Sometimes, Chinese dragons seem to be everywhere. We see these symbols in sports, on clothing, in books, and in movies. Some people even have dragon tattoos.
You’ve seen dragon iconography, but have you considered where dragons originate or what they symbolize? How much do you know about the many types of Chinese dragons? Read on to discover more about China’s most famous mythological creatures.
Table of Contents
- A Distinctly Chinese Cultural Tradition
- The Origins of Chinese Dragon Legends
- Where Do Dragons Live?
- The Importance of Dragons in Chinese Culture
- Business prosperity
- Good harvest and health
- Protective tokens
- What Do Chinese Dragons Symbolize?
- What is the Symbolism Behind Dragon Colors?
- White Dragon
- Red Dragon
- Yellow Dragon
- Black Dragon
- Types of Chinese Dragons
- The Legacy Lives On
A Distinctly Chinese Cultural Tradition
For starters, it’s worth noting that the Chinese dragon, or 龙 (lóng), is very different from theEuropean dragon. For example, while European dragons breath fire, the Chinese dragon typically breaths clouds.
The anatomy of the Chinese dragon is also unique. The head, for instance, often looks like that of a camel while the eyes look like those of a demon.
Similarly, the neck looks like that of a snake whereas its paws are those of a tiger. Contrary to what most people assume, the legendary Chinese dragon was usually not vengeful.
Ancient Chinese people didn’t usually blame dragons for natural catastrophes and other disasters. Instead, they often saw dragons as benevolent, wise, and powerful.
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The Origins of Chinese Dragon Legends
No one knows exactly when legends about dragons first originated, but the symbol dates back to at least 3000 BCE. According to one theory, the legendary Chinese dragon evolved out of ancient totem-worship practices. Ancient people may have created dragons by combining the attributes of several creatures like tigers, snakes, eagles, and carp.
A different theory posits that theYan emperor (炎帝 Yándì), a legendary Chinese leader from pre-dynastic times, was born of an encounter with a powerful dragon. As a result, Yandi was more powerful than most leaders. He partnered with Emperor Huang Di and together they conquered their enemies, unified China and, according to myth, pioneered Chinese civilization.
As time progressed, many Chinese came to believe that Yandi was one of their ancestors, which by extension meant that they were also the descendants of dragons
Where Do Dragons Live?
In the real world, dragons do not exist (surprise!). In the mythological stories they inhabit, however, dragons reside in a variety of places. The celestial dragon, for example, lives in the sky, while the coiling dragon lives in the sea.
According to ancient Chinese mythology, some dragons live in the sea while others live in the sky.
The Importance of Dragons in Chinese Culture
Dragons are significant in Chinese culture because they’re associated with the following:
Business prosperity
DuringChinese New Year, many celebrations start with a dragon dance. The aim of the dance is not just to attract attention but also to ask for a prosperous new business year from the dragon gods.
Good harvest and health
In traditional times, Chinese farmers requested plentiful harvests by making offerings to dragon gods. When drought struck, they did the same in an attempt to encourage a downpour from the heavens. Some people also believed dragons could protect their lands and harvests from flood damage.
In addition to Chinese New Year, the dragon is a very significant creature during the Dragon Boat Festival, aChinese holidaythat’s celebrated throughout China in late spring or early summer. During this festival, dragon-shaped boat races are traditionally held.
There are many theories about how the Dragon Boat Festival originated. One theory suggests that in its earliest form, the festival was celebrated to request good health as well as a bountiful harvest from the dragon gods.
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Protective tokens
In China, people believe dragons can offer protection to homes and businesses. They’re seen as protective figures that can be printed or engraved on sentimental or valuable objects.
What Do Chinese Dragons Symbolize?
Dragons are powerful creatures in Chinese mythology. They’re associated with the ability to control the seasons, time, and harvests. Generally, they symbolize the following:
Everything male – In traditional Chinese society, men were considered to be physically strong and powerful and were often influential in community matters. Dragons were employed as representations of this relative dominance in traditional society. Masculine traits, thus, were considered physical manifestations of the mythological dragon.
Nobleness– According toChinese astrology, those born in theYear of the Dragonare more prosperous and noble than others. For example, 1988, 2000, and 2012 are considered dragon years (see our full article onChinese Zodiac Animals). Many Chinese people consider those born during dragon years to be strong-willed, decisive, and self-confident.
