1988 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Earth Dragon
戊辰 · 龙 Lóng
1988 is the Year of the Earth Dragon. The Chinese year ran from Feb 17, 1988 to Feb 5, 1989, so anyone born in that span is an Earth Dragon. Born in January or early February? Lunar New Year fell on Feb 17, 1988, and earlier births belong to the Fire Rabbit year.
- Dragon
- Earth
- Yang
Born in 1988?
Enter your birth date to check, down to the exact Lunar New Year.
Month and day are optional. Add them if you were born in January or February. See January and February Chinese zodiac.
1988 at a Glance
- Animal
- Dragon 龙 lóng
- Element
- Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year name
- 戊辰 · sound element 大林木
- Begins
- Wednesday, Feb 17, 1988
- Ends
- Feb 5, 1989
- Age in 2026
- 37 or 38
- Next Dragon year
- 2000
The 1988 Earth Dragon
The Chinese dragon is a bringer of rain, not fire: dragon kings were said to rule the seas and rivers, and farmers prayed to them in dry years. In tradition the Dragon is the boldest of the twelve signs.
The 1988 year ran from Feb 17, 1988 to Feb 5, 1989. Anyone born before Feb 17, 1988 is a Fire Rabbit, and a few early-February 1989 birthdays are still Earth Dragons. 1988 Dragons turn 38 in 2026.
Born in January or Early February 1988?
The Chinese year does not start on January 1. Lunar New Year 1988 was on Wednesday, Feb 17, 1988, so births before that date belong to the year before.
| Born | Sign | Year name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Feb 16, 1988 | Fire Rabbit | 丁卯 |
| Feb 17, 1988 to Feb 5, 1989 | Earth Dragon | 戊辰 |
So someone born on Feb 16, 1988 is a Fire Rabbit, and someone born on Feb 17, 1988 is an Earth Dragon. Dates are in China Standard Time.
What Is an Earth Dragon?
An Earth Dragon combines the Dragon with the element of the birth year. 1988 ends in 8, which gives Earth. The element repeats every 60 years, so other Earth Dragon years include 1928.
How Old Is a 1988 Dragon, and When Is the Next Dragon Year?
Someone born in 1988 turns 38 in 2026 and 39 in 2027. The last Dragon year was 1976, and the next is 2000. Your own sign year, called 本命年 (běnmìngnián), comes every 12 years. These are the Dragon years a 1988 Dragon lives through:
- 1988Earth DragonBornThis page
- 2000 Chinese zodiacMetal DragonTurns 12
- 2012 Chinese zodiacWater DragonTurns 24
- 2024 Chinese zodiacWood DragonTurns 36
- 2036Fire DragonTurns 48
1988 Dragon Compatibility: Best and Hardest Matches
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the signs in the Dragon's trine group and its Secret Friend, and is cautious about the opposite sign and the harm pair.
The 1988 Dragon in 2026 and 2027
How the traditional rules link the Dragon to the next two years, and how old a 1988 Dragon will be.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Steady
Turns 38. No formal link to the Horse in the traditional rules.
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
Turns 39. No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
Nearby Years
The years just before and after 1988, and the other years of the decade.
- 1986 Chinese zodiacFire TigerFeb 9, 1986 to Jan 28, 1987
- 1987 Chinese zodiacFire RabbitJan 29, 1987 to Feb 16, 1988
- 1988Earth DragonFeb 17, 1988 to Feb 5, 1989
- 1989 Chinese zodiacEarth SnakeFeb 6, 1989 to Jan 26, 1990
- 1990 Chinese zodiacMetal HorseJan 27, 1990 to Feb 14, 1991
Want every year on one sheet? Download the Chinese zodiac years chart PDF (A4, 1900 to 2035, with Lunar New Year dates).
1980 Chinese zodiac1981 Chinese zodiac1982 Chinese zodiac1983 Chinese zodiac1984 Chinese zodiac1985 Chinese zodiac1986 Chinese zodiac1987 Chinese zodiac19881989 Chinese zodiacAll Chinese zodiac years
1988 Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What Chinese zodiac is 1988?
1988 is the Year of the Earth Dragon. The Chinese year ran from Feb 17, 1988 to Feb 5, 1989.
What element is the 1988 Chinese zodiac?
Earth. A year's element follows its last digit: 8 gives Earth. The Dragon's own fixed element is Earth, which is a different thing.
What Chinese zodiac is January 1988?
Lunar New Year 1988 fell on Wednesday, Feb 17, 1988. Born from January 1 to Feb 16, 1988, you are a Fire Rabbit. From Feb 17, 1988, you are an Earth Dragon.
How old is someone born in 1988?
In 2026 they turn 38, or are 37 before their birthday. In 2027 they turn 39. Chinese tradition often counts age differently, adding one year at birth.
When is the next Dragon year after 1988?
2000, the Year of the Metal Dragon, begins on Feb 5, 2000.