Chinese zodiac · 5 of 12
辰 The Dragon
The Dragon is the only mythical creature in the zodiac and one of its most admired signs. Its branch 辰 (Chén) is an Earth branch that holds the stored Water of spring rains, which is why dragons are linked with rain, harvest and good fortune across Chinese culture.
- Branch
- 辰 Chén
- Fixed element
- Earth
- Polarity
- Yang
- Direction
- East-southeast (ESE)
- Hours
- 7 – 9 am
- Solar month starts
- about 5 Apr (Clear and Bright)
Dragon years and their elements
Each Dragon year also carries one of the five elements, so a Dragon born in 1984 (Wood) differs from one born in 1996 (Fire). The year changes at Li Chun, the Start of Spring, not on Chinese New Year. If you were born in January or early February, check the start date below.
| Year | Pillar | Starts (Li Chun) | Ends before |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | 戊辰 Yang Earth Dragon | 5 Feb 1928 | 4 Feb 1929 |
| 1940 | 庚辰 Yang Metal Dragon | 5 Feb 1940 | 4 Feb 1941 |
| 1952 | 壬辰 Yang Water Dragon | 5 Feb 1952 | 4 Feb 1953 |
| 1964 | 甲辰 Yang Wood Dragon | 5 Feb 1964 | 4 Feb 1965 |
| 1976 | 丙辰 Yang Fire Dragon | 5 Feb 1976 | 4 Feb 1977 |
| 1988 | 戊辰 Yang Earth Dragon | 4 Feb 1988 | 4 Feb 1989 |
| 2000 | 庚辰 Yang Metal Dragon | 4 Feb 2000 | 4 Feb 2001 |
| 2012 | 壬辰 Yang Water Dragon | 4 Feb 2012 | 4 Feb 2013 |
| 2024 | 甲辰 Yang Wood Dragon | 4 Feb 2024 | 3 Feb 2025 |
Dragon personality
These are the traits tradition associates with the Dragon. Your full BaZi chart, especially your Day Master, shapes you more than your year animal alone.
- Confident, ambitious and charismatic
- Generous with ideas and energy
- Visionary and willing to lead
- Lucky in timing, according to tradition
Watch out for: Dragons can be proud and impatient with slower people. They may take on too much and struggle to ask for help.
Dragon at work
Dragons are suited to visible, ambitious roles: management, law, media, politics and building a business of their own. These are traditional associations; your Day Master and the rest of your chart matter more.
Dragon compatibility
The Rooster is the Dragon's six-harmony partner, while the Rat and Monkey complete its three-harmony group. The Dog is its opposite, so Dragon–Dog pairings need shared goals and plenty of honesty.
| Relationship | Sign | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Six harmony (六合) | Rooster | The closest natural match; easy teamwork. |
| Three harmony (三合) | Rat and Monkey | Allies who share goals and energy. |
| Clash (六冲) | Dog | Opposite sign; needs patience and clear talk. |
| Harm (六害) | Rabbit | Prone to small misunderstandings. |
Feng shui tips for the Dragon
The Dragon's branch is Earth with hidden Water and Wood. Yellow, gold and stone suit it, and Fire tones warm it. Its direction is East-southeast. A Dragon's home benefits from a strong, well-lit entrance and a commanding desk position facing the door.
Your year animal gives general guidance. For directions that fit you personally, find your Kua Number; it is based on your birth year and gender and gives four favourable and four unfavourable directions.
The Dragon in 2026 and 2027
The Fire Horse year is broadly neutral for the Dragon: Fire feeds the Dragon's Earth. Use the year to build steadily rather than chase quick wins.
2027 (Fire Goat) is broadly neutral for your sign.
Clash, harm and harmony pairings follow fixed traditional rules. They describe tendencies to be aware of, not fixed outcomes.