Agricultural life– According to Chinese mythology, dragons control the weather and the seasons. Though most dragons are wingless, male dragons possess the power to fly to the heavens and bring rain, while female dragons control earthly waters like rivers, lakes, seas, and wells.
Good fortune– Some people also believe dragons symbolize fortune and good luck. Thus, people often engrave dragons on utensils and personal items to attract the best life has to offer.
Kindness– In China, dragons are symbols of kindness and warmth. (Remember, the Chinese dragon doesn’t breathe fire as its European counterparts do.) However, there are some exceptions, as we will see below.
Note the faded dragon symbol on the clothing of the Yongle Emperor (1360-1424 CE).
What is the Symbolism Behind Dragon Colors?
Chinese dragons are colorful creatures and each color holds unique symbolism. For example, blue and green dragons symbolize nature, health, and tranquility. Some people also associate blue and green dragons with healing, peace, and rest. Other notable dragon colors are:
White Dragon
The white dragon symbolizes purity, just like in the West. However, people sometimes also associate it with death and mourning and see it as a bad omen.
Red Dragon
The red dragon symbolizes good fortune. For this reason, the symbol is popular at weddings and other celebrations to encourage happiness and good luck.
Yellow Dragon
The yellow dragon symbolizes good fortune and power. Some also believe this dragon can control time and seasons. Since it’s the most revered dragon, ancient people often used it as a symbol of empire and the emperor. People also generally associate this dragon with attributes like warmth, wisdom, and wealth.
Black Dragon
Most people associate the black dragon with vengeance. Thus, it’s often linked to catastrophes like storms and floods.
Black dragons traditionally symbolize vengeance.
Types of Chinese Dragons
The Chinese tradition includes a variety of different dragon types. Each is surrounded with a wealth of rich symbolism.
- Spiritual Dragon – The spiritual dragon is blue and controls both the rain and the winds. Its job is to ensure that humans benefit from these two elements.
- Winged Dragon – The fact that this dragon has wings is somewhat strange considering that most Chinese dragons are wingless. It is, however, a very significant type of dragon. It symbolizes rain and at times, floods.
- Celestial Dragon – This dragon resides in the sky, where it protects the celestial gods from falling to earth.
- Coiling Dragon – Known to live in the sea, the coiling dragon controls time. While most dragons possess the ability to ascend to the sky, the coiling dragon is restricted to the waters.
- Treasure Dragon – The Chinese believe this dragon can protect hidden treasures like precious metals, money, and personal wealth.
- Underworld Dragon – This dragon controls rivers, streams, and seas. Some believe it’s the feminine version of the spiritual dragon and for this reason, the two can copulate.
- Horned Dragon – The horned dragon is one of the most powerful dragons in the Chinese tradition. Although sometimes depicted as having evil tendencies, it’s also associated with making rain.
- Dragon King– Lastly, the dragon king or dragon god is considered the most powerful of all dragons. He can appear in a variety of shapes and is often depicted as human. He is thought to reign over the seas of China in all four directions (East, West, North, and South).
Many different types of dragons are represented in traditional Chinese culture.
The Legacy Lives On
Dragons may only be mythological creatures, but they are very important to the Chinese people and the impact of this cultural phenomenon is far-reaching.
Historically, dragons have served as important symbols with a variety of mostly positive meanings. Understanding Chinese dragons brings you one step closer to a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
FAQs
Learn About Chinese Dragons | Chinese Language Institute? ›
Horned Dragon – The horned dragon is one of the most powerful dragons in the Chinese tradition. Although sometimes depicted as having evil tendencies, it's also associated with making rain. Dragon King – Lastly, the dragon king or dragon god is considered the most powerful of all dragons.
What is the most powerful Chinese dragon? ›Horned Dragon – The horned dragon is one of the most powerful dragons in the Chinese tradition. Although sometimes depicted as having evil tendencies, it's also associated with making rain. Dragon King – Lastly, the dragon king or dragon god is considered the most powerful of all dragons.
How many types of Chinese dragons are there? ›Ancient Chinese cosmogonists defined four types of dragons: the Celestial Dragon (Tianlong), who guards the heavenly dwellings of the gods; the Dragon of Hidden Treasure (Fuzanglong); the Earth Dragon (Dilong), who controls the waterways; and the Spiritual Dragon (Shenlong), who controls the rain and winds.
What do the colors of the Chinese dragons mean? ›The Chinese dragon colors are significant to their power, and can be used as good luck symbols and support for manifesting goals. The Blue Dragon: Harmony and peace. The White Dragon: Purity and the cycle of life. The Black Dragon: Power and honor.
