Welcome to the Year of the Dragon!
This article presents an enchanting journey through the Chinese zodiac signs.
And before you ask, you're probably a "Dragon" if you were born in 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952 or 1940.
But, back on track, there's so much more to this. Let's dive into the rich symbolism and cultural significance of these signs, and also explore some common phrases used to celebrate and wish each other well during this festive season.
In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of twelve animals. The order of the zodiac animals is based on an ancient folk story known as 'The Great Race'.
In the past, the Chinese zodiac was non-existent. To establish it, the Jade Emperor resolved to select 12 animals as guardians. He proclaimed that their rank would be assigned based on their arrival sequence at the Heavenly Gate.
They arrived at the Palace in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, each moved faster or slower in line with their own unique characteristics and traits. These same identifiers are believed to influence the personality and destiny of people born in their respective years.
What do you think? Do you agree that one's traits align with the symbol and year of their birth?
Here's a brief overview of the things one says and hears in this Year of the Dragon. If you don't know your zodiac year, skip to the bottom and we'll set you straight.
Year of the Dragon: 龍飛鳳舞
The Year of the Dragon, specifically, is considered to be particularly auspicious. The phrase 龍飛鳳舞, roughly translating to "the dragon flies and the phoenix dances", is often used to wish prosperity and success, especially during the Dragon year.
Common New Year Phrases
During the Chinese New Year, it's customary to exchange greetings and well-wishes. Let's look at some common phrases and their meanings.
Happy New Year: 新年快樂 (xīn nián kuài lè)
The most common greeting during the Chinese New Year is 新年快樂. This phrase simply means "Happy New Year" and is used to wish people joy and happiness in the year to come.
May All Your Wishes Be Fulfilled: 萬事如意 (wàn shì rú yì)
Another popular phrase is 萬事如意, which translates to "May all your wishes be fulfilled". This phrase is often used to express the hope that all your plans and dreams will come true in the new year.
Wish You Good Health: 身體健康 (shēn tǐ jiàn kāng)
Health is considered to be the greatest wealth. So, the phrase 身體健康, meaning "Wish you good health", is a common new year greeting, expressing the hope that the recipient will enjoy good health in the coming year.
Great Luck and Great Profit: 大吉大利 (dà jí dà lì)
The phrase 大吉大利, translating to "Great luck and great profit", is often used to wish someone a prosperous new year filled with good fortune and success.
Congratulations & Be Prosperous: 恭喜發財 (gōngxǐ fācái)
Another popular greeting is 恭喜發財, which means "Congratulations and be prosperous". This phrase is often used during the Chinese New Year to wish someone wealth and prosperity.
To learn more about the Chinese zodiac signs and their meanings, visit
Find out your Zodiac Sign
| ZODIAC SIGN | CHINESE NAME | ZODIAC YEARS |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | 鼠 (shǔ) | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| Ox | 牛 (niú) | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| Tiger | 虎 (hǔ) | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 |
| Rabbit | 兔 (tù) | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 |
| Dragon | 龙 (lóng) | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 |
| Snake | 蛇 (shé) | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 |
| Horse | 马 (mǎ) | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 |
| Goat | 羊 (yang) | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 |
| Monkey | 猴 (hóu) | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 |
| Rooster | 鸡 (jī) | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 |
| Dog | 狗 (gǒu) | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 |
| Pig | 猪 (zhū) | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 |
To learn more about the Chinese zodiac signs and their meanings, visit
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