Chinese New Year: 2024 is the Year of the Dragon

We are very close to Chinese New Year, and this year in particular we are getting ready for big celebrations: in fact, theYear of the Dragon will begin on February 10, 2024. According to Chinese astrology, each year has a different animal to represent it: let’s see in this short article what the Dragon means and what the predictions are for this new year!

Chinese zodiac

The signs of the Chinese zodiac, like those of the Western zodiac, are 12: however, compared to our zodiac, which sees for each year the succession of 12 different signs, the Chinese zodiac associates a single sign with the entire year. Each sign is represented by a different animal: to find out your own according to the year of your birth you can consult the table below.

Take care also to check what day New Year’s Eve fell on, since the Chinese calendar is lunisolar and thus has a shorter duration than the Gregorian calendar! For example, if you were born on January 23, 1988, you would not be a Dragon but a Rabbit (1987), since New Year’s Day that year fell on February 17.

Chinese horoscope signs according to year of birth:

• Mouse: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
• Ox: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
• Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
• Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
• Dragon: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
• Snake: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
• Horse: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
• Goat: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
• Monkey: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
• Rooster: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
• Dog: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
• Pig: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

The Dragon: symbology and characteristics of this sign

Undoubtedly the Dragon, the only mythological animal in the entire Chinese zodiac, is considered the most powerful and fortunate of the 12 signs: just think that in China many pregnancies are planned precisely so that children are born under this sign! So what characteristics does the Dragon have?

Chinese astrology recognizes in people born under the sign of the Dragon acharismatic and independent nature: these are ambitious people who direct their energies to the pursuit of a goal. The Dragon, associated with fiery masculine Yang energy, is also the sign of those who by nature are inclined to be leaders, those who with their enthusiasm and vitality know how to engage others and inflame spirits.

The Dragon is also an animal related to creativity and intelligence: those born under this sign will not struggle to find solutions quickly to even the most daunting problems, thinking outside the box.

2024: the Year of the Wood Dragon

You read that right, things get complicated: in fact, to get a complete astrological picture, it is not enough to specify which animal will guide the course of the new year, but it will also be necessary to determine which element will accompany it.

Reference is made here to the 5 elements that also belong to traditional Chinese medicine: water, fire, earth, metal and wood. Chinese astrology assigns a different element to 2-year periods-last year, for example we were still in the biennium of Water (2022-2023), while 2024 is the first of the two years under the element of wood.

Each element corresponds to distinctive traits and energies, which also regulate the relationships between the various zodiac signs and complete their profile. So how do the sign of the Dragon and the natural element of wood combine?

The wood element and its meaning associated with the Dragon

Wood is the element associated with growth, flexibility, creativity and kindness. These are all qualities that those born under the influence of this element possess: those born under this element are compassionate individuals who are inclined to care for others, just as trees and plants are a source of nourishment and an element of protection and shelter.

The characteristics of the wood element can in this case enhance some of the Dragon’s personality traits. Thus, 2024 will be a year of prosperity and success, growth and evolution: the Dragon’s power and good fortune will be supported by the wood element, which brings growth and nourishment.

A year of change, spurring us to dare and unleash all our vitality and creativity! Successes in the professional field and personal growth could be just a step away, all we need to do is believe in it and release the Dragon in us.

What teas do we celebrate the Year of the Dragon with?

We have chosen two auspicious Chinese teas related to this majestic legendary animal: besides being delicious, they might bring some extra good luck for the New Year!

From Hong Pao
A precious tea from Fujian, as well as one of the so-called yancha, “rock tea.” Sui Wuyi Mountains was in fact born this wonder: the Da Hong Pao is a high-oxidation oolong with intense roasted and cocoa notes, an enveloping body and the minerality typical of teas that grow on the rocky soil of those mountains.

What is your connection with the Dragon? In addition to the numerous legends that permeate the birth of this type of tea, we find an answer in the etymology of the word “oolong.” Transliterated more correctly as “Wu Long,” this term in fact means “Black Dragon“-if you look at it carefully, you will notice that the very shape of its leaves reminds us of the dark, sinuous coils of a black dragon.

Long Jing
The Long Jing originates in the village of the same name in Zhejiang, which translated from Chinese means “Dragon Well”-it is one of China’s most prized and famous green teas. Its leaves, characterized by their classic flattened shape and bright yellow-green color, have aromas of roasted nuts, while the liquor brings soft herbal notes and sweet hints of boiled chestnut to the palate.

Want to toast the Year of the Dragon with a tea worthy of the occasion? Take advantage of the promotion on Chinese teas and discover all our products by visiting our online store!