It’s officially the Year of the Dragon. With a name like Dragon Alliance, we’d be remiss not to pay homage to this year and the imperial creature that it celebrates. For the Year of the Dragon, we want to spotlight the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year while celebrating the ancient spirit of adventure with our favorite Dragon Alliance styles. So what is the Year of the Dragon, and how do you celebrate it? Here’s everything that you need to know.
What is the Year of the Dragon
What Does Lunar New year Celebrate
Before diving into the Year of the Dragon, let’s go over the history of the Lunar New Year holiday. It’s a bit murky as to when people first started celebrating Lunar New Year, but some historians estimate that the first celebrations occurred between 1600 and 1050 B.C. Observed in many parts of Asia (plus Asian communities around the world), Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, commemorates the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
What to Know About the Lunar Calendar Cycle
Lunar New Year falls on the first new moon of the lunar calendar, which, as you may have already guessed, follows the phases of the moon. Instead of falling on January 1st, it occurs between late January and mid-February, typically right between the winter solstice and spring equinox. This year, the Year of the Dragon officially kicked off on February 10th.
Lunar New Year tradition assigns each year to one of 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. When it comes to the mythology of it all, the animal of the year that you’re born in is said to play a part in your personality and luck. Many stories account for the origin of the Chinese Zodiac, but the most common story follows an animal race that was set to measure time. The sequence of the animals in the Zodiac cycle essentially follows the final race position of the animals that participated in the race.
What Does the Year of the Dragon Represent?
So, let’s get to the dragon part. 2024 falls under the Year of the Dragon, which is the 5th year of the 12-year Chinese Zodiac cycle. Past dragon years include 2012, 2000, and 1988 — basically, you just need to keep going back every 12 years to figure out which years were dragon years.
It’s considered incredibly auspicious to be born under the Year of the Dragon, as the dragon is a majestic creature that represents power, intelligence, and authority. If you were born in the Year of the Dragon, we’re a little jealous of you — legend has it that dragon babies are naturally confident, determined, and charismatic.
Lunar New Year Traditions
Lunar New Year is an exuberant holiday. It’s especially a joyous occasion for children, who receive lucky, cash-filled red envelopes from their elders. When it comes to community celebrations, you’ll come across vibrant street parades marked by firecrackers and lion dances. Many people also pay respects to their ancestors by visiting temples and setting out food for the spirits of late loved ones. And speaking of food, you’ll find people enjoying delicacies such as dumplings, roasted chicken, and candied fruits.
On the style front, Lunar New Year is a notoriously sumptuous holiday. In fact, people often don red and gold outfits to attract good fortune. To celebrate the animal of the year, they also hang up animal-themed decor for extra luck. For the Year of the Dragon, you would naturally want to display dragon decorations.
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How to Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with Dragon Alliance
The powerful dragon embodies Dragon Alliance’s ethos, particularly our passion for adventure, desire to conquer challenges, and ambition to defy the elements with our designs. Dragon Alliance is humbled to have a special connection with this Lunar New Year’s stately creature. The dragon is strong, determined, and ambitious — in other words, traits that describe our adventure-loving community.
In honor of this year’s noble zodiac animal, we’ve curated a Year of the Dragon collection with red, orange, and gold Dragon Alliance glasses and goggles. All these pieces, of course, feature our signature Dragon logo to bring in that extra bit of prosperity this year. Whether you sport a red Lumalens goggle or a gold beanie, there’s a good luck charm for you in the mix somewhere.
Choosing the right sports eyewear can be a daunting undertaking. To help you awaken the ancient spirit of adventure, we’ve compiled our go-to ski goggles, sunglasses, and accessories for celebrating the Year of the Dragon. Wherever your next journey takes you, navigate the terrains with gear that optimizes comfort, style, and luck.
Running: Summon the Dragon’s Stamina With Sturdy Sunglasses
With the stamina that it involves, running very much channels the dragon’s disciplined spirit. Whether you’re hitting the pavement or exploring winding trails, you need comfortable and durable sunglasses for your next run.
- Ezra: Like the dragon, Ezra embodies strength. No matter where your running excursion takes you, its premium acetate body will withstand the elements. It’s also an effortlessly sleek pick, featuring a rectangular frame with timeless appeal. To keep your look golden for the Year of the Dragon, be sure to pick up the orange colorway for a singular and statement-making look.
- Remix: Remix is a durable shield that makes for a reliable running companion. A true dragon is perceptive—the Lumalens here will offer precise depth perception and improved clarity. The wraparound style also protects against stray light and debris when you hit the ground running. On top of it all, the red Ion lens is perfect for the Year of the Dragon.
Snowboarding and Skiing: Channel the Dragon in the Heart of the Mountains
In the heart of the mountains, clouds whisper old tales of the dragon’s power. When you’re exploring the snow-capped mountains, there’s a piece of equipment that you’ll always want to have on hand: your trusty snow goggles. Protective eyewear is a must on the slopes, and what better way to channel the dragon’s resilience than with Dragon snow goggles? Along with snow and ski goggles, make sure to check out replacement lenses, too.
