2024 Year of the Dragon... What Will It Bring?!

Chinese symbol for Dragon

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, the Year of the Wood Dragon to be more precise. So what does it mean? Each of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac has unique characteristics and each year corresponds to one animal. 2024 corresponds to the Dragon.

In addition to the twelve year cycle corresponding to each of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac, there are Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) which are associated with their own "life force" or "chi".

This energy blends with the corresponding animal to determine that year's fortune.

In 2024, the corresponding element is Wood. Wood by its very nature, is the element associated with all living things, the "spring" or life renewal process. Wood relates to trees which relate to the color green. The Year of the Wood Dragon is therefore also known as the Year of the Green Dragon.

The Chinese Dragon has been a symbol of strength and power, wealth and wisdom and considered one of the luckiest animals in the Chinese Zodiac. The Dragon was also the symbol of the emperor in Ancient China.

The Dragon is the fifth animal in the Chinese Calendar 12-year cycle and the only mythological animal in the Chinese Zodiac. Do you know how the animals got their order in the Chinese Zodiac? Legend has it that in order to determine their position, a race was held. The Dragon came in fifth when everybody thought the mighty dragon would have been the one to win the race. This was because of the dragon's kindness and foresight. As he was underway he saw a village that was on fire as there had been a severe drought. The dragon stopped to make rain and put away the worst of the flames therefore saving the village even though that cost him the race. In Chinese culture, dragons are a symbol of wisdom, power and nobility, unlike the stereotypical powerful dragon in western circles, Chinese dragons are anything but evil. Here you can learn more about Chinese Dragons.

So what happens when you mix the Dragon with the Wood Element?

The Dragon heralds a year of good fortune, wealth, and prosperity. The Wood element is associated with renewal and awakening, just like the spring heralds the arrival of the growing season.

A WOOD DRAGON YEAR combines a strong, wise and powerful dragon with the promise of new beginnings. This is a great year for positive changes, the time for rebirth, joy and love. We will have the wind on our backs to bring us closer to our personal goals, to put all new plans and ideas into action, to renew and strengthen relationships! The power and wisdom of the dragon will push us towards health, wealth and happiness.

What to watch out for? Dragon forces are powerful, so keeping boldness and impulsiveness in check will be in order. Be mindful of others, that is the way of the dragon.

Babies born in the Year of the Dragon

In the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon is the only mythical creature, all other 11 signs are animals of nature and that is why the dragon is considered a very special and lucky sign. In fact, China and countries with a strong Chinese diaspora around the world experience a mini baby boom every time the Year of the Dragon comes around. It is extremely auspicious to have a baby born in the Year of the Dragon.

If you are born in the Year of the Dragon, you will assume the characteristics of the Dragon and it is considered a great honor by Chinese to be born in this year. Dragons are intelligent, strong and brave. You will have a bundle of energy on your hands. Wood Dragon babies have an added boost of creativity and will enjoy trying new things. There will never be a dull moment around your dragon baby.

To be born in the Year of the Dragon, babies will have to be born from February 10, 2024 to January 28, 2025, the last day of the Dragon lunar year. If the baby is born on or before February 9, 2024, he or she will be a Rabbit Baby, if born on or after January 29, 2025, the baby will be a Snake Baby.

The next Year of the Wood Dragon will be in another 60 years.

Get ready for a cheerful and exciting new year and...

Writing the Chinese Character for Dragon

The DRAGON Chinese character is simple although it has many strokes, more than double than last year's RABBIT Symbol with only 8 strokes. But just follow the order and direction, there are 17 simple strokes for the Chinese Character for DRAGON: