Year of the Dragon
Ambitious, energetic, charismatic. Years, personality, love, work and compatibility of the Dragon.
The Dragon is the fifth sign and the only mythical creature in the zodiac. In Chinese culture the dragon is a symbol of power, luck and success, and Dragon years are traditionally popular for weddings and births.
Quick answer. You are a Dragon if you were born in 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036 or any other year in the cycle (every 12 years), from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next one. The latest Dragon year began on 10 February 2024 and ended on 28 January 2025.
| Order in the zodiac | 5 of 12 |
| Earthly branch | Chen |
| Own element and polarity | Earth, yang |
| Recent years | 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036 |
| Harmonious with | Rat, Monkey, Rooster |
| Challenging with | Dog, Rabbit |
| Lucky numbers (traditional) | 1, 6, 7 |
| Lucky colours (traditional) | gold, silver, gray |
Find your Chinese zodiac sign
Dragon years: are you a Dragon?
You are a Dragon if you were born in a Dragon year, from its Chinese New Year to the day before the next. Recent Dragon years are 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036. The table lists every Dragon year from 1900 to 2100 with its exact dates. A January or early February birthday often belongs to the previous animal: Chinese New Year in 2024 was on 10 February 2024, for instance, so anyone born earlier that January was a Rabbit.
| Year | Sign | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | Wood Dragon | 16 February 1904 | 3 February 1905 |
| 1916 | Fire Dragon | 3 February 1916 | 22 January 1917 |
| 1928 | Earth Dragon | 23 January 1928 | 9 February 1929 |
| 1940 | Metal Dragon | 8 February 1940 | 26 January 1941 |
| 1952 | Water Dragon | 27 January 1952 | 13 February 1953 |
| 1964 | Wood Dragon | 13 February 1964 | 1 February 1965 |
| 1976 | Fire Dragon | 31 January 1976 | 17 February 1977 |
| 1988 | Earth Dragon | 17 February 1988 | 5 February 1989 |
| 2000 | Metal Dragon | 5 February 2000 | 23 January 2001 |
| 2012 | Water Dragon | 23 January 2012 | 9 February 2013 |
| 2024 | Wood Dragon | 10 February 2024 | 28 January 2025 |
| 2036 | Fire Dragon | 28 January 2036 | 14 February 2037 |
| 2048 | Earth Dragon | 14 February 2048 | 1 February 2049 |
| 2060 | Metal Dragon | 2 February 2060 | 20 January 2061 |
| 2072 | Water Dragon | 19 February 2072 | 6 February 2073 |
| 2084 | Wood Dragon | 6 February 2084 | 25 January 2085 |
| 2096 | Fire Dragon | 25 January 2096 | 11 February 2097 |
Check a birth year
Dragon age chart for 2027
How old are people born in Dragon years in 2027? The age depends on the birthday, so each row gives two ages: the lower one if the birthday in 2027 has not yet come, and the higher one after it.
| Year | Sign | Chinese year | Age in 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Metal Dragon | 8 February 1940 – 26 January 1941 | 86 or 87 |
| 1952 | Water Dragon | 27 January 1952 – 13 February 1953 | 74 or 75 |
| 1964 | Wood Dragon | 13 February 1964 – 1 February 1965 | 62 or 63 |
| 1976 | Fire Dragon | 31 January 1976 – 17 February 1977 | 50 or 51 |
| 1988 | Earth Dragon | 17 February 1988 – 5 February 1989 | 38 or 39 |
| 2000 | Metal Dragon | 5 February 2000 – 23 January 2001 | 26 or 27 |
| 2012 | Water Dragon | 23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013 | 14 or 15 |
| 2024 | Wood Dragon | 10 February 2024 – 28 January 2025 | 2 or 3 |
The legend of the Dragon
In the Great Race, the Dragon could fly and should have finished first, but stopped to help villagers with rain and to rescue a rabbit on a log. It is said to have come fifth because of its generous detours.
Dragon personality
Dragons are traditionally described as confident, energetic and charismatic. They set high goals, attract attention and often take the lead. They are also described as perfectionist and demanding, with a temper when plans are blocked.
