The Chinese Year of the Dragon

The Chinese Year Of The Dragon.. If the dragon is your Chinese year sign or the Chinese sign of your child, you'll 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 don't 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