Dragon Descending to Earth: View the 2024 Symbol Photo Gallery

The Dragon, which takes center stage in 2024, is the only mythical creature of the Zodiac and it is considered one of the most energetic and powerful creatures.

Dragons serve as a collective term for various mythical creatures found in the myths and folklore of numerous cultures worldwide. The perceptions of dragons vary significantly from region to another. For example, European dragons were often portrayed as having a massive serpentine body, wings, horns, four legs, and the ability to breathe fire.

In Eastern cultures, like the Chinese, dragons are typically depicted as wingless, four-legged creatures with long, serpentine bodies. Folk tales describe them as possessing great intelligence and wisdom, often associated with water sources and rain.

Dragons also make appearances in the tales of African cultures, where these creatures are attributed magical powers and portrayed as spirits or giant snakes.

Explore Sputnik Africa's gallery showcasing photos of the symbol for the upcoming year!

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A fire breather blows flames as a troupe performs a traditional dragon dance during the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year in Yangon's Chinatown district on January 28, 2017. This Lunar New Year marks the start of the Year of the Rooster.

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Lea, 25, a human resources manager, poses to show her tattoo during a photo session on February 24, 2020, in Paris. The 10th edition of the "Mondial du Tatouage" tattoo convention is held from March 13 to 15, 2020, in Paris.

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A Chinese man cycles past a float, featuring a dragon head, that was used earlier in the week during performances to celebrate the Hong Kong handover, outside Beijing's Workers Stadium Friday July 4, 1997.

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The Far Eastern Federal University cheerleading team performs at the 85th anniversary of the Primorsky Krai on Vladivostok's central square. Celebrations are held in all districts of the region.

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Laci Endresz Jr., who performs as Mooky the Clown in The Blackpool Tower Circus, poses for a photograph as he constructs a dragon circus prop in his workshop in Blackpool, northern England on January 16, 2023. The dragon, one of three being created by Laci, will feature in The Blackpool Tower Circus' show finale - floating on water whilst being ridden by circus performers and breathing smoke from its nostrils.

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A woman rides a bicycle on Dragon Bridge in Danang on June 24, 2023.

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Canadian professional Origami artist Joseph Wu holds his favorite work of paper folding art dragon.

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A customer uses a mobile phone while sitting with a cartoon dragon dolls the restaurant uses as space keepers for social distancing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus at shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 18, 2020.

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A performer in a dragon costume takes part in the Cape Town Carnival parade held in the city of Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, March 12 2016.

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A German competitor, right, flies his 16 meter long (52 foot) dragon shaped kite as people watch during the International Kite Festival in Ahmadabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.

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Operators drive the dragon-horse called Long-Ma, created by Francois de la Roziere and his company "La Machine", in the streets of Toulouse, southern France, on April 16, 2022.

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Children dressed as a dragon performs during the parade to mark Chinese new year in Chinatown district in London, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018.

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A float of Uniao da Ilha samba school representing a dragon parades during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012.

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An aerial view taken on September 11, 2020 shows the Buddhist temple Wat Samphran (Dragon Temple) in Nakhon Pathom, some 40km west of Bangkok.

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A Bearded dragon reptile is dressed up as a duck for the traditional blessing of animals ceremony at Placita Olvera downtown in Los Angeles Saturday, April 16, 2022.