Year of the Dragon
龙 Lóng
The Dragon is the fifth animal of the Chinese zodiac and the only mythical creature among the twelve. In Chinese tradition, people born in a Dragon year are seen as ambitious, energetic and charismatic, born to lead and not much used to taking second place.
- ambitious
- energetic
- charismatic
- confident
- generous
- proud
Are You a Dragon?
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.
Dragon at a Glance
- Order
- 5th of 12
- Chinese
- 龙 lóng, branch 辰 chén
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Own element
- Earth
- Best matches
- Rat, Monkey, Rooster
- Clashes with
- Dog
- Recent years
- 2000, 2012, 2024
- Next Dragon year
- 2036, from Jan 28, 2036
Dragon Zodiac Years
A Dragon year comes every 12 years and begins on Lunar New Year, between January 21 and February 20. Born in January or early February? Compare your birthday with the start date. If it came first, you belong to the sign before: the Rabbit.
- 1904Wood DragonFeb 16, 1904 to Feb 3, 1905
- 1916Fire DragonFeb 3, 1916 to Jan 22, 1917
- 1928Earth DragonJan 23, 1928 to Feb 9, 1929
- 1940Metal DragonFeb 8, 1940 to Jan 26, 1941
- 1952 Chinese zodiacWater DragonJan 27, 1952 to Feb 13, 1953
- 1964 Chinese zodiacWood DragonFeb 13, 1964 to Feb 1, 1965
- 1976 Chinese zodiacFire DragonJan 31, 1976 to Feb 17, 1977
- 1988 Chinese zodiacEarth DragonFeb 17, 1988 to Feb 5, 1989
- 2000 Chinese zodiacMetal DragonFeb 5, 2000 to Jan 23, 2001
- 2012 Chinese zodiacWater DragonJan 23, 2012 to Feb 9, 2013
- 2024 Chinese zodiacWood DragonFeb 10, 2024 to Jan 28, 2025
- 2036Fire DragonJan 28, 2036 to Feb 14, 2037Next
Dragon Zodiac Personality and Traits
In Chinese tradition the Dragon is ambitious, energetic and charismatic. Dragons think big, draw people in and like to be at the front. The same confidence can turn into pride and impatience with anyone who cannot keep up.
Strengths
- Ambition. Sets high goals and goes after them.
- Charisma. Draws people in without trying.
- Energy. Brings drive to everything it takes on.
- Courage. Not afraid of a big challenge.
- Generosity. Gives freely to those it respects.
Weaknesses
- Pride. Dislikes being told it is wrong.
- Impatience. Little patience for slow progress.
- Domineering. Takes charge whether or not asked.
- High standards. Expects the same from others as from itself.
- Temper. Fiery when crossed.
The Dragon Man and the Dragon Woman
These are sketches from tradition, not rules.
The Dragon Man
The Dragon man is pictured as confident, magnetic and used to being in charge. He is generous and brave, but wants to be heard and does not like being managed. His lesson is to listen before he leads.
The Dragon Woman
The Dragon woman is described as strong-willed, ambitious and bold. She sets high standards for herself and for those around her and is protective of her family. She does best with a partner who is secure enough to stand beside her.
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water Dragons
The last digit of your birth year sets your element, which is different from the Dragon’s own element (always Earth). Born in January or early February? If your birthday came before Lunar New Year, use the year before. The cycle repeats every 60 years.
Wood Dragon
Years ending in 4 or 51904, 1964, 2024
Wood makes the Dragon more creative and cooperative. Said to be open to new ideas, and more willing to share the spotlight.
Fire Dragon
Years ending in 6 or 71916, 1976, 2036
Fire makes the Dragon bolder. The Fire Dragon is described as the most passionate and daring of the five, and the hardest to hold back.
Earth Dragon
Years ending in 8 or 91928, 1988
Earth is the Dragon’s own element. The Earth Dragon is pictured as the steadiest of the five: practical, patient and reliable under pressure.
Metal Dragon
Years ending in 0 or 11940, 2000
Metal sharpens the Dragon. Determined, disciplined and competitive, the Metal Dragon is said to be the most single-minded of the five.
Water Dragon
Years ending in 2 or 31952, 2012
Water softens the Dragon. Perceptive and adaptable, the Water Dragon is described as a better listener and a more flexible leader.
Dragon Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches
Tradition gives the Dragon three best matches: the Rat and Monkey, its trine group, and the Rooster, its Secret Friend. The hardest are the Dog, directly opposite on the zodiac wheel, and the Rabbit, a harm pair. These come from fixed rules, not opinion.
