Facts on Chinese Dragons

Chinese dragons are powerful and benevolent symbols in Chinese culture, with supposed control over watery phenomenon, e.g. summoning rain during a drought. Dragons are everywhere in China — in legends, festivals, astrology, art, names, and idioms.

Dragons are seen as lucky and good — quite different from the evil, dangerous, scary, terrifying, fire-breathing dragons of most Western stories. 

Quick Facts About Chinese Dragons

• Chinese dragons don’t exist factually — there is no evidence to prove that they are real creatures.
• The Dragon is one of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs.
•  Emperors in ancient China were identified as the sons of dragons. And, at that time, ordinary people were not allowed to have items with pictures of dragons on them.
• Chinese dragons are symbolic of being lucky, propitious, powerful, and noble; not as monsters as they are portrayed in Western stories.
• Most Chinese dragons’ pictures have long bodies like snakes and sharp claws like hawks — less like dinosaurs than Western dragons..
• Chinese dragons live at the bottom of seas, rivers, lakes, or anywhere with water.

Ancient Chinese Dragon Symbols
Dragons are found in many aspects of Chinese culture from legends about Chinese ancestry to modern mascots, from festival events to astrology to idioms.

The ancestor of the Chinese People
It was said that thousands of years ago, Yandi (a legendary tribal leader) was born by his mother’s telepathy with a mighty dragon. With the help of the dragon, and allied with Huangdi (a legendary tribal leader), they opened the prelude to Chinese civilization; so Yandi and Huangdi were considered to be ancestors of the Chinese people.

As time has gone by, Chinese people refer to themselves as the descendants of Yandi and Huangdi, as well as the descendants of the Chinese dragon.

A Spirit of ‘Unrelenting and Pioneering’
Dragon has transformed from an imaginary prodigy to a mascot from ancient times to the present. It represents the Chinese people’s unrelenting and pioneering spirit of keeping pace with the times.

Not only is the dragon prevailing in China, but it’s also very popular among the Chinese people living overseas; it has become the symbol of China and of Chinese culture.

Associated with Festivals and Celebrations
Dragon dance: The dragon dance is performed at many celebrations, e.g. Chinese New Year. Generally, there is a long dragon, spanning up to 70 meters, that is constructed using hoops made of bamboo covered with glistening fabric, and held by dancers.

Dragon boat racing: Dragon boats are decorated like a Chinese dragon. This activity usually attracts many people to appreciate the custom during the traditional Dragon Boat Festival.

The 9 Types of the Chinese Dragon
According to Chinese myths, the dragon has nine sons with different characters, and their images are widely used in architectural decoration, especially in the imperial palaces. The nine sons are often used in buildings’ decorations and sculptures.

There are 9 types of Chinese dragons, as the number 9 is sacred and is related to the yang (the white part of the emblem of Taoism, yin, and yang. ☯. Most of the Pixiu dragon on lucky charms like the Genuine Black Obsidian wealth bracelet has 3 nines engrave under it. 999 signals that a cycle of your life is ending and making way for a new one to begin, so don’t resist if it seems like multiple things are all falling away at once. You may soon, or already be experiencing endings, and a sort of clearing or cleaning up of old friendships, connections, and even employment which doesn’t really serve your Divine life purpose.
The angel message within 999 signals that this is all happening to more fully align you with your soul’s mission, purpose, and with your authentic truth.

Some people are claiming that the Pixiu dragon is evil and advising you not to buy it. The fact is, they are reading 9, the wrong way, claiming it’s 666. You must read it with the Pixiu upward, not downward. People who claim this must also understand that there are other people also in this world who believe in different things other than your beliefs. It is like saying that you are good and other races or religions are bad. That’s unfair to the Chinese people who believe in these things. So if you are really good as you claim, don’t judge other people by their beliefs, races, and such things. You are not alone in this world, you must accept that there are people who believe differently as you do. And for your information, Feng Shui has nothing to do with religion.

