According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, beginning on February 10 (Chinese New Year) and concluding on January 28, 2025.
The Dragon is one of 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac and marks the only symbol in this line-up which is a mythical creature rather than a real species.
This mythical creature embodies strength and good fortune while representing health and power, making 2024 a notably lucky time for those born in the years 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024.
However, according to Tsao-Lin Moy, a Chinese medicine practitioner, herbalist, acupuncturist, feng shui expert and fertility specialist, its impact is felt by more than just people born in the nine years listed above.
Speaking to the New York Post, she said: “For over 3,000 years, the Chinese Zodiac calendar has been used to predict the future of health and prosperity.
“Understanding the nature of these forces will help us navigate a prosperous New Year.”
It’s more than just the symbolism of the dragon itself to focus on this year, as there is one other added element that should be considered.
Tsao-Lin Moy continued: “The Wood element will have a powerful influence on all zodiac signs. Wood is the element of Yang. It is the energy of spring, of reaching toward the light while deepening roots into the soil.”
As a sign of vibrance, the wood element is responsible for the “circulating life force” of blood within the body, which in turn encourages calmness, peace and rational decision-making, as put by the Chinese medicine practitioner.
While the Year of the Dragon will affect each of the 12 Zodiac animals differently, one thing recommended to all is to focus on their career and personal lives.
According to Tsao-Lin, this is centred around the “Yang energy” of the dragon with the “Yin energy of the earth”, which encourages growth and expansion in such areas of life.
In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of five elements – gold (metal), wood, water, fire, or earth.
This means there are five types of Dragons, each with different characteristics. A person’s characteristics are decided by their birth year’s zodiac animal sign and element.
Some things all Dragon-year folks have in common are lucky signs and symbols, according to China Highlights.
Lucky signs for Dragons
- Lucky numbers: one, six and seven
- Lucky days: the first and sixteenth of any Chinese lunar calendar month
- Lucky colours: gold, silver, greyish white
- Lucky flowers: bleeding-heart glory bower, dragon flowers
- Lucky direction: East, North, South
- Lucky months: the third, fourth, and seventh Chinese lunar months.
