Years of the Dragon include 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952...
The Dragon is the fifth of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Each year has an animal sign according to the 12-year cycle. The next dragon year is 2024, starting from February 10th, 2024 (Chinese New Year) and ending on January 28th, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Eve).
The Dragon symbolizes power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture. The Dragon is a supernatural being with no parallel for talent and excellence.
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Zodiac Dragon Years

If you were born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024, then your Chinese zodiac sign is Dragon.
Those born in January or February should take particular note of when Chinese New Year falls to confirm their birth sign. Each Dragon year also has one of five elements associated with it.
Each Dragon year also has one of five elements associated with it.
You can use our free Chinese zodiac sign calculator tool to find your zodiac animal sign or see the table below.
Years of the Dragon | Chinese Zodiac Years Calendar | Types of Dragon |
---|---|---|
1940 | February 8, 1940 – January 26, 1941 | Gold Dragon |
1952 | January 27, 1952 – February 13, 1953 | Water Dragon |
1964 | February 13, 1964 – February 1, 1965 | Wood Dragon |
1976 | January 31, 1976 – February 17, 1977 | Fire Dragon |
1988 | February 17, 1988 – February 5, 1989 | Earth Dragon |
2000 | February 5, 2000 – January 23, 2001 | Gold Dragon |
2012 | January 23, 2012 – February 9, 2013 | Water Dragon |
2024 | February 10, 2024 – January 28, 2025 | Wood Dragon |
The Dragon's Personality: Confident, Intelligent...
Among the Chinese zodiac animals, the dragon is the sole imaginary animal. The Chinese dragon is the most vital and powerful beast in the Chinese zodiac, although Dragons have an infamous reputation for being a hothead and possessing a sharp tongue.
In ancient times, people thought that Dragons were best suited to be leaders of the world with their character traits of dominance and ambition.
Gifted with innate courage, tenacity, and intelligence, Dragons are enthusiastic and confident. They are not afraid of challenges, and willing to take risks.
However, Dragons are sometimes regarded as aggressive, and angry Dragons are not open to criticism. They don't consider themselves irritating and arrogant. Instead of following tradition, they strive for a smooth future.
Which Type of 'Dragon' Are You?
In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth, which means that a Wood Dragon, for example, comes once in a 60-year cycle.





It is theorized that a person's characteristics are decided by their birth year's zodiac animal sign and element. So there are five types of Dragons, each with different characteristics:
Type of Dragon | Characteristics |
---|---|
Wood Dragon (1964, 2024) | Introverted, less enthusiastic, and lacking in good relationships |
Fire Dragon (1916, 1976) | Smart and easygoing, agile and flexible |
Earth Dragon (1928, 1988) | Smart, ambitious, and hardworking |
Gold Dragon (1940, 2000) | Natural and straightforward, talent and desire to be seen |
Water Dragon (1952, 2012) | Persevering, farsighted, and vigorous |
See Chinese Zodiac Dragons of 5 Elements: Characters and Destinies.
Lucky Things for People Born in the Year of Dragon

Things that will bring Dragons luck:
- Lucky numbers: 1, 6 and 7
- Lucky days: the 1st and 16th of any Chinese lunar calendar month
- Lucky colors: gold, silver, grayish white
- Lucky flowers: bleeding-heart glory bower, dragon flowers
- Lucky direction: east, north, south
- Lucky months: the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Chinese lunar months.
Things that Dragons should avoid:
- Unlucky colors: blue, green
- Unlucky numbers: 3 and 8
- Unlucky direction: northwest
- Unlucky months: the 5th and 6th Chinese lunar months
Dragon's Horoscope Predictions for 2023
2023 is a year of the Rabbit. Dragons, your fortunes will be affected by some opposition to Tai Sui (the Age Star), but there is no need to worry too much, because you will also be taken care of by lucky stars this year.
With the help of lucky star Yue De, your career development will be smooth sailing.
Your zodiac-ordained financial path will develop in a good direction, especially in the area of earnings, which will be significantly improved.
Single Dragons, you will encounter many setbacks in the process of interacting with the opposite sex, and you will easily feel disheartened about the prospects of marriage. Dragons who have a romantic partner, your relationship will be relatively flat this year, especially between husbands and wives, and there will often be quarrels over small things in life.
Check outMonthly Predictions for Dragon in 2023
How to Be Luckier in 2023