What is the difference between a Chinese dragon and a Japanese dragon? ›The Chinese dragon has branched horns but the Japanese dragon's are long and straight. Where the Chinese dragon has four or five toes on each paw, the Japanese has only three. The typical Japanese dragon has a short, spiky beard and moustache as well as eyebrows, but it has no mane.
Which color dragon is the strongest? ›Red dragons are the largest and most powerful of the classic chromatic dragons.
Who is the king of all dragons? ›In Chinese mythology, Longwang (龍王) lords over the seas and is known as the “Dragon King.” He is a fearsome guardian deity who controls all dragons, sea creatures, the oceans, and the weather.
What is the most famous Chinese dragon? ›The Azure Dragon of the East is one of the most famous dragons in China. One of the Four Constellations (, s xing, four symbols) it can be seen in the night sky alongside the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West and the Black Turtle of the North.
What do the dragon eye colors mean? ›Red means hunger, blue and green are sort of general shades, white means danger, and yellow is fright." The DLG states "Green or blue registers contentment, yellow signals alarm and red means anger."
What is the unlucky color for dragon? ›Things that Dragons should avoid:
Unlucky colors: blue, green. Unlucky numbers: 3 and 8. Unlucky direction: northwest. Unlucky months: the 5th and 6th Chinese lunar months.
What color dragon is good luck? ›
Chinese New Year and other celebrations
The red dragon is the strongest symbol for good luck and prosperity in China, which is why it is used to usher in good tidings for the new year.
As a symbol of joy, celebration, vitality, success and good fortune, red is the luckiest color in Chinese culture. It's famously used in important events such as weddings and festivals like Chinese New Year. You'll see everything from red lanterns lining the streets to red outfits and red letters pasted on doors.
Are there dragons in Native American culture? ›Horned Serpent
One of the most common form of native American dragons, a recurring figure among many indigenous tribes of the Southeast Woodlands and other tribal groups.
The Chinese dragon, also known as the loong, long or lung (Chinese: 龍 / 龙), is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture at large.
What does a dragon holding a ball mean? ›Dragon With Wish-Fulfilling Jewel
Sometimes you'll find the dragon holding a pearl, also known as the wish-fulfilling jewel. In Buddhist iconography, the wish-fulfilling jewel represents the radiance of the sun that brings light to all darkness and can grant true joy.
Draconic was the language of dragons. Dragons called their language Glav (meaning "speech/converse"), and it used its own distinct alphabet, called Iokharic.
Which dragon is the most beautiful? ›Also known as Sunfyre the Golden, according to Archmaester Gyldayn, was the most beautiful dragon ever seen in the known world. He had a golden skin and a golden flame. Despite being young, he was huge and a formidable fighter. King Aegon II rode the Dragon during the Targaryen civil war – Dance Of The Dragons.
What is the strongest dragon element? ›- Apocalypse Dragon.
- Promethium Dragon.
- Abyss Dragon.
- Forge Dragon.
- Supersonic Dragon.
- Mirage Dragon.
- Millenium Dragon.
In medieval literature, the ichneumon or echinemon was the enemy of the dragon. When it sees a dragon, the ichneumon covers itself with mud, and closing its nostrils with its tail, attacks and kills the dragon.
What is the rarest dragon in real life? ›The Patagonian ice dragon lives on glaciers and is believed to have natural anti-freeze in its blood. This rare creature is endangered because its habitat is melting away.
What is the biggest dragon known to man? ›
The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard in the world. These wild dragons typically weigh about 154 pounds (70 kilograms), but the largest verified specimen reached a length of 10.3 feet (3.13 meters) and weighed 366 pounds (166 kilograms). Males tend to grow larger and bulkier than females.
Who is Chinese dragon god? ›The Dragon King, also known as the Dragon God, is a Chinese water and weather god. He is regarded as the dispenser of rain, commanding over all bodies of water. He is the collective personification of the ancient concept of the lóng in Chinese culture.
Who is the mother of all dragons? ›Who is Daenerys Targaryen? Deep breath; Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons – otherwise known as Dany – is one the most significant characters in Game of Thrones.
Who is the father of all dragons? ›Glaurung, first introduced in The Silmarillion, is described as the Father of Dragons in Tolkien's legendarium, and the first of the Urulóki, the Fire-drakes of Angband.
