Just One Dragon

The 2012 Year of the Dragon coins (see photo), produced by Australia’s Perth Mint, are gorgeous. Available in both gold and silver and in several denominations, they are part of the Australian Lunar Series, which issues a coin each year for one of the 12 animal symbols in the Chinese astrology chart.

Earlier this year I bought some gold bullion coins. When I received my order, it included a bonus—a ½-ounce silver Dragon (an Australian 50-cent piece). I was thinking that if there is a good match, it might make an interesting Christmas present for someone in my family who was born in the Year of the Dragon.

It’s always fun to compare your year-of-birth animal with those of family and friends when you are in a Chinese restaurant that has an astrology chart on its place mats. I think it’s useful to be familiar with what Chinese astrologists say about your symbol even if you have trouble with the idea that an animal can serve as a kind of shorthand for the nature of everyone born in the same year. Like any one-size-fits-all approach, there are going to be some mismatches. Actually, as I learned on the Holy Mountain Trading Company web site, a complete astrological analysis is more complicated and also takes into account the year’s element, the yin/yang polarity, and the individual’s month and hour of birth.

According to the description on the Holy Mountain web site, Dragons have an exotic air, exude sexuality, are shrewd, healthy and full of vitality, and possess a mystical side. To the Chinese, Dragons are born in the most desirable year even if they are impetuous, have big mouths, and often cause social blunders. There’s a lot more in the Dragon description, but perhaps the biggest allure is their magical powers that make them capable of soaring to the highest heavenly heights or diving to the depths of the sea. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, their life experiences are very intense.

To see if there is a Dragon in my family by birth year, I consulted the genealogical work my Texas brother did a couple of years ago. (I couldn’t think of a Dragon by nature.) Starting with my father’s mother, he listed the names and birthdays of her descendants plus people they married. There are 48 names, some deceased, on the list he compiled. While it only covers one side of the family, it’s the only list I have.

You might think there would be several Dragons in a group of 48 people. The birth years aren’t completely random due to generations, but by the time you consider children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and spouses, they almost seem that way. But Dragons are scarce. There’s only one by birth year—the husband of the daughter of one of my cousins.

Unless he has a secret side, by personality he’s no more a Dragon than I am (I’m an Ox). The Year of the Dragon coin wouldn’t fit his nature. Considering that I only see him every couple of years and we don’t normally exchange Christmas gifts, I think I will keep it until I find the right Dragon.

Dragon Years Since 1940

Unlike the Western calendar, which is based on the sun, the Chinese calculate the beginning of their year according to the second New Moon following the Winter Solstice and thus the first day isn’t fixed.

• 1940    8 February 1940 – 26 January 1941
• 1952    27 January 1952 – 13 February 1953
• 1964    13 February 1964 – 1 February 1965
• 1976    31 January 1976 – 17 February 1977
• 1988    17 February 1988 – 5 February 1989
• 2000    5 February 2000 – 23 January 2001
• 2012    23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013