Year of the Dragon

The Lunar New Year begins on 10th of February, ushering in the Year of the Dragon. The dragon is the fifth animal sign in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac. The Chinese dragon is a mythical creature that can be misunderstood in Western culture. The positive and benevolent nature of the dragon can be a helpful and lucky figure in your life.

Bringing Chinese dragon symbolism into your home or office will enhance the positive energy of sheng chi and provide you with the protection and power of the dragon.

If you ignore the dragon, it will eat you. If you try to confront the dragon, it will overpower you. If you ride the dragon, you will take advantage of its might and power.

As Chinese legends say, a carp once saw a mountain and wanted to visit it. The determined fish swam upstream, over waterfalls and through rapids to reach the mountain. The carp came upon a mythical Dragon Gate, successfully leaped over it and became a dragon. It's believed that the dragon's scales originated with the carp's shiny scales. Chinese dragons are strongly associated with moving water, such as rivers, oceans and waterfalls.

Unlike the fearsome creatures of Western literature, Chinese dragons are endearing and good-natured rather than ferocious or threatening. They are also a symbol of great power and were often used to symbolically represent the emperors. With the dragon sitting at the southeast in the zodiac wheel, it's associated with sunrise, the period between Spring and Summer when rains are most abundant and are associated with growth and fertility.

Now is the time for a new start, clear out all the cobwebs and crusts from last year so they can't hold you back this new year! Honouring and remembering ancestors who've passed away is an important part of celebrating this new year so they will always be with you in spirit for the next year. Add a fountain or water feature to your garden or place a beautiful plant in the corner of your home to symbolise dragon strength.

Crystals for the Year of the Dragon are amethyst, citrine and moonstone.