2012 Is the Year of the Dragon

January 24, 2012

January 23rd marked the first day of the Chinese New Year, a 15-day celebration of hope, renewal, and good fortune. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the year of the Dragon, the 5th of 12 symbolic animal signs. If you were born in 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, or 2000, your sign is the mighty dragon.

Additionally, your specific birth year determines what element you are most aligned with. Not all dragons will share the same element. The combination of sign and element makes a statement about an individual’s personality and compatibility with other signs.

Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water can interact with one another in different ways: strengthening one another, building upon one another, or breaking one another down.

As a sign, the dragon does not easily conform to societal standards. It is a representation of power, authority, pride, energy, and generosity. While these characteristics can be human attributes, perhaps they also say something about Asia’s expectation for its own well-being in 2012. Those celebrating the Chinese New Year view the Dragon as one of the most auspicious signs, and the festivities in the Asian world support the notion that expectations for the new year are high. Houses are traditionally swept clean to "make room for incoming luck." Many also choose to discard some possessions acquired in the previous year. Good fortune is also said to come to those who pay their debts. Nightly feasts are held. Fireworks are set off. Parades wind through the streets of many neighborhoods throughout the world. The Chinese New Year exemplifies the old adage, "Out with the old, in with the new."

Interested in learning more about the Chinese New Year? Want to learn more about Chinese New Year traditions or engage in a bit of Chinese crafting? Check out one of these great books on the subject!

Paper Crafts for Chinese New Year by Randel McGee

Chinese New Year by Alice K. Flanagan

The Chinese Astrology Bible: the Definitive Guide to Using the Chinese Zodiac by Derek Walters

Amanda W.
North Independence Branch