Year of the Dragon 2012, Page 7

The Chinese Year of the Dragon begins January 23, 2012. Astrology is part of Chinese life and the Year of the Dragon is particularily an important year. Many people are looking forward to the Chinese zodiac year of 2012. In Chinese astrology the dragon is the only animal of the Chinese zodiac year that is not real - it is quite special and very much revered. More than 4,000 years ago, there were two large tribes and many smaller tribes in China. The tribes had animals as emblems. The two large tribes unified and chose the dragon as their symbol. In fact, the Han Chinese still call themselves the descendants of the Dragon. In Chinese astrology the dragon was seen as a powerful almighty king because it was made up of different parts of animals such as a tiger, fish, snake and an eagle. The Chinese dragon was not seen as a threatening evil being as we do in the west - rather a symbol of power, superiority and rule.