Best Matches
- RatSame trine group 三合Rat and Dragon compatibility
- MonkeySame trine group 三合
- RoosterSecret Friend 六合Dragon and Rooster compatibility
Hardest Matches
- DogOpposite sign (clash) 六冲
- RabbitHarm pair 六害Rabbit and Dragon compatibility
Rat and Monkey
Same trine group. The Rat’s cleverness and the Monkey’s wit keep pace with the Dragon’s big plans and its energy.
Rooster
The Dragon’s Secret Friend, a traditional natural ally. The Rooster’s attention to detail complements the Dragon’s grand ideas.
Dog
Opposite the Dragon on the wheel, a clash. The Dog’s wariness and sense of justice meet the Dragon’s pride head on, and the two often disagree about who is right.
Rabbit
A harm pair. The quiet, careful Rabbit can feel overwhelmed by the Dragon’s forceful style, and the Dragon can find the Rabbit hesitant.
The Dragon in 2026 and 2027
For the full forecast, see the Dragon horoscope for 2027 and the 2027 Year of the Goat.
2026, the Fire Horse Year
The Horse has no formal link to the Dragon in the traditional rules, so tradition reads 2026 as neutral. A measured approach works better than a grand gesture.
2027, the Fire Goat Year
The Goat has no special link to the Dragon either. Tradition reads 2027 as a steady year, good for consolidating what you have built.
The Dragon in Chinese Culture: Meaning and Symbols
The Dragon took fifth place in the Great Race, the legend that set the order of the 12 animals. In one popular version it could have flown to the front, but it stopped to make rain for a village in drought and still finished fifth.
The Symbol of the Emperor
For centuries the dragon stood for the emperor. Imperial robes and palaces were covered in dragon designs, and the five-clawed dragon was reserved for the emperor himself.
Water and Rain
In Chinese folk belief dragons control water and bring rain, and dragon kings (龙王, lóngwáng) rule the seas and rivers. People prayed to them in times of drought.
Children of the Dragon
Many Chinese speak of themselves as 龙的传人 (lóng de chuánrén), descendants of the dragon. The dragon is a symbol of the Chinese people as well as of power and good fortune.
Spring and the Third Month
The Dragon’s earthly branch, 辰 (chén), marks the third month of the traditional solar calendar, which starts around April 5, and the hours from 7 to 9 in the morning.
Dragon Career, Money and Health
Traditional advice for the Dragon is the same in every area: aim high, and take other people’s advice along the way.
Career
Dragons do best in work that gives them room to lead and to build: entrepreneurship, management, law, entertainment and public office. Roles with little say and little visibility are harder.
Money
Tradition describes the Dragon as a bold earner and a generous giver. A useful habit is to keep a fixed reserve that the big plans cannot touch.
Health
Dragons are described as vigorous but prone to push too hard. Tradition links the Dragon’s Earth element with the stomach and with worry. That is cultural symbolism, not medical advice. Regular meals and real days off help most.
Dragon Zodiac FAQ
What years are the Year of the Dragon?
Dragon years include 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 and 2036. The next one starts on Jan 28, 2036. Each Dragon year begins on Lunar New Year, so check the exact dates if you were born in January or February.
I was born in January 2012. Am I a Dragon?
Probably not. Lunar New Year 2012 fell on January 23, so births from January 1 to 22 belong to the Rabbit year that began in 2011. From January 23, 2012 on, you are a Dragon.
Is the Dragon the luckiest sign?
It is the most admired. In Chinese culture the dragon stands for power, good fortune and the emperor, and many families hope for a Dragon baby. That does not make Dragons luckier, since no sign is lucky or unlucky on its own.
What is the Dragon's enemy sign?
The Dog. It sits opposite the Dragon on the zodiac wheel, a pairing tradition calls a clash. The Rabbit is the other hard match, a harm pair. Both point to friction in style, not a ban on friendship or marriage.
Who should a Dragon marry?
Tradition favors the Rooster, Rat and Monkey. The Rat and Monkey share the Dragon's trine group, and the Rooster is its Secret Friend. The Dog and Rabbit are harder. Real couples depend more on the two people than on their signs.
Is 2026 a good year for the Dragon?
It is usually read as a neutral year. The Horse has no formal link to the Dragon in the traditional rules, so 2026 is neither helped nor hindered. It rewards a measured approach over a grand gesture.