Why Chinese dragon is so special? ›Explain that in China the dragon is the symbol of the emperor, the man who ruled the country. The emperor he was the most powerful man in China and, as his representative, the dragon was the most powerful symbol.
Is the Chinese dragon an angel? ›Chinese Dragon Mythology
Chinese dragons are the angels of the Orient and are cherished and worshipped. Most temples throughout China will have shrines to honour them, for they control the rain, rivers, lakes, and seas.
On average, Chinese water dragons can live for 10 to 15 years, although in captivity they may live up to 20 years.
What does the blue Chinese dragon mean? ›Blue and Green Dragons
In Chinese culture, blue and green are colors representing nature, health, healing, peace, and growth. A blue/green dragon symbolizes the approaching of spring, new life, and plant growth.
The Dragon's Eye is a power that synchronizes with the spirits of all things, thus it gives it user a type of prescience that allowed him/her to see anywhere past, present, possible futures, as well as seeing and hearing the dead. Dragon's Eye can also be used to make astral project and psychometry.
What does the purple Chinese dragon mean? ›Purple / Violet Dragons
Purple dragons symbolize wealth and royalty. On the other hand, a purple dragons symbolize mourning and grief. Since Taoism sees violet as the marker of the transition between active (Yang) and passive (Yin) aspects, a violet dragon symbolizes a transitional or liminal creature.
What is the lucky element for dragon? ›
Dragon sign people with the Gold element are natural and straightforward, talented and desire to be seen, and they often change their mind due to their continually changing emotions. They have always been unpredictable to others, but they mean no harm.
What does a green Chinese dragon mean? ›The Green Dragon of the East, one of the Animals of the Four Directions in China, symbolizes the East and the spring. His element is wood, and the Green Dragon brings regenerating rains. The Green Dragon embodied the active Yang principle, a positive force of weather. [
What color is bad luck? ›In many cultures, black is thought to be unlucky and black cats, in particular, are said to bring bad luck to anyone that crosses their path. In China, white is generally seen as unlucky, while Brazil and Thailand consider purple to be a colour that can bring about misfortune to anyone who uses it outside of a funeral.
Which way should a Chinese dragon face? ›To attract wealth, prosperity and success, it is suggested to place a Feng Shui dragon in the north or east direction of your house. It should face inwards as it indicates the energy flowing into the house. You must strictly avoid placing the dragon facing the entrance door or any window.
What zodiac is a dragon? ›Years Of The Dragon Chinese Zodiac
If you were born in the years 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024, you were born under the zodiac sign of the Dragon. It's worth noting that the Chinese zodiac is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which starts in late January or early February.
Conclusion. Utilizing an image known throughout the ancient Near East, the biblical authors depict Yahweh as a fire-breathing dragon in order to illustrate graphically the fierceness of his anger.
What color attracts wealth? ›Gold is the most powerful color if you are thinking of attracting affluence, fame, and wealth. Due to all these things, it is the most powerful color that attracts wealth. Also, you can interpret the color of gold effortlessly.
What color attracts wealth best? ›In Feng Shui, green represents stability, serenity, and fertility. It's a colour that indicates when nature and life are at their peaks. As the colour of life in the natural world, it's also used to attract economic wealth, as it symbolises prosperity in its most natural form.
What color is lucky for wealth? ›The five lucky colours associated with bringing prosperity and wealth are red, purple, green, black, and blue.
What religion uses dragons? ›Dragons have been part of East Asian culture for more than 4,000 years. In the religious traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, they have been honored as sources of power and bringers of rain.
What religion involves dragons? ›
Today, dragons are celebrated and revered in Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianism traditions as symbols of strength and enlightenment. Dragons also appear in Anatolian religions, Sumerian myths, Germanic sagas, Shinto beliefs and in Abrahamic scriptures.
Who is the Chinese mother of dragons? ›'Mother of Dragons'), transliterated as Lung Mo in Cantonese, was a Chinese woman who was deified as a goddess after raising five infant dragons. Longmu and her dragons developed a strong bond for each other and have thus become an example of filial devotion and parental love, an important virtue in Chinese culture.
Who are the 5 Dragon Kings? ›The Five Dragon Kings are Tiamat, Yu-Long, Vritra, Midgardsormr, and Fafnir. Tannin was also one of the Dragon Kings before leaving and joining the Devils.
What is a chi dragon? ›Chi (Chinese: 螭; pinyin: chī; Wade–Giles: ch'ih) means either "a hornless dragon" or "a mountain demon" (namely, chīmèi 螭魅) in Chinese mythology. Hornless dragons were a common motif in ancient Chinese art, and the chiwen 螭吻 (lit.
