The Chinese Zodiac
Year of the Dragon

Years of the Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

The symbolism of the East Asian dragon could not be more diametrically opposed to that of the western or Celtic dragon, as noted in this definition of the dragon tattoo symbol.

Particularly in China, it is difficult to imagine a more positive and powerful symbol. Although it is a mysterious and supernatural being, the dragon controls the forces of nature, particularly rain and thunder. It is equally at home in the sea or sky, although it typically has no wings. Dragons naturally lent themselves as symbols of imperial law-giving and just rule and were adopted by Chinese emperors as early as the Han dynasty when the five-clawed turquoise dragon Lung was used as a motif.

In the Chinese zodiac, people who are born in the Year of the Dragon are simply considered more powerful and lucky than anyone else. They naturally attract attention, are used to finishing first, and have the self-confidence and ego that go along with their tendency to do things on a grand scale. Endowed with tremendous energy, intelligence, and talent, Dragon people enjoy the attention but can also have a helpful and charitable side as well.

People born in the Year of the Dragon are considered most compatible with people born in the Year of the Rat or Monkey while they are least compatible with those born in the Year of the Dog.