Dragon traits
People born in the Year of the Dragon are traditionally described as confident, ambitious and energetic. The year’s element – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water – is said to add its own flavour, so a Fire Dragon and a Water Dragon are not quite alike.
Compatibility
- Best matches: Rat and Monkey (the same group of four), and the Rooster (its “secret friend”).
- Least compatible: the Dog, six places away on the wheel.
Every Year of the Dragon, 1900–2099
| Year | Element | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | Earth (Yang) | Feb 2, 1908 | Jan 21, 1909 |
| 1920 | Metal (Yang) | Feb 20, 1920 | Feb 7, 1921 |
| 1932 | Water (Yang) | Feb 6, 1932 | Jan 25, 1933 |
| 1944 | Wood (Yang) | Jan 25, 1944 | Feb 12, 1945 |
| 1956 | Fire (Yang) | Feb 12, 1956 | Jan 30, 1957 |
| 1968 | Earth (Yang) | Jan 30, 1968 | Feb 16, 1969 |
| 1980 | Metal (Yang) | Feb 16, 1980 | Feb 4, 1981 |
| 1992 | Water (Yang) | Feb 4, 1992 | Jan 22, 1993 |
| 2004 | Wood (Yang) | Jan 22, 2004 | Feb 8, 2005 |
| 2016 | Fire (Yang) | Feb 8, 2016 | Jan 27, 2017 |
| 2028 | Earth (Yang) | Jan 26, 2028 | Feb 12, 2029 |
| 2040 | Metal (Yang) | Feb 12, 2040 | Jan 31, 2041 |
| 2052 | Water (Yang) | Feb 1, 2052 | Feb 18, 2053 |
| 2064 | Wood (Yang) | Feb 17, 2064 | Feb 4, 2065 |
| 2076 | Fire (Yang) | Feb 5, 2076 | Jan 23, 2077 |
| 2088 | Earth (Yang) | Jan 24, 2088 | Feb 9, 2089 |
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Dragon?
Recent Dragon years are 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028. Each starts at Chinese New Year, between January 21 and February 20.
When is the next Year of the Dragon?
From Wednesday, January 26, 2028 – the Earth Dragon year.
What is the Dragon compatible with?
Traditionally the Rat and Monkey, and its “secret friend” the Rooster. It is said to clash with the Dog.
I was born in January or February – am I a Dragon?
Only if your birthday is on or after Chinese New Year in your birth year. The table below gives the exact start date of every Dragon year.
Find your own animal and element from your date of birth with the Chinese Zodiac Calculator. The other animals: Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat and Pig.