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. Additionally, there is a homeless 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.

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There are also nine ways the Chinese have traditionally represented these dragons, each one revealing a different dragon characteristic.

There are dragons carved on the tops of bells and gongs, because of the beast's habit of calling loudly when attacked.

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A Second type is carved on the screws of fiddles, since most dragons are fond of music.

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A Third is carved on the tops of stone tablets, because of dragons' love of literature.

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A Fourth is found at the bottom of stone monuments, as dragons can support heavy weights.

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A Fifth is placed on the eaves of temples, as dragons are ever alert to danger.

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A Sixth occurs on the beams of bridges, since dragons are fond of water.

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A Seventh is carved on Buddha's throne, as dragons like to rest.

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An Eighth is placed on the hilts of swords, since dragons are known to be capable of slaughter.

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The Ninth is carved on prison gates, as these are dragons that are fond of quarreling and trouble making.