Of all the 12 Asian zodiac animals, the dragon is the mythical one, and thereby the most powerful & mysterious. Here’s the order of the animals as they finished the race ordered by the Emperor of China: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig/boar.

According to wikipedia, the characteristics of those born in the Dragon years (1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012): “magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal,wise, humble, imperious, foresighted, demanding, intolerant, peaceful, impetuous, understanding, and blunt.”

Both of these Lunar New Year events sound like a lot of fun. For more info: www.tucsonchinese.org, 520-292-6900.

Also on Saturday January 28 at Himmel Branch library, from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. — a Chinese New Year Celebration. The library is at 1035 N. Treat Ave. (SW corner of E. 1st Street, south of Speedway) in Himmel Park. More family fun in celebrating the Year of the Dragon:

Join us for light refreshments and fun-filled activities such as Chinese Calligraphy, face painting, and crafts. Music will be provided by the University of Arizona’s Purple Bamboo Ensemble. If the weather is good, the Purple Bamboo Ensemble will perform outside on the lawn in front of the library rather than inside the library.

Happy Year of the Dragon starting today!