Strengths
- Confidence and presence
- Ambition and drive
- Generosity and enthusiasm
- Courage to take on big goals
- Natural charisma
Weaknesses
- Arrogance
- Impatience with slower people
- A fiery temper
- High expectations of others
Dragon at home and in the family
At home the Dragon is described as a generous and larger-than-life presence, protective and proud of its family. Dragon parents are thought to be encouraging and demanding, expecting a lot of themselves and their children.
Dragon as a friend
As a friend the Dragon is enthusiastic, loyal and a natural centre of attention. Tradition says Dragons inspire others and attract admirers, and that they can overshadow quieter friends without meaning to.
Dragon in love and relationships
In love, the Dragon is described as passionate and protective, and it wants a partner who is its equal. It admires strength and intelligence. The usual friction is pride, because a Dragon may find it hard to apologise. Tradition suggests partners who are confident and who can speak plainly.
Dragon career and work style
Traditional descriptions place the Dragon in prominent roles: leadership, entrepreneurship, politics, the arts, finance and any field where vision matters. Dragons are said to be lucky with money but to spend freely.
In a team the Dragon is described as the visionary who sets the pace and rallies others. It works best when it leads and can be impatient with details and with people who hesitate.
Dragon and money
Dragons are traditionally seen as lucky with money and generous with it, with a flair for big ideas and a habit of spending freely. Tradition suggests pairing vision with a budget.
Dragon under stress
Under stress a Dragon is said to become domineering, quick-tempered or proud, and to refuse help. Honest feedback from someone it respects is traditionally the cure.
Advice for the Dragon
The traditional advice for a Dragon is to listen, to be patient with others and to let someone else take the lead sometimes.
Dragon compatibility
In the traditional system the Dragon is harmonious with Rat, Monkey (its trine) and with Rooster, its secret friend. Its opposite sign, which tradition calls a clash, is the Dog, and the Rabbit forms a harm pair with it. Every other pairing has no special relationship. These are conversation starters and not predictions.
| Sign | With the Dragon | What tradition says |
|---|---|---|
| 🐀 Rat | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Dragon’s ambitious goes well with the Rat’s quick-witted, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
| 🐂 Ox | No special relationship | No classical link. The Dragon’s ambitious and the Ox’s diligent meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐅 Tiger | No special relationship | No classical link. The Dragon’s ambitious and the Tiger’s brave meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐇 Rabbit | Harm pair | A harm pair. The Dragon’s ambitious and the Rabbit’s gentle can misread each other, so honesty and patience matter. |
| 🐉 Dragon | Same sign | Two Dragons share the same strengths and the same blind spots, so they understand each other quickly and can also repeat each other’s habits. |
| 🐍 Snake | No special relationship | No classical link. The Dragon’s ambitious and the Snake’s wise meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐎 Horse | No special relationship | No classical link. The Dragon’s ambitious and the Horse’s energetic meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐐 Goat | No special relationship | No classical link. The Dragon’s ambitious and the Goat’s gentle meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
| 🐒 Monkey | Trine: the same group of three | Natural allies in the same trine. The Dragon’s ambitious goes well with the Monkey’s clever, and the two tend to share an outlook. |
| 🐓 Rooster | Secret friend | Secret friends. The Dragon’s ambitious is balanced by the Rooster’s observant, a bond described as close and complementary. |
| 🐕 Dog | Clash: opposite sign | Opposite signs. The Dragon’s ambitious meets the Dog’s loyal, which attracts and irritates in equal measure. |
| 🐖 Pig | No special relationship | No classical link. The Dragon’s ambitious and the Pig’s generous meet without a built-in match or clash, so character counts for more. |
Compare two Chinese zodiac signs
The five kinds of Dragon
The element of the year adds a second layer to the animal. Wood is described as growth and creativity, Fire as passion and leadership, Earth as stability, Metal as discipline and Water as adaptability. Here are the Dragon years of each element, with how tradition describes each kind. Read more in our guide to the Chinese zodiac elements.