Why does a Chinese dragon have a pearl in its mouth? ›A dragon holding a pearl is a common image found in Chinese art and the tale is one of the oldest and best-known legends in Chinese folklore. The pearl is a symbol of wisdom, spiritual energy and power and the dragon represents prosperity and good luck as well as being a rain deity.
What does it mean when a dragon is facing down? ›Dragons in Chinese culture are viewed as guidance and protectors because they are wise and bring good luck. Chinese dragons are always depicted as ascending towards the sky because dragons pointed downwards were seen as a bad omen.
What does a jade dragon represent? ›In Asia, the dragon is seen as a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. Jade is known as the "Stone of Heaven" and is said to represent wisdom, beauty, courage, and perfection. So when you see a jade dragon carving, it's not just a beautiful piece of art - it's also a symbol of good luck and fortune.
What is the strongest element dragon? ›- Apocalypse Dragon.
- Promethium Dragon.
- Abyss Dragon.
- Forge Dragon.
- Supersonic Dragon.
- Mirage Dragon.
- Millenium Dragon.
Perhaps it won't surprise you to learn that Caraxes—like Daemon—is know to be particularly brutal, described as one of the fiercest dragons in the Dragonpit.
Who is the strongest dragon god? ›Aldoron: The largest of Dragon Gods who "commands life", possessing the ability to read the minds of others and absorb the nutrients from the living.
Which dragon is the king of dragons? ›
Wild or naturally raised Bewilderbeasts appear to have an authoritative yet reclusive and non-aggressive demeanor. This leads the Bewilderbeast species to be referred to the "King of all Dragons". Dragons under their care may be referred to as 'Primals', according to Dragons: Rise of Berk.
Who is more powerful than dragon? ›10 Stronger: Whitebeard
According to Sengoku, he held the power to destroy the world while Garp openly acknowledged him as the King of the Seas. Whitebeard was, undoubtedly, stronger than Dragon.
Goomy may be undeniably cute, but it's incredibly weak in nearly every measurable metric. In fact, the Pokedex states in multiple Pokemon games that it is the weakest Dragon-type ever recorded.
What kind of Chinese dragon are you? ›| Years of the Dragon | Chinese Zodiac Years Calendar | Types of Dragon |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | February 17, 1988 – February 5, 1989 | Earth Dragon |
| 2000 | February 5, 2000 – January 23, 2001 | Gold Dragon |
| 2012 | January 23, 2012 – February 9, 2013 | Water Dragon |
| 2024 | February 10, 2024 – January 28, 2025 | Wood Dragon |
There are multiple species of dragons as well, which all possess their own unique abilities. Purple Dragons Much like the purple dragons from the Spyro series, purple dragons in Skylanders can harness the powers of all the elements.
What does the dragon mean in the Chinese zodiac? ›In the Chinese culture, the dragon represents good luck, strength, health and also the male element Yang. The dragon is unique because it is the only mythical creature of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac and babies are born in the year of the dragon more than any other animal.
Who is the most powerful dragon family? ›House Balaerys became one of the most powerful families in the world. The current head of the family is King Aurion Balaerys. He is married to Daenerys Targaryen, exiled daughter of the last Targaryen king of Westeros.
Did dragons ever live on earth? ›"Unfortunately, no, we do not have evidence of dragons on this planet. We do have evidence of very cool extinct animals that were kind of similar to dragons, but no fire-breathing six-legged vertebrates, I'm afraid."
What dragon has the strongest fire? ›He is well-known to be the greatest of all dragons in Tolkien's mythology, and appears in The Silmarillion. He was said to be as big as a mountain, and the largest dragon who ever existed. Like other dragons, Ancalagon could breathe fire, which was said to be hotter than the flames of any other dragon.
Who is the female dragon god? ›The drakaina was a sacred female spirit dragon generally slain only by gods or demigods. Zeus slew Delphyne and Campe, Apollo slew Python, and Argus Panoptes slew Echidna. Echidna was the mate of Typhon and the mother of a huge brood of monsters, including other dragon-like creatures.
Who is the god of all dragons? ›
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Bahamut (Dungeons & Dragons)
| Bahamut | |
|---|---|
| Race | Deity |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | The Platinum Dragon, King of the Good Dragons, Lord of the North Wind, Wyrmking |
| Alignment | Lawful Good |