan, who drowned in a river. It is believed that people raced dragon boats to scare away the river dragons and prevent them from harming Qu Yuan’s spirit.
Dragons are also featured in one of the Chinese New Year symbols, called the dragon dance. A large dragon puppet is maneuvered by a team of people to follow a “pearl of wisdom” which leads it on a quest for truth and knowledge.
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Celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Find out about this imperial animal that plays such a big part in Chinese culture, and learn how it figures into the Chinese zodiac. #yearofthedragon #chinesezodiac #astrology Share on XYear of the Dragon dates
Since the Chinese zodiac follows the lunisolar calendar, it does not completely align with your birthday in our solar calendar.
Would you like to know if you are a dragon? The handy chart below shows all the 12 year cycle of the Years of the Dragon, and includes every dragon year from 1916 to 2084.
You can print out the chart in high resolution here, click on the image to print it out, or use the project card at the bottom of this post to print it in a slightly smaller format.
The past Years of the Dragon include 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024 (the current year).
Future years include 2036, 2047, 2060. 2072, 2084 and every 12 years, thereafter.
What is the Dragon’s personality?
In China, the dragon is considered an animal of strength. They have many other positive qualities, too.
Like the dragon, people born in the Year of the Dragon are thought to be charismatic, ambitious, and intelligence. They inspire generosity and courageousness and are not afraid of challenges.
If you have a friend who was born in the Year of the Dragon, you will know that your friend is lively and assertive. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are also full of confidence.
On the negative side, Chinese dragons might be perceived to be arrogant and impatient. They are often though to be hot-tempered and easily provoked.
Some may think them to be inflexible and restless.
Those with the dragon birth year are often associated with order and harmony and do not like disorder and chaos.
Love compatibilities for the Chinese dragon
According to Chinese astrologists, individuals born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be most compatible with those born in the Year of the Monkey and the Year of the Rooster.
These compatibility assessments are based on the Chinese zodiac and its associated personality traits. The Monkey and the Rooster are considered good matches for the Dragon because they share similar characteristics and can complement each other well.
On the other hand, those born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be less compatible with people born in the Year of the Dog and the Year of the Rabbit.
These signs are considered less harmonious with the Dragon, and potential conflicts may arise due to differences in personality traits and characteristics.
The Chinese Dragon and the Five Elements
In Chinese astrology, each of the twelve animal signs, including the Dragon, is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
The fixed element for the Dragon is water.
The Chinese zodiac operates on a 60-year cycle, and each year is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Additionally, each year is linked to one of the twelve animal signs.
The Year 2024 is associated with the Wood element and the Animal sign of the Dragon. Therefore, 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon. The last Wood Dragon year was in 1964, and the next will be in 2084.
Dragon Feng Shui
In the Chinese art of Feng Shui, the dragon is a powerful and positive symbol associated with various aspects of life. Dragons are considered protective creatures in Feng Shui.
Dragons are also linked to wealth and prosperity. Many people place dragon symbols in areas associated with finances, such as the wealth corner of a home or office, as this is believed to attract abundance and good fortune.
The Chinese dragon is also thought, by those who practice Feng Shui, to be an aid in career success and in health and harmony. They are also considered a symbol of balance.
In astrology, Dragon predictions are used to guide a person through the following year.
Chinese philosophers believe that good fengshui brings good luck. They think that each of the natural elements has a unique quality that can be expressed in color, compass direction, seasons, and shapes, etc.
If your sign is that of the Dragon, your lucky element is earth, so you should incorporate earth elements into your life:
- East is generally considered an auspicious direction for the Dragon.
- Tiger’s eye, jasper, and hematite are good gemstones to use
- Indoor plants are a great uses of earthly elements in a Dragon’s home.
- Incorporate earthy tones such as yellow, brown and beige.
- Use square and rectangular shapes to represent stability and balance.
- Earthy material represent stability, so terracotta and clay pots are useful.
To practice good fengshui for a Dragon, you could use a square shaped clay pot in an easterly facing window with yellow flowers and sit some gemstones nearby.
These practices are thought to encourage good luck and enhance your health, wealth and longevity.
Famous people born in the Year of the Dragon
Were you born in the Year of the Dragon? Lucky you! You share the traits of these famous people:
- John Lennon
- Jeb Bush
- Bruce Lee
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Shakira
- Rihanna
- Tom Jones
If you were born in a Dragon year, do you feel that you have the traits of the animal? Let us know in the comments below.
Pin this post for later
Would you like a reminder of this post that talks about the characteristics of the zodiac sign of the dragon? Just pin this image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
You can also watch our video on YouTube.
Year of the Dragon Printable
Would you like a handy copy of the dates for the year of the Dragon? Print out this chart and keep it handy or frame it for a table decoration.
Materials
- Heavy cardstock
Tools
- Deskjet printer
Instructions
- Load your desk jet printer with heavy cardstock.
- Print out the image below.
- Store in your journal or frame for a decor item.
- Using this print function on this card will print a calendar that fills about 3/4 of an 8 x 11 sheet of paper.
- To fill the entire page, choose 125% or "fit to page" on your printer if you have this setting,.
- You can also use the link before the image in the post above and print using the browser print feature.
Notes
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