Enter the Dragon! In 2024 Chinese New Year commences on February 10, ushering in the year of the Dragon, fifth symbol of the Chinese zodiac. The Dragon is a special sign, being the only imaginary animal in the Chinese zodiac. There are actually five Dragons: metal, earth, fire, water and wood. At Ugears we are especially excited that 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon, an event that only occurs every sixty years! Dragons are said to be energetic, creative, diplomatic, and born leaders. Because Wood Dragons are associated with a living element, they are capable of great growth leading to an abundance of all the Dragon qualities.

Symbol of the Emperor and imperial power, dragon statues have been found in China going back almost 8,000 years. Unlike European dragons that are fearful monsters to be slain, Chinese dragons are associated with prosperity and good luck. They are often depicted with a flaming pearl clutched in their teeth or claws, symbolizing the universal Qi, source of all energy and creation. The pearl also symbolizes wisdom, spiritual power and immortality. Because of these auspicious, sought-after qualities, in countries that observe the Chinese zodiac more children are born under the sign of the Dragon than any other symbol!

The Ugears Wood Dragon is a 3D puzzle box and DIY model of a lucky dragon clutching a fiery red pearl in its left claw. The long, coiled, four-limbed Wood Dragon, styled after representations of dragons in Chinese art, sits atop a special stand with a hidden drawer that springs open when a secret button, disguised as a flower, is pressed (the drawer closes manually). The Dragon is completely detachable and can be stood up on any surface and admired separately from the stand. Store a secret message, fortune or small treasure inside the Wood Dragon's base. You could even place a special red envelope (known as 紅包, or hóngbāo) inside the drawer, enclosing a Lunar New Year's gift, then present the Wood Dragon with both hands and challenge the recipient to open the treasure box!

The Wood Dragon from Ugears is a very special model for 2024—the year of the Wood Dragon. Like all Ugears models it's made of art-quality composite wood. You won't need glue or special tools to build this lucky model—just push the pieces out of their precision laser-cut boards and snap them together following the step-by-step, full-color illustrated instructions in 11 languages (Ukrainian, Chinese and Korean, English, German, French, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Italian). If you break any pieces during construction just email Ugears' amazing customer service team and we will mail you replacement parts free of charge!  The model kit includes a metal spring that powers the drawer mechanism, a transparent red glass orb, and a piece of sandpaper and wax to smooth and lubricate the moving parts for optimal function. The Ugears Wood Dragon is rated "Easy" level, with 141 parts, and can be built in just about 2 hours. It joins the European-style Windstorm Dragon in Ugears' dragon collection. Collect both to compare how this mythical beast is depicted in each culture.

Give the Ugears Wood Dragon as a very special gift for Chinese New Year 2024, either as a boxed set for your recipient to build, or build the model yourself and present the elegant Wood Dragon as a completed model, perhaps with a hóngbāo inside the secret drawer, for an extra special New Year's gift!