In 1988, I discovered I would have a younger brother—born in the Year of the Dragon. However, I wasn’t alone; friends shared my experience, with parents thrilled to have a dragon baby.

Another revelation came when my brother started school. His batch had more students compared to other grade levels, resulting in more sections. The schools had to accommodate them due to this dragon baby boom. 

What is it about people born under this Chinese zodiac sign that makes them considered the most fortunate? Patrick Fernandez of Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony explains.

Emperor vibes

“Dragons are associated with the emperor who is believed to be the physical manifestation of the dragon and dragon energy here on Earth,” says Patrick. “Therefore, it’s associated with regality, majesty, power, and so on.” Emperors possess qualities like wisdom, courage, and compassion.

Power to unite

Dragons incorporate elements from the 11 other Chinese zodiac signs, symbolizing unity. “For example, the claws of a dog, the eyes of a rabbit, and many more,” he says. “We believe that this is actually like a totem or a collection of all these different smaller tribes within China, so it’s a symbol of unity.”

Strong and talented

As the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, dragons are talented and strong. “Dragons are also very benevolent, so they tend to be generous with their time. They're also very energetic, for the most part, so you can rely on them. They’re also fearless, so they're bold and push the envelope,” describes Patrick. “And, lastly, they’re very charismatic. They also get along with all sorts of people.”

Raising draongs

So how can parents raise dragon babies to reach their full potential? Patrick recommends, “Let them explore and choose what they like doing and what they’re good at. This will help them find their purpose.” He notes that parents should also expose them to different activities, but do not use force. 

As mentioned earlier, dragons are generous. “Teach them to share their time and strength with others, so they learn from an early age that it’s good to be able to help,” says Patrick. 

He also advised parents to expose them to different types of people. “Traditionally, the dragon is tied to the Emperor energy and the Emperor has a rule over the entire kingdom. There are all sorts of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, so if they can be exposed at an early age to this diversity, this will help them open their eyes and become more accepting and aware of the differences that exist in our world,” ends Patrick,

If you're considering having a baby dragon this year, there's still time. The year of the dragon ends on Jan. 28, 2025, allowing conception until around April 2024. Good luck!