Fire up for the year of the dragon

Monday marks the beginning of the Chinese new year. Margaret Neylon looks at what it may have in store for your starsign

THE Chinese New Year begins at the new moon when the sun is in Aquarius. Therefore, it can begin as early as January 19 to as late as February 18. The Chinese zodiac runs throughout a 12-year period, so you are a Dragon if you are aged 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 or 84 between January 23, 2012 and January 11, 2013.

Unlike perceptions in the west which hold dragons to be vicious, greedy and fearsome creatures, chasing virtuous maidens to imprison in their lair, the eastern view is that these beings are vibrant, dynamic, scrupulous and fortunate. They are seen as being generous and wise, ambitious, determined and, of all the other 11 signs, they are the luckiest. To prove the point, Vladimir Putin, Pelé, Placido Domingo, Cliff Richard, Al Pacino and Teri Hatcher are just a few of the dragons who’ve reached celebrity status.