A Japenese Dragon. Image via Wikipedia
The year of the Dragon begins on January 23, 2012. The fifth, and most powerful, sign of the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon traditionally represented the Chinese emperor. Today it represents success and happiness; wisdom and strength.
The character traits of those born in the Year of the Dragon are domination and ambition: they prefer to live by their own set of rules and, if left alone, can be successful. Dragon-born people are driven, able to rise to challenges, and are willing to take risks.
Celebrations of the Chinese New Year lead to feasts. Children are given red envelopes containing money at the family gatherings. The red envelopes symbolise good luck; and are meant to ward off evil spirits. In addition, fireworks are set off to drive away bad luck.
Will you be celebrating the Lunar New Year? If so, I wish you a successful Year of the Dragon.
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2012
Did not even know it was Chinese New Year! We haven’t had the year of the dragon before?..
Yes, every 12 years the Year of the Dragon is celebrated. This year it is the celebration of the Water Dragon which happens once every 60 years.
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Hello
I nominated you for the Liebster blog award ! Please check the rules on http://ranaarmoush.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/the-liebster-blog-award/ Enjoy 
Thank you so much for the nomination. Look out for my acceptance blog post
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I wish I’d seen this before I went to Caribou today and guessed the wrong animal on the trivia question!
Living in a multi-cultural region, one one my boys friends is Chinese, a few co-workers are Chinese and a small portion of my boys heritage is Chinese but, through the years that cultural knowledge has been lost. My husband and his father know very little of a part of their heritage. I look forward to the Chinese people we know, and others, sharing their culture with the rest of us. It makes me feel as though we all are different but belong together in the community- like family! One of my sons was born in the last year of the dragon – 2000. He will be turning 12 this year. I have noticed that he has similar qualities to other ‘dragons’ especially with his fierce sense of independence and his driven personality! Thanks for sharing, Colline! I didn’t know that it was the year of the ‘water’ dragon.
Those born 12 years ago in 2000 are part of the Golden Dragons
I was born in the Year of the Dragon!
You are sure to have a good year