龍Chinese zodiac · 5th sign
Year of the Dragon 龍 (lóng) · Powerful, lucky and larger than life
The Dragon is the fifth sign and the only mythical creature in the zodiac. Dragon years are considered especially auspicious, and people born in them are confident, ambitious and full of energy.
- Yang sign
- Fixed element: Earth
- Hours: 7am–9am
- Branch: 辰 chén
Recent years
2000 · 2012 · 2024
Lucky numbers
1, 6, 7
Lucky colors
Gold, silver, white
Lucky flowers
Bleeding heart, dragon flower
Best matches
Rat, Monkey, Rooster
Challenging matches
Dog, Rabbit
Year of the Dragon dates
The Year of the Dragon comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why an Earth Dragon is not quite the same as a Metal Dragon.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | 23 Jan 1928 – 9 Feb 1929 | Earth Dragon | 戊辰 (wù chén) |
| 1940 | 8 Feb 1940 – 26 Jan 1941 | Metal Dragon | 庚辰 (gēng chén) |
| 1952 | 27 Jan 1952 – 13 Feb 1953 | Water Dragon | 壬辰 (rén chén) |
| 1964 | 13 Feb 1964 – 1 Feb 1965 | Wood Dragon | 甲辰 (jiǎ chén) |
| 1976 | 31 Jan 1976 – 17 Feb 1977 | Fire Dragon | 丙辰 (bǐng chén) |
| 1988 | 17 Feb 1988 – 5 Feb 1989 | Earth Dragon | 戊辰 (wù chén) |
| 2000 | 5 Feb 2000 – 23 Jan 2001 | Metal Dragon | 庚辰 (gēng chén) |
| 2012 | 23 Jan 2012 – 9 Feb 2013 | Water Dragon | 壬辰 (rén chén) |
| 2024 | 10 Feb 2024 – 28 Jan 2025 | Wood Dragon | 甲辰 (jiǎ chén) |
| 2036 | 28 Jan 2036 – 14 Feb 2037 | Fire Dragon | 丙辰 (bǐng chén) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
Dragon personality
Dragons think big and expect a lot, of themselves first. They are enthusiastic, direct and generous, with a natural authority that draws people in. They struggle with routine and with admitting they need help.
Strengths
- Confident and visionary
- Energetic and driven
- Generous and warm-hearted
- Naturally lucky
Weaknesses
- Can be arrogant or demanding
- Impatient with slower people
- Perfectionist
- Hates losing
The five types of Dragon
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Dragon’s own fixed element is Earth, and each Dragon year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Dragon love and compatibility
Dragons are passionate and proud. They want an equal who admires them without flattering them and who is strong enough to disagree.
In Chinese astrology the Dragon gets on best with the Rat, Monkey and Rooster. The Dog is the Dragon’s opposite sign, and the Rabbit can also be a testing match.
Dragon career and wellbeing
Career and money
Dragons are suited to roles with scope and visibility. They are bold founders and inspiring leaders who do their best work on ambitious projects.
- Entrepreneurship
- Architecture and engineering
- Law and politics
- Media and entertainment
Health and wellbeing
Dragons push themselves hard. Watching stress levels and learning to delegate protects their considerable energy.
Lucky numbers: 1, 6, 7. Lucky colors: gold, silver, white. Lucky flowers: Bleeding heart, dragon flower.
The Dragon in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
A steady year for the Dragon. In 2026 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
A steady year for the Dragon. In 2027 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
The Dragon in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Dragon could have flown to victory but stopped to bring rain to a village and to blow the Rabbit’s log to shore, finishing fifth.
The Dragon is the 5th sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 辰 (chén), the hours 7am–9am and Yang energy.
Dragon questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Dragon?
Recent Years of the Dragon are 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Dragon’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Dragon are traditionally ambitious, charismatic and energetic. Dragons think big and expect a lot, of themselves first.
Who is the Dragon most compatible with?
The Dragon is most compatible with the Rat, Monkey and Rooster. The most challenging matches are the Dog and Rabbit.
What are the Dragon’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Dragon’s lucky numbers are 1, 6, 7 and its lucky colors are gold, silver, white. Numbers traditionally avoided are 3, 8, and colors to avoid are blue, green.
What element is the Dragon?
The Dragon’s fixed element is Earth. In addition, every Dragon year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Dragon, Fire Dragon, Earth Dragon, Metal Dragon and Water Dragon.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.