Chinese Dragons
Introduction
Chinese dragons are a big part of Chinese cultural tradition
and holidays.
Unlike many countries, Chinese dragons are considered to be
wise and honored.
These dragons are said to bring luck and good deeds
where ever they go.
Proceed To Parts of the Dragon
Proceed To Types of Dragons
Proceed To History
Proceed To Personality
Appearance
Most Chinese dragons resemble a water snake. The Chinese dragon doesn't have wings but it still has the ability to fly. It is also often said that during the life cycle of a dragon, they will eventually grow wings. These dragons are usually considered to have four toes except for the mighty imperial dragon which has five toes. These dragons are often worshiped in artwork and can take up to a whole millennium to hatch. The millennium is needed to allow the dragon to grow scales and a carp head. Over the millenniums the dragon develops more fish-like feautures and after another millennium it will begin to look like a real dragon. For the first five hundred years of its life, it is called a kiao. Once it is another millennium old, it is called a lung. Five hundred years more it will be a horned dragon and after one more millennium it becomes a winged dragon.
Parts of the Dragon
The Chinese dragons are believed to be made up of nine diffrent animal parts.
- The Nine Parts of a Chinese Dragon
- Head=Camel
- Scales=Carp (117 scales total; 81 good; 36 bad)
- Horns=Giant Stag
- Eyes=Devil
- Ears=Bull
- Neck=Snake
- Belly=Clam
- Paws=Tiger
- Claws=Eagle
The great and hornored Chinese dragons were made of all these parts. The entire dragon is made up of nine regular animal parts put together into one almighty being.
Types of Dragons
This is a picture of The Celestial Dragon.
- The Celestial Dragons
- The Celestial Dragon or Tien-lung is the dragon that protects and honors the places of Gods. This dragon also guards the gods and prevents them from falling out of the clouds.
- The Spiritual Dragons
- The Spiritual Dragon or Shen-Lung is the master of wind and rain.
- The Earth Dragons
- The Earth Dragon or Ti-Lung has the ability to control rivers and all the waters on Earth.
- The Underworld Dragons
- The Underworld Dragon or Fut's-Lung is the dragon that protects guard's metals and gems.
- The Winged Dragons
- The Winged Dragon or Yinglong are the oldest of the dragons and is the only dragon that has wings.
- The Horned Dragons
- The Horned Dragon or Qiulong are dragons with amazing power. They are also considered to be the mightiest of them all.
- The Coiling Dragons
- The Coiling Dragon or Panlong are water dragons that are said to live in the lakes of Orient.
- The Yellow Dragons
- The Yellow Dragon or Huanglong are known for their scholorly knowledge.
- The Dragon Kings
- The Dragon Kings are the rulers of the North, South, East, and West. They also have the ability to change into humans.
History
In basic Chinese dragon history, dragons are made up of Yin and Yang. While most people think of Yin as good and Yang as bad the Chinese look at it diffrently. Yin is the passive part of the universe while Yang is the active part of the universe. The Chinese dragons are a mix of all Chinese religions. Chinese dragons are very giving but at the same time they are fearful. Confucianism and Buddhism are very big aspects of the Chinese dragon. The Chinese dragon is now in many festivals and important holidays. Chinese dragons is said to have the power of the yang. The dragon is said to bring rain and water to supply rivers and lakes. Therefore these dragons are looked at honorably and worshiped. Dragons often associated with emperors, it is said that when an emperor dies, he would be reborn in heaven on the back of a dragon.In the 16th through 11th centuries the Chinese sign for dragon is developed. Dragons were drew in pictures, paintings, carvings, and artwork. The dragon symbol was worshiped and Chinese culture believed it brought rainfall. Eventually it became the symbol of the Qing Dynasty. In Buddhism dragons have a huge connection to their religion. Buddhist religion believed that these "serpant like creatures" are one of the eight deities that protected the Buddha. It was said that the dragons or "NAGA" protected prince Siddhartha from violent winds and rains for a week. In the 9th century Buddhists introduced their beliefs of dragons to the Chinese which they incorporated. You can find more information on the subject here.
Personality of Chinese Dragons
Chinese dragons are very confident and think of themselfs very highly. Chinese dragons are very stubborn and like to be the leader. They tend to push their body to the limit and are very powerful. But even though they are powerful and extremely strong they aren't very sneaky. They like to play the game fairly and they strive to win. They are born leaders and will continue to fight on in order to suceed.