Chinese zodiac · sign 5 of 12
Dragon
The Dragon represents strength, power and good fortune. It's the only mythological animal in the Chinese zodiac.
- On the wheel of the twelve animals, in black: Dragon.
- The red triangle links it with its two friends (三合): Rat and Monkey.
- The dotted line crosses to its opposite (六冲): Dog.
History and symbolism
The Dragon in the Chinese tradition
The Dragon is the only mythological animal in the Chinese zodiac. In Chinese culture it's a symbol of imperial power and good fortune, unlike the Western tradition, where it's associated with danger.
Traits
How it shows up
Characteristics
- Ambitious
- Charismatic
- Energetic
- Confident
- Leader
Strengths
- Extraordinary charisma
- Ambition
- Boundless energy
- Trust
- Visionary leadership
Challenges
- Intolerance
- Demandingness
- Impatience
- Arrogance
- Difficulty listening
Dragon years
Were you born in a Dragon year?
The Chinese year starts with the Lunar New Year, between January 21 and February 21. If you were born in those weeks, check the exact day: your sign may be the previous one.
| Year | From | To | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | Jan 23, 1928 | Feb 9, 1929 | Earth |
| 1940 | Feb 8, 1940 | Jan 26, 1941 | Metal |
| 1952 | Jan 27, 1952 | Feb 13, 1953 | Water |
| 1964 | Feb 13, 1964 | Feb 1, 1965 | Wood |
| 1976 | Jan 31, 1976 | Feb 17, 1977 | Fire |
| 1988 | Feb 17, 1988 | Feb 5, 1989 | Earth |
| 2000 | Feb 5, 2000 | Jan 23, 2001 | Metal |
| 2012 | Jan 23, 2012 | Feb 9, 2013 | Water |
| 2024 | Feb 10, 2024 | Jan 28, 2025 | Wood |
The five elements
Five versions of the same sign
Every Dragon is also born with one of five elements, which changes every two years. The table above shows which one belongs to each year.
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
What's your animal?
Calculate it from your date of birth, with the exact Chinese New Year cutoff, and see which countries, brands and people share your sign.
Keep in mind
The Dragon is a mythological animal. The associations are purely cultural and symbolic.
The Chinese zodiac is an age-old belief system rooted in Chinese culture. Molino uses it as a tool for reflection and self-knowledge. The interpretations don't constitute scientific evidence, predictions or diagnoses. The calculations are deterministic and reproducible from the year of birth.