Every year we carry products commemorating the current Chinese zodiac. Popping up left and right this year already, and even at the tail end of 2023, has been Year of the Dragon products. From certified items to raw coins from all over the world, the celebration will continue throughout the year.
With all that focus on this year’s zodiac, we thought it would be appropriate to learn a little more about the significance of not only the Dragon, but the Chinese calendar and all 12 animals.
The Chinese Zodiac
One of the biggest and most important aspects of Chinese culture is the Chinese zodiac which is a 12-year cycle occurring with the passing of each Chinese New Year. There is an animal attached to each year, repeating after each 12-year rotation. Those animals are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (also referred to as Ram or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
While Western astrology focuses on the day and month an individual was born, the Chinese structure focuses on the year. According to that important factor, one’s fate and one’s personality is believed to be influenced by the traits of the animal they are associated with when it comes to their zodiac. In addition, the year is also sometimes accompanied by the importance of the five elements, including wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
Year of the Dragon – 2024
Dragons hold quite the position in Chinese culture and traditional folklore. They are mythical creatures; however, they are looked upon as regal and those born under the umbrella of the dragon sign are said to be leaders with dominant personalities. They love a challenge and are blessed with tenacity and intelligence. On the other hand, they are known to have short tempers and do not take criticism very well. It appears that their strengths also lie in their weaknesses.
Lucky numbers are also associated with the lunar years. For the dragon, the numbers to watch are 1,6, and 7. These numbers are to be maximized within a person’s life who happens to be a dragon. On the other end of that, 3 and 8 are the numbers to watch out for as they are said to be used very little.
Even more to deep dive into, gold, white, and gray are their lucky colors while they should avoid dressing or decorating in blue and green. All directions seem to be in their favor, but they are said to avoid northwest like the plague. In relationships, Year of the Dragon people are naturally attracted to people born under the Tiger, Snake, and Rat signs. On the flip side, fraternizing with those under the Year of the Ox, Goat, or Dog could be difficult.
Some of the most famous individuals born under the Year of the Dragon include John Lennon, Bruce Lee, Rihanna, Vladimir Putin, Barry Bonds, John Gotti, Pele, Shirley Temple, Dr. Seuss, Chuck Norris, and Maya Angelou.
Source: https://studycli.org/chinese-zodiac/; https://www.onthisday.com/people/chinese-zodiac/dragon