| Sign | Years (1900–2100) | Described as |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Dragon | 1904, 1964, 2024, 2084 | The Wood Dragon is described as the most creative and cooperative Dragon, with big ideas, warmth and a talent for bringing people together. |
| Fire Dragon | 1916, 1976, 2036, 2096 | The Fire Dragon is described as the most intense Dragon, charismatic, fearless and quick to flare up, with great ambition. |
| Earth Dragon | 1928, 1988, 2048 | The Earth Dragon is described as steadier and more practical, a patient planner with a grounded sense of leadership. |
| Metal Dragon | 1940, 2000, 2060 | The Metal Dragon is described as determined and uncompromising, a strong, independent leader who can be rigid. |
| Water Dragon | 1952, 2012, 2072 | The Water Dragon is described as more diplomatic and flexible, a thoughtful leader who listens before it commands. |
Famous people born in Dragon years
Based on publicly reported dates of birth, and using the exact Chinese New Year of each birth year, these well-known people belong to the Dragon: Martin Luther King Jr. (15 January 1929); Rihanna (20 February 1988); Adele (5 May 1988); Keanu Reeves (2 September 1964); Sandra Bullock (26 July 1964); John Lennon (9 October 1940); Al Pacino (25 April 1940); Bruce Lee (27 November 1940). Whether the sign says anything about them is a matter of interpretation.
The Dragon in 2027, the Year of the Fire Goat
The Dragon has no special classical relationship with the Goat. Tradition describes a neutral year for the Dragon, one that depends more on your own choices than on the pairing of the signs. This is folklore, not a forecast. See the Chinese New Year 2027 page for every sign.
Lucky numbers and colours
One commonly quoted list gives the lucky numbers 1, 6, 7 and the lucky colours gold, silver, gray for the Dragon. Such lists differ between sources and belong to popular folklore, not to any fixed rule.
The neighbouring signs
The Rabbit comes before the Dragon and the Snake comes after it. See all twelve in our guide to the Chinese zodiac.
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Dragon years?
Recent Dragon years are 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036. Each one runs from that year’s Chinese New Year to the day before the next. For example, the 2024 Dragon year runs from 10 February 2024 to 28 January 2025. See the years chart for every date.
Am I a Dragon if I was born in January or February?
Only if your birthday is on or after that year’s Chinese New Year. For example, Chinese New Year in 2024 was on 10 February 2024, so a person born on 10 January 2024 belongs to the previous animal, the Rabbit, and not to the Dragon.
What is the personality of the Dragon?
Ambitious, energetic, charismatic. Dragons are traditionally described as confident, energetic and charismatic. They set high goals, attract attention and often take the lead. They are also described as perfectionist and demanding, with a temper when plans are blocked.
What are the Dragon’s strengths?
Confidence and presence; Ambition and drive; Generosity and enthusiasm; Courage to take on big goals; Natural charisma.
What are the Dragon’s weaknesses?
Arrogance; Impatience with slower people; A fiery temper; High expectations of others. Every sign has both strengths and weaknesses in this tradition.
What are the best careers for the Dragon?
Traditional descriptions place the Dragon in prominent roles: leadership, entrepreneurship, politics, the arts, finance and any field where vision matters. Dragons are said to be lucky with money but to spend freely.
How does the Dragon behave in love?
In love, the Dragon is described as passionate and protective, and it wants a partner who is its equal. It admires strength and intelligence. The usual friction is pride, because a Dragon may find it hard to apologise. Tradition suggests partners who are confident and who can speak plainly.
Which signs are compatible with the Dragon?
Traditionally the Dragon is harmonious with Rat, Monkey and Rooster, and challenging with Dog and Rabbit. See the full compatibility chart.
What is the Dragon’s element?
The Dragon is a Earth animal and a yang sign. Each year also has its own element, so Dragon years can be Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. The table on this page lists them all.
How old is a Dragon in 2027?
People born in 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988 turn 3, 15, 27, 39 in 2027, and are one year younger until their birthday. The table on this page gives the ages for every Dragon year since 1940.
Which animal comes before and after the Dragon?
The Rabbit comes before the Dragon and the Snake comes after it.
What are the Dragon’s lucky numbers and colours?
One commonly quoted list gives the numbers 1, 6, 7 and the colours gold, silver, gray. Such lists differ between sources and belong to folklore.
Other signs
For culture and entertainment. The Chinese zodiac is a traditional system of folklore and symbolism. It cannot predict events, and it is not medical, financial, legal or relationship advice. See the full disclaimer.