The Dragon in Saju

The dragon is the only imaginary animal in the twelve. In Korean lore it lives in water and brings rain, and an imugi, a great serpent, must wait a thousand years in the water before it can rise as a dragon. That idea of long patience before transformation runs through the Dragon's reputation.

In Saju the Dragon is the branch 辰 Jin. It is earth, the last month of spring, and the hours from 07:00 to 09:00. Inside it are hidden stems of wood, water and earth, so it is read as a damp, fertile storehouse, a water tank of the zodiac.

Your animal is your year branch and one of eight characters. The Dragon also appears as a month branch (early April to early May) and in day and hour pillars. The Dragon year begins at Ipchun, around 4 February.

• Ambitious
• Charismatic
• Imaginative
• Proud

Harmonies

The Dragon's six harmony partner is the Rooster 酉, read as turning toward metal. Its three harmony partners are the Monkey 申 and the Rat 子, the water trine.

Clash and wonjin

The Dragon clashes with the Dog 戌, two earth storehouses from opposite seasons. It is one of the self punishment branches, read as a tendency to be hard on itself. Its wonjin is the Pig 亥. All of these are read as friction to understand.

Dragon years and when they start

Each Dragon year begins at Ipchun, shown here in Korea Standard Time. If you were born before the start time, your year pillar belongs to the previous animal.

See all eight of your characters