Rihanna, Bruce Lee, Martin Luther King Jnr – are babies born in the Year of the Dragon luckier than others? Why Chinese parents want ‘dragon children’

Martial arts actor Bruce Lee, activist Martin Luther King Jnr and singer Rihanna have one thing in common: they were all born in the Year of the Dragon

More births are recorded in Chinese communities in the Year of the Dragon than any other year – parents believe it is the most auspicious sign to be born under

Reading Time:2 minutes

Expectant mothers, likely to be parents to babies born in the Year of the Dragon, attend a breastfeeding class in Zaozhuang, Shandong province, China, in August 2023. Chinese parents believe “dragon babies” are luckier and higher achieving than children born under other zodiac signs. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 4:15pm, 31 Dec 2023Updated: 10:13am, 8 Feb 2024

The Year of the Dragon – the next one begins on February 10, 2024 – is thought to be a very favourable year in which to have children. The dragon is the only mythical beast in the Chinese zodiac and is a symbol of power and greatness.

There are more births recorded in Hong Kong and China in the Year of the Dragon than in any other year in the 12-year Chinese calendrical cycle.

In 2000, a dragon year, the birth rate in Hong Kong increased by over five per cent. Mainland China saw a rise in births in 2012, a jump of nearly 950,000 when compared to the previous year.

Anecdotally, it is hard for dragon children in Hong Kong to get into their school of choice because the competition is so much higher with that many more children.

Workers install a dragon-shaped lantern to welcome the Lunar New Year in Huaian, Jiangsu province, China. Photo: Getty Images

As 2024 approaches, terms like “dragon babies” or “dragon bb” are among the most searched and trending online in China.

SCMP Series

Year of the Dragon 2024: zodiac sign predictions, traditions and a guide to greetings

[ 6 of 6 ]