All you need to know about dragons
In Chinese culture, the dragon has significant symbolism and is revered. It represents positive qualities such as power, strength, good luck, and wisdom. The Chinese dragon is considered a celestial and divine creature, with the ability to control natural elements such as wind and water.
The Year of the Dragon is anticipated to bring auspicious opportunities and exciting advancements for all. Those born under the dragon sign are reputed for their innovative thinking and inquisitive nature, and often flourish in their professional pursuits.
Are you a dragon?
Click on your birth date for your Chinese zodiac animal
What kind of Dragon are you?
Chinese element theory assigns one of five elements – Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth – to each sign of the zodiac. This means that, for example, a Wood Dragon appears once every 60 years.
Significant events in the Years of the Dragon
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Lunar New Year calendar 2024
Lunar New Year celebrations traditionally last for 16 days, from Lunar New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. In mainland China, the first eight days - from February 10 to 17 in 2024 – are public holidays.
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Dragon children
The dragon is considered the most auspicious zodiac sign by many Chinese people. According to popular belief, babies born in dragon years possess remarkable qualities throughout their lives, including cleverness, charm, eloquence, and even wealth.
The Year of the Dragon consistently sees the highest number of births in the 12-year Chinese calendrical cycle. In 2000 and 2012, birth rates in Hong Kong and mainland China both saw significant increases.
Many famous people from various fields were born in dragon years, further enhancing the belief in its auspicious nature.
Celebrities born in the Year of the Dragon
Best wishes for Dragon Year
Chinese New Year traditions
Wear red, not white
White symbolises death in Asian culture, so avoid giving white
flowers; try to wear a new outfit on Chinese New Year’s Day.
Red envelopes
Older people offer single children and young people red envelopes
known as hong bao (in Cantonese, lai see) on Chinese New
Year's Day. It is usual not to give quantities that end in four
because the Chinese word for "four" sounds a lot like the term for
"death”.
Avoid cutting or washing hair
Cut and wash your hair in the week or so before Chinese New Year's
Day, but avoid doing so on the actual day to avoid ruining or
sabotaging your luck. The same applies to scissors and knives;
never use them.
Avoid using a broom
In order to avoid sweeping out any good luck, you should clean
your house in advance rather than on Chinese New Year’s Day.
Open windows
In the days preceding Chinese New Year's Day, let the bad luck out
and the good luck in.
Eat traditional food
During Chinese New Year, auspicious foods are consumed, including
dumplings (symbolising wealth), noodles (symbolising longevity),
fish (symbolising abundance), and fruit like oranges, tangelos,
and pomelos.
Associate Creative Director Marcelo Duhalde
Edited by Kevin Kwong
Additional web development by
Dennis Wong
Illustrations by Victor Sanjinez and
Brian Wang
Sources: SCMP, On this day, Data.gov.hk
