Dragon Lore

The first recorded Dragon Myth dates back to 2000 BC. The Babylonian mother goddess, Tiamat, was killed by one of her own progeny - Marduk. Recent discoveries unearthed in Henan Province, China have proven that dragon symbols appeared on Chinese utensils dating back to 6000 BC.

Chinese Dragons have for thousands of years been sacred symbols of change and are often portrayed as two opposing dragons - embodying the concept of Yin and Yan.

In Western culture dragons seem to embody evil, but in the Chinese culture they are thought to bring good fortune. Many believed they were directly related to the dragon and would transform into the mythical being when they died. Dragons have long been honored in ancient folk festivals and traditional New Year's celebrations. Ancient tradition says that dragons water the rice fields providing the cornerstone of Chinese civilization. They appear in architecture, fabric and ceramics.

There are nine different ways that dragons are depicted in Chinese culture. Dragons appear on bells because of their habit of calling loudly when attacked. Being fond of music, dragons also appear on violins. Some are carved on the tops of stone tablets, because of dragons' love of literature. Some are found at the bottom of stone monuments. These dragons can support heavy weights.

Placed on the eaves of temples, the dragons are ever alert to danger. Since dragons are fond of water they can be found on the beams of bridges,. As dragons like to rest, some are shown on Buddha's throne. Being on the hilts of swords, indicate dragons are known to be capable of slaughter. Being quarrelsome and trouble makers some are carved on prison gates.

Types of Dragons

There are nine major types of Chinese dragons These include the horned dragon, the winged dragon, the celestial dragon (which supports and protects the mansions of the gods), the spiritual dragon which generates wind and rain for the benefit of mankind), the dragon of hidden treasures (which keeps guard over concealed wealth), the coiling dragon (which lives in water), and the yellow dragon (which once emerged from water and presented the legendary Emperor Fu Shi with the elements of writing) The last of the nine is the dragon king, which actually consists of four separate dragons, each of which rules over one of the four seas, those of the east, south, west, and north.

The most powerful generalized type of Chinese dragon is the horned dragon, or lung, which can produce rain and is totally deaf (this is why the hearing impaired in China are called lung). Additionally, there is a hornless dragon (Ii) that lives in the ocean and another type (chiao) that is scale-covered and usually inhabits marshes but also keeps dens in the mountains. The third type of dragon, Mang, has four claws and holds sway over temporal power. The fourth dragon is Jiao and lives under hills. It's dragon's breath is believed to bring good fortune.

The colors of Chinese dragons are evidently quite variable, but in the case of the chiao type its back is striped with green, its sides are yellow, and it is crimson underneath.

The Lung or Water Dragon

Considered to be the authentic dragon, and the most worshipped, the lung dragon has nine characteristics.

The nine major characteristics of a lung type dragon (this is the dragon that lives in the water and controls the rains) include a head like a camel's, horns like a deer's, eyes like a hare's, ears like a bull's, a neck like an iguana's, a belly like a frog's, scales like a carp's, paws like a tiger's, and claws like an eagle's. It has a pair of large canine teeth in its upper jaw The long, tendril-like whiskers extending from either side of its mouth are probably used for feeling its way along the bottom of muddy ponds.

In color it varies from greenish to golden, with a series of alternating short and long spines extending down the back and along the tail, where they become longer. One specimen had wings at its side, and walked on top of the water. Another tossed its mane back and forth making noises that sounded like a flute.

Cow-heads are also common. A ten-footer, found lying on the banks of China's Yangtze River, was different from most because of its long, thick eyebrows. A Yellow River variety, seen on shore in the 1920s by a Chinese teacher, was bright blue, and as big as five cows. Both dragons crawled into the water as soon as it started to rain.

A few dragons begin life as fish. Carp, who successfully jump rapids and leap over waterfalls, change into fish-dragons. A popular saying, "The carp has leaped through the dragon's gate," means success, especially for students who have passed their exams.

Yet Chinese dragons have a destructive side, too. They are also thought to deliver the devastating storms that regularly batter China's shores. Why would the life-giving dragon release such deadly tempests? What affront could humans have committed to merit this punishment? According to Chinese folklore mortal behavior, in fact, has nothing to do with it.

Dragons and Royalty

Peasants tell stories of dragon kings. These noble animals live in aquatic palaces on the ocean floor. In the spring, the dragons ascend to the heavens. In the autumn, they return to their undersea homes. These seasonal passages are said to stir up China's destructive storms.

Far from the tempests of everyday life stands China's Forbidden City, the emperor's exclusive palace. It is adorned with dragons. How was this idol of the peasantry welcomed into the royal household? Thousands of years ago a lowly soldier of fortune named Yu Pang rose to the pinnacle of Chinese society. He was poised to become Emperor, the Son of Heaven. But Yu Pang had a problem. His common origins did not bode well in tradition-bound China. The founder of a great dynasty needed a great lineage, so Yu Pang invented one. He claimed to have descend from dragons.

Curiously, the emperor's dragon was always depicted with five claws. This creature became so wedded to the imperial identity that before long every feature of the Chinese court was described in terms of dragons. The emperor was called "the true dragon," he sat on "the dragon throne" and wrapped himself in "dragon robes." So jealously did the royal household guard its five-clawed dragon that anyone who displayed the symbol without approval was punished by death.

For the Chinese people, the dragon has become such a part of their culture that it is associated with every part of their lives. Today's dragon boat racers may not think of their races/festivals as clashes between heavenly dragons, but the excitement, intensity and spectacle prevail. Dragon Boat Racing attracts thousands of fans and participants in countries that Qu Yuan and the ancient Chinese and never imagined.

The Dragon lives on . . .

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