Earth Dragon Chinese Zodiac
土龙 tǔ lóng
An Earth Dragon was born in a Dragon year ending in 8 or 9: 1928, 1988 and 2048. Earth is the Dragon's own element, so the Earth Dragon is the Dragon doubled, but steadier. It is described as a grounded leader that turns big ambitions into practical plans.
- Earth
- Dragon
- Yang
Earth Dragon at a Glance
- Years
- 1928, 1988 and 2048
- Year element
- Earth 土 (years ending in 8 or 9)
- Dragon's own element
- Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 戊辰
- Next Earth Dragon year
- 2048
The Earth Dragon Turns Dreams Into Plans
Earth is the Dragon’s own element, and tradition gives the Earth Dragon the Dragon’s authority with a builder’s patience: it organizes, delegates and gets large projects done.
The 1988 Earth Dragons are Millennials turning 38 in 2026. The 1928 Earth Dragons, the first Silent Generation year, turn 98.
Which Years Are Earth Dragon Years?
The most recent Earth Dragon year began on Feb 17, 1988 and ended on Feb 5, 1989; the next comes in 2048. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | Jan 23, 1928 | Feb 9, 1929 | 戊辰 | 大林木 | 97 or 98 |
| 1988 Chinese zodiac | Feb 17, 1988 | Feb 5, 1989 | 戊辰 | 大林木 | 37 or 38 |
| 2048 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Earth Dragon Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Earth Dragon
- Grounded
- Authoritative
- Reliable
Challenges of the Earth Dragon
- Stubborn
- Controlling
- Inflexible
Earth Dragon in Love and at Work
In Love
Loyal and protective, and a steadfast partner.
At Work
A strong manager, builder and organizer of large projects.
The Five Kinds of Dragon
The Dragon's own element is always Earth; the birth year adds the second. For the Earth Dragon, the year element is the Dragon's own Earth, so it is doubled.
| Type | Years | With the Dragon's Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Dragon Chinese zodiac | 1904, 1964, 2024, 2084 | Wood restrains Earth |
| Fire Dragon Chinese zodiac | 1916, 1976, 2036, 2096 | Fire feeds Earth |
| Earth Dragon | 1928, 1988, 2048 | Doubled |
| Metal Dragon Chinese zodiac | 1940, 2000, 2060 | Earth feeds Metal |
| Water Dragon Chinese zodiac | 1952, 2012, 2072 | Earth restrains Water |
Earth Dragon Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Rat, Monkey and Rooster for the Dragon, and the Dog is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Steady
No formal link to the Horse in the traditional rules.
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
Other Earth Signs
All twelve animals have a Earth year. Each is a different mix.
- Earth Rat Chinese zodiac1948, 2008
- Earth Ox Chinese zodiac1949, 2009
- Earth Tiger Chinese zodiac1938, 1998
- Earth Rabbit Chinese zodiac1939, 1999
- Earth Snake Chinese zodiac1929, 1989
- Earth Horse Chinese zodiac1918, 1978
- Earth Goat Chinese zodiac1919, 1979
- Earth Monkey Chinese zodiac1968, 2028
- Earth Rooster Chinese zodiac1969, 2029
- Earth Dog Chinese zodiac1958, 2018
- Earth Pig Chinese zodiac1959, 2019
Earth Dragon Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is an Earth Dragon?
An Earth Dragon is someone born in a Dragon year that ends in 8 or 9. Earth Dragon years include 1928, 1988 and 2048. Tradition describes the Earth Dragon as grounded, authoritative and reliable.
What years are Earth Dragon years?
1928, 1988 and 2048. The 1988 year ran from Feb 17, 1988 to Feb 5, 1989.
Is the Dragon really a Earth sign?
The Dragon's own element is Earth, so Earth Dragons are the Dragon doubled: the sign's nature and the year's element agree.
How old is a Earth Dragon?
The most recent Earth Dragon years are 1928 and 1988. In 2026 someone born in 1988 turns 38.
When is the next Earth Dragon year?
2048. Dragon years return every 12 years and each element every 60.