Year of the Dragon
The Dragon is sign number 5 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Dragon year are traditionally described as ambitious, energetic, confident and charismatic — the most auspicious sign in Chinese culture. Its fixed element is Earth, and each Dragon year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Dragon
| Lucky numbers | 1, 6, 7 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | Gold, Silver, White |
| Lucky directions | East, North, South |
| Less favourable numbers | 3, 8 |
| Less favourable colors | Blue, Green |
| Less favourable directions | Northwest |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Rat, Monkey |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Rooster |
| Clash (六冲) | Dog |
| Harm (六害) | Rabbit |
| Punishment (刑) | Self-punishment (Dragon with Dragon) |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Dragon years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Fire Dragon | Feb 3, 1916 – Jan 22, 1917 |
| 1928 | Earth Dragon | Jan 23, 1928 – Feb 9, 1929 |
| 1940 | Metal Dragon | Feb 8, 1940 – Jan 26, 1941 |
| 1952 | Water Dragon | Jan 27, 1952 – Feb 13, 1953 |
| 1964 | Wood Dragon | Feb 13, 1964 – Feb 1, 1965 |
| 1976 | Fire Dragon | Jan 31, 1976 – Feb 17, 1977 |
| 1988 | Earth Dragon | Feb 17, 1988 – Feb 5, 1989 |
| 2000 | Metal Dragon | Feb 5, 2000 – Jan 23, 2001 |
| 2012 | Water Dragon | Jan 23, 2012 – Feb 9, 2013 |
| 2024 | Wood Dragon | Feb 10, 2024 – Jan 28, 2025 |
| 2036 | Fire Dragon | Jan 28, 2036 – Feb 14, 2037 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Dragon?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Dragon the lucky numbers 1, 6, 7 and the less favourable numbers 3, 8.
What colors are lucky for the Dragon?
Lucky colors for the Dragon are Gold, Silver, White; less favourable colors are Blue, Green.
Which signs are most compatible with the Dragon?
The Dragon forms a harmonious trine with the Rat, Monkey and a “secret friend” pair with the Rooster. Its classical clash is with the Dog.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.