The Chinese Year of the Dragon
Tony Luck

If the dragon is your Chinese year sign or the chinese sign of your child, youll be glad to know that dragons are often good humoured and excellent company. They tend to see the larger picture and have a dislike of detail. Born leaders and original thinkers, Dragons can be very successful, although they have a tendency to plough on regardless and are reluctant to admit mistakes.

People born under the sign of the Dragon love action and excitement and find it difficult to relax. They will expend a lot of effort on a project if they think it worthwhile. Dragons love to be the centre of attraction and are susceptible to flattery. Beneath the confident exterior the Dragon is sentimental and trusting, and can become depressed when things go wrong.

People born under this sign are frank, quick thinking and adventurous, but are often misunderstood. They should guard against upsetting others with their directness. Dragons dont understand how to dress up their opinions and can upset others unintentionally. Tact is definitely not their strong point.

There are twelve Chinese year signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Legend has it that as Buddha was about to depart the earth he summoned all the animals to say goodbye. Only twelve turned up so, to show his appreciation of their loyalty, he vowed that from then on each year would bear the name of one of the animals.

Chinese astrology is based on the Lunar Calendar. This means the Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consult the charts to determine the correct sign.

Chinese Years:
February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006: Rooster
January 22, 2004 - February 8, 2005: Monkey
February 1, 2003 - January 21, 2004: Goat
February 12, 2002 - January 31, 2003: Horse
January 24, 2001 - February 11, 2002: Snake
February 5, 2000 - January 23, 2001: Dragon
February 6, 1999 - February 4, 2000: Rabbit
January 28, 1998 - February 5, 1999: Tiger
February 8, 1997 - January 27, 1998: Ox
February 19,1996 - February 7, 1997: Rat
January 31, 1995 - February 18, 1996: Pig
February 10, 1994 - January 30, 1995: Dog
January 23, 1993 - February 9, 1994: Rooster
February 4, 1992 - January 22, 1993: Monkey
February 15, 1991 - February 3,1992: Goat
January 27, 1990 - February 14, 1991: Horse
February 6, 1989 - January 26, 1990: Snake
February 17, 1988 - February 5, 1989: Dragon
January 29, 1987 - February 16, 1988: Rabbit
February 9, 1986 - January 28, 1987: Tiger
February 20, 1985 - February 8, 1986: Ox
February 2, 1984 - February 19, 1985: Rat
February 13, 1983 - February 1, 1984: Pig
February 25, 1982 - February 12, 1983: Dog
February 5, 1981 - January 24, 1982: Rooster
February 16, 1980 - February 4, 1981: Monkey
January 28, 1979 - February 15, 1980: Goat
February 7, 1978 - January 27, 1979: Horse
February 18, 1977 - February 6, 1978: Snake
January 31, 1976 - February 17, 1977: Dragon
February 11, 1975 - January 30, 1976: Rabbit
January 23, 1974 - February 10, 1975: Tiger
February 3, 1973 - January 22, 1974: Ox
February 15, 1972 - February 2, 1973: Rat
January 27, 1971 - February 14, 1972: Pig
February 6, 1970 - January 26, 1971: Dog
February 17, 1969 - February 5, 1970: Rooster
January 30, 1968 - February 16, 1969: Monkey
February 9, 1967 - January 29, 1968: Goat
January 21, 1966 - February 8, 1967: Horse
February 2, 1965 - January 20, 1966: Snake

Author: Tony Luck who runs a website with advice for moms-to-be and new moms. The site includes the interesting chinese pregnancy calendar which is supposed to tell you whether the baby you are expecting will be a boy or girl, and a conception chart which estimates when the baby will be born.