Names of the 9 Types of Dragons in China
1.
Bixi (赑屃 Bìxì /bee-sshee/) The Tianlong (celestial dragon) They protect the celestial palace and carry it, the eldest, tortoise-shaped with sharp teeth, is used to carrying heavy stone tablets with inscriptions; often on graves/monuments. He likes to carry heavy things because he has great strength and also loves words. The many famous steles in China are carried by Baxia.
2.
Qiuniu (囚牛 Qiúniú /chyoh-nyoh/) Shenlong (spiritual dragon): Controls wind, rainfall, and clouds. It is blue/yellow scaly dragon; the dragon who likes and excels in music, is carved on the screws of fiddles. He likes to crouch and listen to music on the head of stringed instruments.
3.
Yazi (睚眦 Yázì /yaa-dzrr/) Fucanglong (dragon of hidden treasures): They live underground protecting precious stones and strange minerals. Snake belly and leopard head. A bad-tempered type, fractious, and inclined to fight, this dragon often appears on ancient weapons. You can usually see it carved on sword grips or knife hilts and battle-ax. It is believed that his figure can add power to the weapons.
4.
Chaofeng (嘲风 Cháofēng /chaoww-fnng/: Dilong (dragon of the underworlds): Dragons of the earth that run rivers or streams. They are said to be the feminine of the Shenlong and can mate with them, instinctively adventurous; is fearless, and loves to take risks. This lion-like beast likes to watch from high places and therefore is placed on every corner of palace roof ridges.
5.
Pulao (蒲牢 Púláo /poo-laoww/): Yinglong (winged dragon): According to legend was a faithful servant of the Yellow Emperor who became a dragon forever. Known for loud crying; the dragon who has the habit to call loudly when attacked, he is usually carved on tops of the gongs and bells, often on bell handles. He lives near the sea, and he fears to meet the big whale.
6.
Chiwen (螭吻 chīwěn /chee-wnn/) Jiaolong (the name is very ambiguous, it can mean aquatic dragon, mother dragon, snake dragon) Aquatic dragon resembling a reptile. It is the most primitive type. Lives in the sea, harsh-voiced, delights in devouring creatures; the dragons who like swallowing, they are placed on both ends of the palace ridgepoles of roofs (to swallow all evil influences). Since he is also in charge of the rainfall, therefore the design must have the purpose of safeguarding palaces from fire.
7.
Bi’an (狴犴 Bì’àn /bee-an/) Panlong (coiled dragon): Water dragon similar to the Jiaolong. It also controls time. His figure is like a tiger. This wise dragon is used to tell who is bad or good, so his figure became decorations of court or prison/jail gates.
8.
Suanni (狻猊 Suānní /swann-nee/) Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Lion-shaped, delights in sitting cross-legged and smelling incense; likes fire and smoke, often on Buddhist temple. His likeness can be seen on the legs of incense-burners. You can also see him guarding beside the main door. It is said that the Yellow Emperor became this dragon at the end of his life. It is also said that the Yellow dragon taught writing to the goddess Fuxi and that she controls the seasons and time. Its element is earth.
9.
Fuxi (负屃 Fùxì /foo-sshee/) Long Wang (dragon king) Most Chinese dragon-like; loves literature and his figures can be seen carved on sides of stone tablets with inscriptions. Actually, according to mythology, there are only 4 dragons. They each own a sea of China and live in glass palaces under the sea. They can also manipulate the weather and cause rain.

The dragon of the Chinese horoscope 🐉
The dragon is one of the most important mythological animals of the Chinese horoscope. Symbolizing fortune and good luck, people born in the year of the dragon are usually charismatic, strong in character, proud, and noble. But also sentimental and generous with the family and people most important to the sign of the dragon.

The importance of the dragon in Chinese culture
The long was highly revered by people, so much so that even today the dragon dance is performed (a dance performed by several people who hold a dragon making it move). This dance can be seen at the Chinese New Year festival.

The Chinese claimed (and say) to be the descendants of the dragons themselves. They are still depicted as sculptures protecting homes or businesses and as graphic designs on any type of Chinese product. They are still held in high esteem.

In some circles, depicting a dragon facing downwards is considered bad luck as if the dragon cannot ascend to the sky. When placing your feng shui dragon, you should not place it in lower-energy areas such as the garage, closets, or the bathroom, and do not have too many dragons in the home. The maximum recommended number of dragons in your home is 5. Some also believe that you have to be strong and fierce enough in order to have a dragon tattoo on the skin otherwise your luck may be consumed by the dragon.

When looking at the dragon picture or statue, people often see a pearl under the dragon’s chin, the pearl is also known as the flaming pearl, and this is quite a popular design. It is said that the pearl stands for truth, wisdom, or life, and if the dragon loses this pearl, he is left helpless and incapable of action.

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