In 2023, red and purple are predicted to bring luck or avoid trouble for Dragons. Dragon people may dress in red or purple to invoke this luck, including outer clothing, bags, shoes, underwear, and even socks. Additionally, red/purple colored-glaze auspicious decorations are considered good for promoting financial fortunes.
If you want to wear accessories in 2023, you are suggested to avoid choosing the shapes of zodiac animals in opposition to the Dragon, i.e. Rabbit, Dog, and Dragon.
You are also advised to mix more with people who are Rats, Monkeys, and Roosters, because they may you bring valuable information or luck. You will have a smooth life and a successful career with such important acquaintances around you.
Dragons' Love Compatibility: Is She/He Compatible with You?

Each animal sign has its unique characteristics. Love compatibility according to the Chinese zodiac takes into account the characteristics of each animal. Only those whose characteristics match each other well can be good partners. See below the compatibility of the Dragon with other animals.
- Best Matched Zodiac Signs with Dragon: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster
- Least Matched Zodiac Signs with Dragon: Dog
Want to know if she/he is compatible with you? Use our zodiac love compatibility calculator below. Or you can check the 12 Chinese zodiac signs' love compatibility in detail.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator
Best-Suited Careers for Dragons
Dragons like to embrace challenges and take risks. Jobs that allow them to test themselves are good choices. Some good careers include: journalist, teacher, teacher, lawyer, engineer, architect, broker and sales person.
Famous Dragon Year People
- Charles Darwin: born on February 12, 1809, an Earth Dragon
- Bruce Lee: born on November 27, 1940, a Gold Dragon
- John Lennon: born on October 9, 1940, a Gold Dragon
- Vladimir Putin: born on October 7, 1952, a Water Dragon
Why is the Dragon an Auspicious Sign in China?

Different from in Western culture, a Dragon in Chinese culture is a mythical, auspicious, and supreme being/creature. In Chinese mythology, Dragons have great power to control wind and rain, soar through the skies, and turn over rivers and seas, as well as bringing prosperity to the world.
Being a believed benefit to farming in an agricultural society, dragons are considered mighty mascots, communicating between heaven, earth, and humans to bring good weather and hence plentiful harvests and/or a boom in wealth.
Therefore, in ancient times, emperors were regarded as real dragons and the sons of Heaven, and Chinese people were assumed to the descendants of dragons. To worship dragons' dignity and divinity, China's ancients put the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, and it has long been the most popular zodiac animal in China. Many Chinese couples choose to have a baby in a year of the Dragon.
Is Year of the Dragon 2024 Good for Having a Baby?

According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is a Wood Dragon Year. Wood indicates calmness, loyalty, and reliability and Dragons endowed with prominent abilities and revolutionary ideas.
Such features incline Wood Dragons towards a successful life. Even though stubbornness and a little arrogance are innate with Dragons, these negative traits, sometimes, may be the key to achieving their goals.
If you plan to give birth in the next year of the Dragon, it would be a good decision, as Chinese astrology predicts you would have a lucky baby with a good character in 2024.
Why Is the Dragon Ranked Fifth in the Chinese Zodiac?
According to one of many myths, the Jade Emperor held a race and decreed that the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac would be decided by who crossed the finish line in the first 12 places. It would seem a matter of common sense that the mighty Dragon would be deserving of first place, however he did not achieve this. He came after the Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat. Why was this?...
When Dragon was on his way to the finish line, he found a village suffering from a very serious drought — even its plants and crops did not grow, and a great number of people were in famine. So, he flew across the clouds and opened his mouth to make rain and solved their hardship.
Dragon continued on in the race, but after a while, he saw another village threatened by a flood. He stopped without hesitation and opened his mouth to absorb the water. His efforts and powers moved the flood waters to the sea, and the disaster at the village was averted.
As Dragon hurried on his way towards the race's end, he saw that Rabbit was being chased by a wolf. In order to deal with the wolf and save Rabbit, he let Rabbit go on ahead. So, by generously helping those he met on the way, as is always his nature, Dragon came in after Rabbit in the zodiac race.
Check Other Chinese Zodiac Animals
Years of the Dragon include 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952...
The Dragon is the fifth of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Each year has an animal sign according to the 12-year cycle. The next dragon year is 2024, starting from February 10th, 2024 (Chinese New Year) and ending on January 28th, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Eve).
The Dragon symbolizes power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture. The Dragon is a supernatural being with no parallel for talent and excellence.
Content Preview
Zodiac Dragon Years

