Dragons hold a significant place in Chinese mythology, folklore, and culture. They are considered highly auspicious creatures and have been revered for thousands of years. Unlike the Western perception of dragons as fire-breathing and malevolent creatures, Chinese dragons are benevolent, powerful, and associated with positive qualities.

Here are some key aspects of dragons in Chinese mythology:

1. Symbolism: Dragons represent power, strength, good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. They are often associated with water and are believed to have control over rain, rivers, and seas. Chinese emperors considered themselves descendants of dragons, and the dragon became a symbol of imperial authority.
2. Physical Appearance: Chinese dragons typically have a long serpentine body with four legs, although some may have fewer or none. Unlike Western dragons, they lack wings. Their appearance is often a composite of various animals, including the head of a camel, the horns of a deer, the eyes of a rabbit, the body of a snake, and the scales of a fish.
3. Colors: Chinese dragons are usually depicted in different colors, each with its own symbolic meaning. The most common colors are yellow, which represents the emperor and royalty, and azure or green, which is associated with the east and spring.
4. Celestial Dragons: Chinese mythology differentiates between different types of dragons, one of which is the celestial dragon (Tianlong). These dragons guard the heavens and assist the gods in their tasks.
5. Earth Dragons: Another type of dragon is the earth dragon (Dilong), which is associated with earthly elements and is believed to live in rivers, lakes, and underground bodies of water.
6. Dragon Kings: Chinese mythology features four dragon kings, each ruling over one of the four seas: the East Sea, the West Sea, the South Sea, and the North Sea. They are powerful and influential deities who control the waters and weather in their respective domains.
7. Dragon Dance and Dragon Boat Festival: Dragon dances and dragon boat races are popular traditional activities in Chinese culture, especially during festivals like the Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival. These activities are believed to bring good luck and blessings.

The library has many books about dragons in Chinese mythology for you to check out:

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

This beautifully illustrated children’s book weaves various Chinese myths and legends, including those involving dragons, into a captivating narrative.

Nian, The Chinese New Year Dragon by Virginia Loh-Hagan

This picture book is an illustrated retelling of a Chinese folktale about a dragon that threatens a village each spring, and a young girl named Mei is destined to defeat him!