Black water dragon 2012
It’s been 12 years since a dragon last appeared and exactly 60 since the Water Dragon manifested. In Chinese Astrology the zodiac animals each possess one of five elemental characteristics with corresponding colour. Water is matched to black and 2012 brings us back to Black Dragon, Water Dragon or Black Water Dragon year. 1
Birth Signs are believed to bestow the particular characters and qualities of the animal and since dragons are supposedly lucky enough to combine all 5 blessings of harmony, riches, virtue, fulfillment and longevity, it bodes well for any born in a dragon year. Bountiful blessings are bestowed in abundance however for those us celebrating our dragon birth sign cycle and little wonder that longevity is valued in China since we all have to live to 120 to see another cycle repeated.
They say that dragon people are free-spirited creatures who believe that rules and regulations are for others:
“I was born to catch dragons in their dens and pick flowers
To tell tales and laugh away the morning
To drift and dream like a lazy stream
And walk barefoot across sunshine days” 2
water nourishes the wood dragon for 2024
Along the waterways, the black dragon draws heavenly powers to earth in blue reflections:-
~~0~~
~~0~~
~~0~~
~~0~~
Water dragons are considered the most emotional, cognitive and gently persuasive of all dragons, wearing down anyone with charm and diplomacy. Adding in birth date, place and time to build the four pillars of fate, it turns out that I am…
A white sheep born in the year of Black Dragon!
(better perhaps than vice versa)
Baa...Humbug!
My Tai Chi students say it’s lucky that they have a dragon for a teacher but really I’m blessed with benevolent beginners. Best wishes to everyone for the New Year…
With the Water element dominating there’s even more reason to join Watery Wednesday
whilst a 10th round has already begun to bubble up with B’s at ABC Wednesday
Grateful Thanks: My computer so often slows to a halt that it’s been trying my patience just to post whilst blog visits often abort with a locked screen. At times Blotanical (the site where gardeners bloom, which is itself rolling out a new version 
) has been impossible to connect to. Things should resolve in this New Year once my son upgrades this computer to his whilst he moves upward to hit the silicon highways at dragon-speed. Meanwhile I have been heartened by the flow of visits and comments despite my lagging behind. Thank you!
Hi Laura,
I do so love mystical magical posts. Water dragon conjour up all sorts of things in my mind.
As I was reading I wondered if you might just be a water dragon………how exciting, I wish I was
I am a metal rabbit would you beleive. With all the rabbits in the garden causing destruction you would think I would have some sort of empathy with them (well, maybe I have actually
Love the images Laura.
I understand the frustration with your computer, I have the same issues and it nearly drives me insane…..
ah Cheryl, you have a heart of gold (that must be the metal rabbit). Whatever our birth animal signs, we are both mystical & magical
Beautiful photographs of the watery world of dragons and fascinating insights into Chinese astrology. I find I am a wood horse. Very exciting, she said, tossing her mane and cantering off to do more reading.
Judith read my post..conservation piece
I once studied all the signs (on a chopstick wrapper in a Chinese restaurant) and concluded that if I could choose one , it would be the dragon.
b-a-g read my post..Grass (17 JAN 2012)
I just listened to a show on our national public radio about the fact that so many Chinese couples want to give birth to a dragon baby this year that it is putting a huge strain on medical services.
Carolyn @ Carolyns Shade Gardens read my post..New Snowdrops for 2012
Our Tai Chi class are celebrating the Year of the Dragon with a meal and a new t-shirt. It will have a dragon on it(of course). Best wishes to you too, Laura.
Janet at Planticru Notes read my post..Lichen on Macro Monday
- great imagery Judith and at least you’re not a trojan horse
- not telling what you are then b-a-g? dragons can be beastly though!
- heard that too Carolyn & C-sections being postponed until the New Year is in
- will look out for dragon Ts Janet. Enjoy the meal
I really like your water images…and the sheep too. The one was giving you a smile.
Donna read my post..Stark Raving Mad Bees and Nature’s Own Horror Movie
Very interesting information. I knew about the Chinese year signs, but didn’t know the four pillars.
HolleyGarden read my post..Hot Pink
Laura I am so glad you furthered my knowledge of the Water Dragon. I did not have the room in my post to go into detail and I had not found this wonderful info. I am a Rooster. I wish you a wonderful New Year!!
