Year of the Dragon龙年 lóng nián · the fifth animal of the Chinese zodiac
Quick facts
- Position
- 5 of 12
- Zodiac name
- 龙 lóng - Dragon
- “Year of the Dragon”
- 龙年 lóng nián
- Earthly Branch
- 辰 chén
- Hours of the day
- 7 am – 9 am
- Yin or yang
- Yang
- Next Dragon year
- 2036 (28 January 2036 - 14 February 2037)
Year of the Dragon years and dates
Each zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year and ends the day before the next one. If you were born in January or February, check the dates below or use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | 16 Feb 1904 | 3 Feb 1905 | Wood |
| 1916 | 3 Feb 1916 | 22 Jan 1917 | Fire |
| 1928 | 23 Jan 1928 | 9 Feb 1929 | Earth |
| 1940 | 8 Feb 1940 | 26 Jan 1941 | Metal |
| 1952 | 27 Jan 1952 | 13 Feb 1953 | Water |
| 1964 | 13 Feb 1964 | 1 Feb 1965 | Wood |
| 1976 | 31 Jan 1976 | 17 Feb 1977 | Fire |
| 1988 | 17 Feb 1988 | 5 Feb 1989 | Earth |
| 2000 | 5 Feb 2000 | 23 Jan 2001 | Metal |
| 2012 | 23 Jan 2012 | 9 Feb 2013 | Water |
| 2024 | 10 Feb 2024 | 28 Jan 2025 | Wood |
| 2036 | 28 Jan 2036 | 14 Feb 2037 | Fire |
| 2048 | 14 Feb 2048 | 1 Feb 2049 | Earth |
How to say Year of the Dragon in Chinese
To give your own sign, say 我属 (wǒ shǔ, “I belong to”) plus the animal. To ask someone else, say 你属什么？ (nǐ shǔ shénme?).
Dragon personality: what the sign stands for
People born in a Year of the Dragon are traditionally described as energetic, ambitious and lucky, with a strong presence.
Said to be
- energetic
- ambitious
- confident
- charismatic
Said to watch out for
- proud
- impatient
These are traditional beliefs, shared for fun and for cultural background. They are not predictions.
The Dragon in the Great Race
Everyone expected the Dragon to win the Great Race because it could fly. It arrived fifth because it stopped on the way to bring rain to a dry village, and then blew the Rabbit's log to the shore.
The Dragon in Chinese culture
The Chinese dragon is not the fire-breathing monster of Western stories. It brings rain, power and good luck, and for centuries it was the symbol of the emperor. Chinese people sometimes call themselves 龙的传人 (lóng de chuánrén), “descendants of the dragon.”
Dragon years are the most popular years to have a baby, and birth numbers often rise in places such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Chinese idioms with 龙
望子成龙
wàng zǐ chéng lóng
"hoping one's son becomes a dragon"
Parents' hope that their child will be a great success.
画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
"painting the dragon and dotting its eyes"
Adding the finishing touch that brings a work to life.
Dragon compatibility in tradition
Traditional matchmaking groups the twelve animals by their Earthly Branches. These pairings are folk tradition, not science. To check any two signs, use the Chinese Zodiac Compatibility chart.
Your own zodiac year is called 本命年 (běnmìngnián). Tradition says it can bring bad luck, so people wear something red for protection.
The other zodiac animals
Find your animal with the Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Dragon?
Recent and coming Years of the Dragon are 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036, 2048. Each one starts at Chinese New Year, so January and early February birthdays usually belong to the year before.
When is the next Year of the Dragon?
The next Year of the Dragon runs from 28 January 2036 to 14 February 2037.
How do you say Year of the Dragon in Chinese?
It is 龙年 (lóng nián). To say you were born in that year, say 我属龙 (wǒ shǔ lóng).