- DX3 OTG: Ideal for those bluebird days in the snow, our DX3 OTG in red is eyewear craftsmanship at its finest. Along with the color-enhancing properties of our Lumalens technology, it features a super anti-fog coating for crystal-clear vision on the slopes. For an extra secure and slip-free fit, it has a silicone strap backing. It also offers over-the-glass compatibility, so you’ll feel comfortable even with eyeglasses underneath it. (Plus, of course, the red color is good luck!)
- PXV2: Also available with a Red Ion Lumalens, PXV2 is innovative, comfortable, and stylish. For an unobstructed view, it features a patented frameless design — the dragon, after all, is astute in the wild and can see all. Along with this special design, the super anti-fog coating and armored venting also enable you to enjoy superior clarity in the snow. Plus, it uses a Swiftlock Lens Changing System, which allows you to instantaneously switch out your lens to the just-right style for the light condition. Bonus: If you pick up the Lumalens in Red Ion, you also get a bonus lens in Light Rose.
Hiking: Navigate the Great Outdoors With Reliable Sunglasses
Even a mighty dragon can face challenges on rugged — some may even say draconic — terrains. Along with water, food, and the right pair of shoes, you want reliable shades when you hike. When exploring the great outdoors, pick up sunglasses that will offer sun protection and hold up against the elements. Along with 100% UV protection and sturdy frames, Dragon Alliance shades also come with color-optimized lenses to help you enjoy those panoramic views from the top of your trail.
- Momentum Polarized: If dragons have anything, it’s momentum. These sporty shield sunglasses feature a single wide lens design with an integrated cam hinge. This particular pair is also polarized, which helps you keep glare at bay when you hit the trail. For a festive hue, you can choose from a lucky red colorway.
- Rocker: When you navigate the wilderness, slip on this sleek red shield with color-optimizing Lumalens technology. With a wraparound style, it also offers maximum UV protection as light hits your face from multiple directions. Plus, the frame consists of an injection-molded, plant-based resin, which is extra durable (but lightweight) for even your most rigorous journeys.
Flexing Everyday Charisma: The Sleek Sunglasses That You’ll Wear Every Day
Embrace the dragon’s inherent charisma with handsomely built shades. Even those casual walks around town and long drives on the road call for a high-quality pair of sunglasses. These are our eyewear staples for everyday wear.
- The Jam: The dragon is a creature of confidence and charm — get in touch with your charismatic side with The Jam. This Dragon Alliance bestseller merges a retro sports silhouette with modern details. Fusing together Lumalens technology with a sturdy frame and sleek metal dragon details, it’s a staple that you can flex anywhere. Get it with red or copper lenses for that extra bit of Lunar New Year luck.
- Opus Upcycled: Channeling the ambitious spirit of the dragon, our Upcycled collection is one of our biggest efforts to help protect the ocean. Other than featuring a tried-and-true round silhouette and an auspicious orange frame, Opus Upcycled is made from 100% recycled water bottles.
Surfing, Fishing, and More: Conquer the Waters With Trusty Sunglasses
Dragons rule rivers and seas, so we couldn’t talk about celebrating the Year of the Dragon without including our top picks for water sports. Plus, our own roots go back to our humble beginnings in the surf community. But even if you’re not riding the waves, these sunglasses can make perfect companions for water-based activities such as fishing, kayaking, and boating. Lightweight and sleek, they’ll help you conquer the water like a dragon.
- Meridien Upcycled: Another pick in our Upcycled collection, Meridien Upcycled is lightweight and wear resistant, which makes it perfect for your adventures on the water. Great for surfing, the Lumalens technology repels water and provides superior clarity. When it comes to aesthetics, this timeless frame pays homage to the classic surf era with a handsome square frame that exudes a maverick personality and embraces the dragon’s confident spirit. Plus, the playful orange style is just-right for the New Year.
- Mari H2O Polarized: Strictly speaking, Mari H2O Polarized isn’t part of our Year of the Dragon collection, but we can’t talk about water sunglasses without giving our H2O Floatable series a shoutout. This bestselling pair floats on water with its lightweight TPX material, so you won’t have to worry about it sinking or washing away. Its polarized lenses also help you enjoy those extra bright days with exceptional clarity. And with a classically cool square silhouette, it’s easy to mix and match with virtually any outfit, whether you’re in fishing gear or swim shorts.
The Extras: Apparel and Accessories
As much as cutting-edge eyewear is at the front and center of Dragon Alliance’s offerings, we also love our sporty apparel and accessories. Even if you don’t have scales as tough as armor, you can proudly wear our Dragon logo on your clothes. In search of an everyday layer? Toss on our cotton-blend Trademark Tee in a rich heather burgundy to celebrate the New Year. When you’re on the slopes, don’t forget to keep your head warm with a yellow Cool Beans Beanie. Paired with the just-right eyewear, these are the little things that offer extra comfort on your next great adventure.
Along with our love for snow, sea, and land, Dragon Alliance channels the imperial dragon through our dedication to high-performance eyewear and accessories. With the right gear, you can embrace the Year of the Dragon by exploring all that the beautiful outdoors has to offer, no matter if you’re keen on exploring trails, shredding powder, or riding waves.