Dragons are legendary creatures. They are derived from mythology or folklore. Dragons typically have serpentine or reptilian traits. They are the subject of myth in many cultures. There are two main categories. The first category is the European dragon. The second category is the Chinese dragon.
The Chinese dragons are typically long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs. The Chinese dragons are not considered evil like the European dragon. The Chinese dragon symbolize potent and auspicious power. In Yin and Yang, Yang is the male dragon and Yin is the female Chinese phoenix. The Dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China.
The origins of the Chinese dragon are not certain. The Chinese dragon evolved to become a mythical animals. They are physically concise. There are a total of 117 Scales. 81 scales are yang, positive. 36 scales are yin, negative. The pearl under the Chinese dragons chin is associated with wealth, good luck, and prosperity. Most Chinese dragons do not have wings. The wings that are on some Chinese dragons are bat-like growing out of the front limbs. The Chinese dragons do not need wings because their ability to fly are mystical and not part of their physical appearance. The Chinese dragon has acquired an almost unlimited range of supernatural power.
The Chinese dragon is associated with water. They are the rulers of moving bodies of water. There are four major dragon kings. The four Dragon Kings represent the North Sea (Lake Baihal), South Sea (South China Sea), East Sea (East China Sea) and the West Sea (Indian Ocean). They are in control of water related weather.
The first Ming Emperor decreed that the dragon would be his emblem. The Ming Emperor's Dragon would have five claws. The four-clawed dragons were for imperial nobility and high ranking officials. The three-clawed dragon was used by lower ranks and the general public. The completely gold-colored, five-clawed dragon was only for the Emperor. It was a capital offence to use the gold five clawed dragon. If the claw number and/or color was used improperly, it was considered treason. The punishment for this treason was the execution of the offender's entire clan. The five toe rule was enforced in 1336 AD
The number nine is the largest possible digit. The Chinese dragon is connected to the number nine. The Chinese dragon is described in terms of nine attributes. The nine attributes are the eye of a demon, the head of a camel, the ears of a cow, the neck of a snake, the horns of an antelope, the feet of a tiger, the stomach of a shellfish, the scales of a fish, and the claws of an eagle. There are nine major types of oriental dragons. They are:
Dilong - Earth Dragon
Horned - the most powerful Chinese dragon
Winged - the oldest of all dragons - Yinglong
Tianlong - Celestial dragon
Shenlong - Spiritual
Dragon of Hidden Treasures
Coiling - Inhabits oriental lakes
Yellow - Huanglong
Dragon King - representing the 4 seas
The "Nine Dragon Wall" (found in imperial Palaces and gardens) is a screen wall with images of nine different dragons. There are 635 dragons on the "Nine Dragon Wall" including 9 large dragons. The Chinese dragon unlike the evil European dragon symbolizes potent and auspicious power.
