The majestic Dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese Zodiac and one of the luckiest signs. The Dragon is one of the most revered animals in Chinese culture. Due to the Dragon’s significance and good fortune, more births occur during a Year of the Dragon than on any other year. Those born under the Dragon tend to be intelligent, hardworking, passionate, and successful. However, their ambitious nature can lead to ill tempers and stubbornness.
Basic Astrology Elements
Though most people are aware of the yearly assignment of the Chinese Zodiac signs, Chinese astrology digs deeper and each sign is also tied to a month, day, and hours. The sign of the year you were born represents how you present yourself, your birth month represents your inner self, the day of your birth is your true self, and the hour you were born reveals your secret self. Figuring out your 4 pillars can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.
The Dragon is in the 5th position of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac
Years of the Dragon: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Earthly Branch of Birth Year: 辰 Chen
Wu Xing (The Five Elements): Earth (Tu)
Yin Yang: Yang
Chinese Symbol: 
Lóng
Season: Spring
Lunar Month: 3rd
Gregorian Date and Western Zodiac Equivalent: Apr 5 – Apr 19 Aries or Apr 20 – May 4 Taurus
Solar Term and Longitude: 14° 清明 qīngmíng or 29° 穀雨 gǔyǔ
Hours (based on local solar time) : 7:00-8:59 This is the time when Dragons are hovering in the sky to give rain
Days: Zodiac animal of the day you were born can be calculated here: https://www.traditionalfengshui.co.za/fourpillarssoftware.htm
Personality Traits
The Dragon is generally a highly regarded sign and those born during a Dragon year tend to have personalities befitting those that are revered. Dragons possess many great traits that lead them to have successful lives, often exhibiting great intelligence, passion, confidence, and a drive to succeed. On the flipside of Dragons’ winning traits is the tendency to be stubborn, arrogant, hot tempered, and impatient. Of course, there are downsides to being put on a pedestal and if unchecked, these negative attributes can lead to a Dragon being feared rather than respected.
Positive Traits: Magnanimous, Passionate, Decisive, Ambitious, Dignified, Proud, Noble, and Intelligent
Negative Traits: Arrogant, Demanding, Tactless, Stubborn, Unrealistic, Impetuous, Intolerant, and Tyrannical
Elemental Variations
Though all Dragons share similar personality traits, their elemental variations can heighten or dull certain traits and produce dragons with vastly different personalities.
Fire Dragon: 1976
Like all dragons, fire dragons are highly intelligent and hardworking. Fire dragons tend to be friendly and well liked by others. Their easygoing nature makes them adaptable, however this often makes them seem fickle or unreliable. Since they are so friendly, fire dragons often wear their hearts on their sleeves and are open and honest with their feelings. Because of their trusting nature, fire dragons are often tricked and mislead. Fire dragons are usually lucky in love, but need to be careful with their bad tempers.
Wood Dragon: 1964
Wood dragons possess traits that are atypical to other dragons. They tend to be shy and introverted. Due to their desire for solitude, wood dragons often have few friends. Although they are unlucky in friendship, they are often charming and successfully attract members of the opposite sex. Wood dragons are hard workers and high achievers, both traits they share with all other dragons. They have tremendous luck with money and are well suited to finding success far from home.
Water Dragon: 1952 or 2012
Rather than the typical need of dragons to fill a leadership position, water dragons would rather be followers. Water dragons are charismatic and have good personal relationships. They surround themselves with people who can help guide them in the right direction. In addition to having many friends, water dragons are lucky in love and have no trouble finding a partner. Though they are well liked, water dragons are often stubborn and selfish.
Metal Dragon: 1940 or 2000
Metal dragons are the hardest of all the dragons to get along with. They are outspoken and hyperactive and can often rub people the wrong way. Since it is hard for metal dragons to make friends, they show great affection for people that take the time to get to know them. Metal dragons are highly creative, but very disorganized. They often try to lead extravagant lives and take pleasure in showing off to others.
Earth Dragon: 1928 or 1988
Born leaders with sharp minds, Earth dragons are what come to mind when people think of dragons. Earth dragons are intelligent, hardworking, and competent individuals who will do what it takes to finish a task. Though they initially show great success and enthusiasm, they can often give up when things get too tough. Earth dragons often put others before themselves and are very caring and positive. They often celebrate other’s success before their own. They can be impulsive with money and love to shop.
Career Options
All those born during the Year of the Dragon tend to be diligent workers driven by a great need to succeed. Dragons are often career oriented, putting aside other aspects of their life. They tend to be dreamers who seek challenges. Though they are hardworking, they don’t take criticism well and are best suited to careers that allow them freedom and creativity.
Best Career Options: Teacher, Lawyer, Architect, Engineer, Interior Designer, Inventor, and Artist
Luck
Dragons are thought of to be generally very lucky. Of course, like all signs, certain things bring them more luck and others should be avoided.
Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7
Lucky Colors: Gold, Silver, Hoary
Lucky Flowers: Bleeding Heart Vine, Larkspur, Hyacinth
Lucky Directions: North, East, South
Lucky Days: 1st and 16th of any Chinese Lunar calendar month
Lucky Months: The 3rd, 4th, and 7th Chinese lunar months
Unlucky Numbers: 3, 8, 9
Unlucky Colors: Black, Purple, Red, and Green
Unlucky Directions: Northwest
Unlucky Months: The 5th and 6th Chinese lunar months
Relationships
Dragons are usually married to their careers and often don’t have time for relationships. In general, dragons are unlikely to fall in love and instead are successful in other areas of their life. If a dragon does find love, it’s usually later in life after they’ve established a successful career. Though dragons tend to put off marriage, they often have many friends.
Best Match: Rat, Monkey, Snake
Dragons tend to be the most compatible with signs that help ground their negative traits and share similar interests. They seek partners who are cunning, like the Rat. Monkeys understand dragons the best and share their creativity. Dragons are often caring and match well with Snakes who provide tenderness and care in exchange for guidance.
Worst Match: Ox, Dog, Sheep
Dragons are incredibly stubborn and clash with the equally unmoving Ox. Dragons value strength and often see Sheep as weak. Dragons are often uncomfortable with Dogs and dislike their guarded nature. Overall, dragons are incompatible with signs that are equally stubborn, selfish, and unforgiving.
Good Friends: Rooster, Horse, Rabbit, Pig
Dragons value praise and admiration, getting along best with people who freely give both. Those under the sign of the Rooster, Horse, Rabbit, and Pig respect dragons for their strength and noble qualities. These signs make great friends for dragons.
