The year of the Wood Dragon

A rare combination of the power of the dragon and the creativity of wood.

Many names are given to this ancient Eastern festival/celebration. It is known as Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. The Lunar New Year always falls on the New Moon, usually between the period of late January to mid-February, but mostly commonly at the beginning of February.

An Agricultural calendar

The celebration began several thousand years ago. China was an agricultural country. Farming relied on the phases of the moon and therefore the traditional calendar is based on the moon. The first day of the New Year is considered as the first day of Spring.

This ancient calendar is rich in wisdom for anything agricultural, capturing the knowledge of timing:  what to plant, when to sow and harvest, seasonal changes (twenty-four in total) and astrology. It is much more than just a calendar being more like an encyclopaedia… you can consult it for information about the twelve zodiac signs, relationships, the harmony or the disharmony. Chinese astrology includes good dates for long distance travelling, marriage, funerals and celebrations.

The calendar, similar to the New Year, has many names. One name, The Old Calendar, is not commonly in use nowadays. The Agriculture Calendar, as its name suggested, reflected its use for agricultural purposes. The Yellow Calendar became formally known as the Empirical Calendar after the end of the last Dynasty, Ching. The pronunciation of the word Yellow sounds similar to Emperor.

The year of Wood Dragon

This Lunar New Year is dragon, the fifth of the Chinese Zodiac, and wood, the first of the Five Elements. The Chinese Animal Zodiac is a twelve-year cycle and the Five Elements, a five-year cycle. Traditionally, the dragon is a sacred animal.  It is the most well-known animal from the Chinese mythology.

The dragons in the Far East are different from the West. They were given celestial duties and work for the Divine. One of the well-known Chinese myths tells of the King of the Sea Dragon whose home was the lost city in the deep sea.   Whether there is any connection to the Lost City of Atlantis, I do not know.

Dragon represented the Emperor. The people of China (including all the people from other countries that are now politically sensitive) have been known as the Descendants of the Dragon. Only the Emperors had the right to wear particular shades of yellow and purple. Other Noble families were allowed to wear yellow and purple but of different shades. The Emperors’ robes were embroidered with dragons with five claws. Creatures with four claws are not dragons but pythons. Dukes, Earl and Marquesses and the Noble family were allowed to wear them.

Dragons have supernatural powers. They can fly without wings, they call upon rain and can change the weather like Thor, the Nordic god of thunder. Dragons also have the ability to harness sea water and waves like the Greek god Poseidon.

The fifth of the zodiac

Long ago, in China, the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of measuring time. On his birthday he told the animals that there was to be a swimming race. The first twelve animals across the fast flowing river would be the winners and they would each have a year of the zodiac named after them. Everyone expected that the dragon would come in first because it could fly. It told the Jade Emperor that it had to stop a couple of times to help some villagers. And on its way to the finish line, it saw a little rabbit on a log and decided to give a puff of air to help it get to shore. As a result, the dragon came in fifth and was given that year of the zodiac. The little rabbit came in fourth!

The Wood Element in the Chinese Five Elements represents the season Spring; the beginning, hope, growth and expansion. A rapid and fast moving energy and aspiration. The colour associated with Wood Element is green.

Liver and Gallbladder meridian

In Chinese medicine, liver and gallbladder meridians are classified under the Wood Element, which governs the emotions of anger/rage and faith. When the liver is balanced the flow and our adaptabilities to change are enhanced, while when the gallbladder is balanced decision-making is improved.

Led by dragon, the most prestigious and sacred animal in the Far East, we move into a new beginning, with rapid flowing energy, hope, growth, expansion and aspiration and the ability to make decisions.

I wish everyone a year of growth, expansion, blessings and good health.

~ Leigh-Lin Shao