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..Fiery Red Natives
- thank you Donna as one photoshopper to another
- horoscopes are as dense as tree branches Holley
- A little red rooster then Donna/GEV
The glitches even out, sometimes it’s the computer, I’m am catching up on a few missed days in my reader. Something new to think about and explore – Chinese horoscopes, and such spellbinding photos!
Elephant’s Eye read my post..My new signature plant
tx Diana – washed away the guilt trip now!
wonderful pics!
Tina´s PicStory read my post..black berries
the BLACK dragon stuff is esp fascinating.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Roger Green read my post..B is for Baghdad
Thanks for the wonderful explanations about the dragon. I wish you long life to 120 to see this come around again.
photowannabe read my post..ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " B "
Dragon delights and very clean reflections – happy new year of dragon to a patiopatch lovely dragon!
catharinehoward read my post..If you go into the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise
ahh thank you Catharine – must check on your surprise
My husband and I are both Water Dragons!
I have a book that calls 1952 the year of the Rain Dragon.
Another book told me 7am-9am are Dragon hours.
I love the Chinese Dragons.
Cheryl told me about your post. I am so happy to meet you….
Namaste`
Sherry, who talks with Dragons
hello Sherry -Its pouring today and my (fire dragon) daughter says its because the water dragon has begun to reign so the book seems accurate! Nice to ‘meet’ another water dragon (greetings to Cheryl too)
Fascinating post! Love your photos,
Leslie
abcw team
I was born in the year of the Ox (water ox) and I was warned to take good care of my health on the year of the dragon.
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Rose read my post..Curiosity
Happy Chinese New Year! I don’t know any dragons, but you have given us a very descriptive idea of who they are. The photos are lovely!
The Sage Butterfly read my post..W4W – Reflection in a Crystal Palace
Hi Laura,
A really interesting post. I love the watery photos. I used to do some T’ai Chi but when we moved I couldn’t find any classes. I did enjoy it, it was very calming and my tutor looked so healthy. She was in her 60s but looked at least 15 years younger.
Happy New Year.
wellywoman read my post..A Gardener’s Life For Me?
shame about the classes wellywoman. I think I look at least 15 years older or maybe my students look young
- don’t normally assoiate black with water or neutral Roger
- another 60 yrs phtowannabee?! thanks for the wishes
- Ox and dragon not a good combo Rose – opposites
- thanks SB, inspired by Bali Hi, where the sky meets the sea
Very interesting post ! I am a goat !
Gattina
ABC Team
Gattina read my post..ABC WEDNESDAY – B
Great post and stunning images I particularly like the dragon log, and your students are right, they are lucky.
According to your link I am a Black Rabbit, born in the year of Green Tiger which makes me equivalent to water; that might explain my swimming and new year dips and why I’m sharing a garden with wild rabbits, thankfully not wild tigers!
catherine read my post..Sugar and spice and why are all nice things addictive?
Hi Laura, as ever I have been bewitched by your writing and have learned new things, not least that you teach Tai Chi!
Janet/Plantaliscious read my post..Emerging
I seem to be a white horse although I am not sure I have done it right. Since I have just chosen a horse chestnut as my tree, this amuses me.
welshhillsagain read my post..Thinking about the garden
- sounds a good match gattina?
- such a realistic wood dragon too. And now solved the black rabbit/watership down link Catherine!!
- full of surprises me Janet
- look forward to your chestnut horse post then Elizabeth!
Hi Laura, I decided to nominate you, congratulations!
http://graphicality-uk.blogspot.com/2012/01/versatile-blogger-award.html
Take care
Helene read my post..The Versatile Blogger Award!
It’s rather a wonderful idea – being a cross between a dragon and a sheep.
You asked if I will continue with the sycamore or choose a new tree. I won’t abandon the sycamore but I’ll be focusing more on an elder – as explained in the latest post for Loose and Leafy
Lucy Corrander read my post..THE NEW TREE – SAMBUCUS NIGRA
look forward to blogging alongside your Elder, Lucy
Laura hope all is well…I wanted you to know that I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Your blog and friendship mean a lot to me and I wanted to let you know this…you are not obligated to do anything and can find the info about the award at the link below…
http://gardenseyeview.com/2012/01/30/true-blue-loyal-blooms/
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..True Blue Loyal Blooms