Please note that this paper was structured, and I have removed a good deal of the structure from it. Do not copy this paper. It was written by me after doing research for the Dragons of the East section.
Recently, dragons have become the target of popular clothing brands, styles, and fashion. Popularity has severely decreased the amount of "traditional" artwork. Clothing, in particular, has spread fallacies about Eastern dragons. Often confused with each other, it is important to note that each type of dragon has specific and noticeable differences. In turn, it is interesting to elaborate upon the strange similarity between the two major sub-types of Eastern dragons. These two sub-types are Japanese and the better-known Chinese.
Commonly, people call all Eastern dragons Chinese, simply because they are ignorant to the physical differences between Chinese and Japanese dragons. The most outstanding and distinguishable is that a Chinese dragon has five toes, while a Japanese dragon possesses only three toes. In proportion, Chinese dragons have larger bodies and smaller, more refined heads. Japanese, on the other hand, have smaller, more snake-like bodies and larger, more defined heads.
Still, it is easy to confuse these creatures. Their alienated appearance, to those in the West, and the similarities therein make them almost indistinguishable from each other. Even the differences between female and male dragons are the same. Females tend to have more rounded manes, horns that are thicker at the base, and tails that are more fan-like. Males have shaggier manes, more heavy-set bodies, horns that are thicker at the tips, and tails that are shaped like war clubs.
Both female and male and Chinese and Japanese dragons, however, share the same basic components. In every dragon, there are exactly one hundred and seventeen scales. Out of these scales, eight-one of them are yang and thirty-six of them are yin. This is said to keep the creature in a healthy balance with nature. Each is also made up of different animals, all of which are revered in Chinese and Japanese mythology. Dragons have the head of a camel, eyes of a hare, horns of a deer, ears of a bull, belly of a clam, claws of an eagle, scales of a carp, neck of a snake, and paws of a tiger. All these contribute to the physiology of Eastern dragons.
Though it is seldom depicted in pictures and literature, the dragons of the East are all said to have a huge bump on their head. This bump, ch'ih-muh, enables the dragon to fly. Some carry a po-shan instead. The po-shan is a baton-shaped object that also gives the gift of flight. It is uncertain as to why the dragons are seldom to never depicted with either of these objects.
The life stages of these two dragon types are also similar. At birth, the creature is called a "water snake" with powers beyond its own size. As soon as the dragon turns five hundred, it becomes a Chiao. The Chiao are scaled, meaning they are no longer snake-like in shape nor size. After a thousand years old, it becomes the revered Lung dragon. Lung dragons, while hornless, grow quickly to huge proportions. In this stage, the dragon is almost fully developed. At one thousand five hundred years old, the dragon becomes the revered Kioh-lung, or horned dragon. Horned dragons are commonly depicted in both Japanese and Chinese art. Finally, from two thousand years old and beyond, the dragon becomes the Ying-lung, the most revered dragons of all. They have wings and are the least commonly shown dragons. In ancient history, these dragons were only to be worn by the emperor, and any peasant who wore one was put to death.
Though the life stages and general appearance are considered to be universal, there are several contradictions to the "rules" of dragon physiology. Many dragons began as different animals, even humans, and were transformed later in life. Such is the story of the young and beautiful Kiyo, who fell in love with a priest. Soon after the infatuation died, he left her. Kiyo studied to be like a dragon through mortal and immortal means. These transformed beings contributed to the multiple sub-types of both Chinese and Japanese.
Japanese forms are said to be evolved from either other dragons that were blessed by the Dragon King or other creatures that evolved into their own form of dragon. Sui-Riu created weather and were mainly in charge of rain. Rightly, the Japanese refer to them as "the rain dragons". The Han-Riu, which are also noted for their multiple-stripes, could never reach heaven. Tales also include the Ri-Riu, or dragons with exceptional eyesight. Ka-Riu, the fiery red serpents, are only seven feet long. Still, their powers are beyond most of their kins'. The dragons of luck, Fuku Riu, are a common charm in Japanese homes. Finally, the Japanese speak of the most evolved from of the dragon, even higher than the Ying-lung. This is a "dragon bird", or Hai-riyo.
Chinese dragon sub-types are much more varied than those of Japan. Pa snakes, perhaps, are the most interesting of them all. They are huge serpent-like dragons that eat elephants. After a three-year digestion period, they spit out the bones and palates of the elephant, much as an owl would to the mouse. Much like the Japanese Hai-riyo, the Chinese have the P'eng-niao. P'eng-niao are not exactly dragons, but rather a strange semi-dragon bird. They are revered along with dragons as rainmakers. P'an-lung dragons can not fly, perhaps due to past deeds that were unsatisfactory to the Dragon King or Fei-lian, the dragon god of the wind. Ch'i-lung, or hornless dragons, are tri-colored with red, green, and white. Finally, there are the Pi-his, dragons that evolve from tortoises. These dragons retain a few of their turtle-like quality.
Another notable difference of Chinese and Japanese sub-types is their disposition toward humans. Chinese, though deadly sometimes, were benevolent, loving, and true. Japanese are more like the common Western dragons: evil, obscure, and dangerous. Even though the Chinese needed sacrifices, they were mainly of wheat and foods, while the Japanese demanded young virgins for their feast. This monstrous serpent, Yofune-Nushi, lived in cave under the rocks of Oki Island and could cause storms. Yofune-Nushi demanded a young virgin every year on the same day or he would destroy the shipyard. The only Chinese dragon that even comes close to this is the Dragon King, who controlled the tidal flow and, thus, the possibility of floods. Still, Chinese dragons were more peaceful then they were troublesome, and they were placated as long as proper sacrifices were given.
No matter where the dragon originated from or from what creature the dragon evolved from, one thing remains almost completely universal: dragon colors. There are five basic colors (and many tones therein) that atone to the dragon's attitude, symbolism, and ability. White is a symbol of the South and a sign of death, most probably because white is the Chinese color of mourning. Black is a symbol of the North, and storms are caused by them battling at night. Red is similar to black, and they are the symbol of the West. Blue dragons are a symbol of the East, and they are the sign of the coming spring. The only dragon without a symbol, the Yellow or Golden dragon, is said to appear at the perfect time and place in both art and life. Out of all the dragons, the golden are the most revered and well known.
The thoroughly fascinating nature of these dragons comes from their age. Since pre-history, the tales of dragons such as the Blue Dragon, the Dragon King, Ryu, and Uwibami have been told. Since the dawn of history, man has told tales of great men and great beast and great gods. Dragons were revered as gods in the past, and now they are thought of as the most magnificent and dynamic part of Chinese and Japanese mythology.
Jade stones were carved in the likeness of dragons since pre-4000 BC. This leads to the artwork and passion that the dragons still have to day. For instance, the Nine Dragon wall, built in the mid-1700s, holds the nine sacred dragons of the orient. Along with them, six hundred and thirty-five other smaller dragons are carved on this wall.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 10 August 2008