How to conceive a Dragon baby

Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012
YourHealth, AsiaOne

"Luckier", more "gung-ho" and "more likely to succeed in life".

This are some of the characteristics many Chinese believe babies born in the Dragon year embody.

According to commonly held Chinese beliefs, people take after the animals of the Chinese zodiac sign they are born under. The Dragon, as the most revered of Chinese mythological creatures, symbolises intelligence, success, courage, determination and power.

While many mistakenly believe that babies born on and after the Chinese lunar new year are Dragon babies, Chinese astrology experts say this is not so.

Experts say that a baby's horoscope is actually defined by the day of the Spring Festival, which is determined by the Wan Nian Li, or Ten Thousand Years Calendar. This year, the start of spring fell on February 4.

Hence, babies born before February 4 are still 'Rabbits', and those born after February 4 are 'Dragons'.

For couples who wish to capitalise on the luck associated with the year of the Dragon, it's not too late, doctors YourHealth interviewed said.

Dr Chee Jing Jye, Medical Director of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre, told YourHealth that babies conceived by May this year still have a chance of being delivered before Feb 9, 2013, which is when the Dragon year ends.