If you were born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024, then your Chinese zodiac sign is Dragon.
Those born in January or February should take particular note of when Chinese New Year falls to confirm their birth sign. Each Dragon year also has one of five elements associated with it.
Each Dragon year also has one of five elements associated with it.
You can use our free Chinese zodiac sign calculator tool to find your zodiac animal sign or see the table below.
Years of the Dragon | Chinese Zodiac Years Calendar | Types of Dragon |
---|---|---|
1940 | February 8, 1940 – January 26, 1941 | Gold Dragon |
1952 | January 27, 1952 – February 13, 1953 | Water Dragon |
1964 | February 13, 1964 – February 1, 1965 | Wood Dragon |
1976 | January 31, 1976 – February 17, 1977 | Fire Dragon |
1988 | February 17, 1988 – February 5, 1989 | Earth Dragon |
2000 | February 5, 2000 – January 23, 2001 | Gold Dragon |
2012 | January 23, 2012 – February 9, 2013 | Water Dragon |
2024 | February 10, 2024 – January 28, 2025 | Wood Dragon |
The Dragon's Personality: Confident, Intelligent...
Among the Chinese zodiac animals, the dragon is the sole imaginary animal. The Chinese dragon is the most vital and powerful beast in the Chinese zodiac, although Dragons have an infamous reputation for being a hothead and possessing a sharp tongue.
In ancient times, people thought that Dragons were best suited to be leaders of the world with their character traits of dominance and ambition.
Gifted with innate courage, tenacity, and intelligence, Dragons are enthusiastic and confident. They are not afraid of challenges, and willing to take risks.
However, Dragons are sometimes regarded as aggressive, and angry Dragons are not open to criticism. They don't consider themselves irritating and arrogant. Instead of following tradition, they strive for a smooth future.
Which Type of 'Dragon' Are You?
In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth, which means that a Wood Dragon, for example, comes once in a 60-year cycle.
It is theorized that a person's characteristics are decided by their birth year's zodiac animal sign and element. So there are five types of Dragons, each with different characteristics:
Type of Dragon | Characteristics |
---|---|
Wood Dragon (1964, 2024) | Introverted, less enthusiastic, and lacking in good relationships |
Fire Dragon (1916, 1976) | Smart, unreliable, and easygoing |
Earth Dragon (1928, 1988) | Smart, ambitious, and hardworking |
Gold Dragon (1940, 2000) | Natural and straightforward, unpredictable with continually changing emotions |
Water Dragon (1952, 2012) | Persevering, farsighted, and vigorous |
See Chinese Zodiac Dragons of 5 Elements: Characters and Destinies.
Lucky Things for People Born in the Year of Dragon

Things that will bring Dragons luck:
- Lucky numbers: 1, 6 and 7
- Lucky days: the 1st and 16th of any Chinese lunar calendar month
- Lucky colors: gold, silver, grayish white
- Lucky flowers: bleeding-heart glory bower, dragon flowers
- Lucky direction: east, north, south
- Lucky months: the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Chinese lunar months.
Things that Dragons should avoid:
- Unlucky colors: blue, green
- Unlucky numbers: 3 and 8
- Unlucky direction: northwest
- Unlucky months: the 5th and 6th Chinese lunar months
Dragon's Horoscope Predictions for 2023
2023 is a year of the Rabbit. Dragons, your fortunes will be affected by some opposition to Tai Sui (the Age Star), but there is no need to worry too much, because you will also be taken care of by lucky stars this year.
With the help of lucky star Yue De, your career development will be smooth sailing.
Your zodiac-ordained financial path will develop in a good direction, especially in the area of earnings, which will be significantly improved.
Single Dragons, you will encounter many setbacks in the process of interacting with the opposite sex, and you will easily feel disheartened about the prospects of marriage. Dragons who have a romantic partner, your relationship will be relatively flat this year, especially between husbands and wives, and there will often be quarrels over small things in life.
Check outMonthly Predictions for Dragon in 2023
How to Be Luckier in 2023

In 2023, red and purple are predicted to bring luck or avoid trouble for Dragons. Dragon people may dress in red or purple to invoke this luck, including outer clothing, bags, shoes, underwear, and even socks. Additionally, red/purple colored-glaze auspicious decorations are considered good for promoting financial fortunes.
If you want to wear accessories in 2023, you are suggested to avoid choosing the shapes of zodiac animals in opposition to the Dragon, i.e. Rabbit, Dog, and Dragon.
You are also advised to mix more with people who are Rats, Monkeys, and Roosters, because they may you bring valuable information or luck. You will have a smooth life and a successful career with such important acquaintances around you.
Dragons' Love Compatibility: Is She/He Compatible with You?

Each animal sign has its unique characteristics. Love compatibility according to the Chinese zodiac takes into account the characteristics of each animal. Only those whose characteristics match each other well can be good partners. See below the compatibility of the Dragon with other animals.
- Best Matched Zodiac Signs with Dragon: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster
- Least Matched Zodiac Signs with Dragon: Dog
Want to know if she/he is compatible with you? Use our zodiac love compatibility calculator below. Or you can check the 12 Chinese zodiac signs' love compatibility in detail.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator
Best-Suited Careers for Dragons
Dragons like to embrace challenges and take risks. Jobs that allow them to test themselves are good choices. Some good careers include: journalist, teacher, teacher, lawyer, engineer, architect, broker and sales person.
Famous Dragon Year People
- Charles Darwin: born on February 12, 1809, an Earth Dragon
- Bruce Lee: born on November 27, 1940, a Gold Dragon
- John Lennon: born on October 9, 1940, a Gold Dragon
- Vladimir Putin: born on October 7, 1952, a Water Dragon
Why is the Dragon an Auspicious Sign in China?

Different from in Western culture, a Dragon in Chinese culture is a mythical, auspicious, and supreme being/creature. In Chinese mythology, Dragons have great power to control wind and rain, soar through the skies, and turn over rivers and seas, as well as bringing prosperity to the world.
Being a believed benefit to farming in an agricultural society, dragons are considered mighty mascots, communicating between heaven, earth, and humans to bring good weather and hence plentiful harvests and/or a boom in wealth.
Therefore, in ancient times, emperors were regarded as real dragons and the sons of Heaven, and Chinese people were assumed to the descendants of dragons. To worship dragons' dignity and divinity, China's ancients put the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, and it has long been the most popular zodiac animal in China. Many Chinese couples choose to have a baby in a year of the Dragon.
Is Year of the Dragon 2024 Good for Having a Baby?

According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is a Wood Dragon Year. Wood indicates calmness, loyalty, and reliability and Dragons endowed with prominent abilities and revolutionary ideas.
Such features incline Wood Dragons towards a successful life. Even though stubbornness and a little arrogance are innate with Dragons, these negative traits, sometimes, may be the key to achieving their goals.
If you plan to give birth in the next year of the Dragon, it would be a good decision, as Chinese astrology predicts you would have a lucky baby with a good character in 2024.
Why Is the Dragon Ranked Fifth in the Chinese Zodiac?
According to one of many myths, the Jade Emperor held a race and decreed that the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac would be decided by who crossed the finish line in the first 12 places. It would seem a matter of common sense that the mighty Dragon would be deserving of first place, however he did not achieve this. He came after the Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat. Why was this?...
When Dragon was on his way to the finish line, he found a village suffering from a very serious drought — even its plants and crops did not grow, and a great number of people were in famine. So, he flew across the clouds and opened his mouth to make rain and solved their hardship.
Dragon continued on in the race, but after a while, he saw another village threatened by a flood. He stopped without hesitation and opened his mouth to absorb the water. His efforts and powers moved the flood waters to the sea, and the disaster at the village was averted.
As Dragon hurried on his way towards the race's end, he saw that Rabbit was being chased by a wolf. In order to deal with the wolf and save Rabbit, he let Rabbit go on ahead. So, by generously helping those he met on the way, as is always his nature, Dragon came in after Rabbit in the zodiac race.