Baxter–Sagart (2014). qʰˤraʔ. Zodiac tiger, showing the hǔ (虎) character for tiger. The Tiger ( 虎) is the third of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Tiger is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol Tigres Dientes de Sable Jaguar Maya Zapatiztaz. In the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac signs, the dragon is the fifth one, a symbol of strength, majesty, and nobility. The Year of the Dragon comes once every twelve years. The Year of the Black Dragon is special as it comes every 60 years, bringing immense power and luck. The period of 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM is the hour of the Dragon.
The year 2012 is the Year of the Dragon and the mythical animal, seen in this 'Hwangnyonggi,' symbolizes power and wealth. |
By Kwon Mee-yoo, Noh Hyun-gi
The animal has a head resembling a camel, eyes of a rabbit, the nose of a pig, ears like an ox, antlers similar to a buck, a snake-like neck, fists as fierce as those of a tiger, the sharp talons of a hawk and scales no different from a carp. There are long whiskers decorating the mouth and a bump in the middle of the head, which allow the animal to fly in the air. In this manner the mythical dragon creature is described in “Boncho Gangmok” (Classified Records of Chinese Medical Botany) originally published in 1596.
Ahead, the year 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, or the Year of Im-jin, according to Chinese astrology, when good fortune is expected to kick off and ascend into the sky as dragons do.
Year of the Black Dragon
The dragon is the fifth sign and the only fanciful animal in the Chinese zodiac. “The dragon is a cultural being, not a biological animal. It is the most prestigious being with ultimate authority,” said Cheon Jin-gi, director general of the National Folk Museum. “Though mythical, the dragon is a familiar animal. There is a saying that people can draw a dragon even though they have never seen a dragon, but they cannot draw a snake even after having seen one.”
Among the cyclical years of the zodiac, the year 2012 is the Year of the Black Dragon, as “im” means black and “jin” means dragon according to Korean “Ganji” system, or the sexagenary cycle. The system is a combination of the 12 zodiac animals and the five traditional colors — blue, red, yellow, white and black.
The Year of the Dragon comes every 12 years, but the Black Dragon arrives every 60 years, making 2012 even more special. The birth rate is expected to rise next year, as many married couples will want their baby to be born under the energy of the dignified, powerful black dragon.
Dragons in Korean culture
The dragon represents power, dignity and majesty. During the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), only kings could use the dragon in the palace as his symbol. They wore “gollyongpo,” or a dragon robe, drank from bottles with dragon images and carried “Hwangnyonggi,” or the yellow dragon flag, when they inspected the army. “Yongsang,” or the throne, was decorated with dragon reliefs.
The mythical animal was also popular among commoners as a symbol of power, especially associated with water. In seaside regions, people held “Yongwang-gut,” a shamanistic ritual honoring the dragon king that lived in the sea and was in charge of water and rain. They also offer “eobuseum,” or cooked rice wrapped in white paper,” to the dragon king on the day of the first full moon of the year, wishing for good luck throughout the upcoming year.
Since the dragon is considered a sacred animal from legends, people always want to see the dragon even in their dreams. D￢ reams featuring dragons are considered auspicious. Especially for dreams foreshadowing the conception of a baby, the dragon was reckoned the best.
In religion, the dragon is one of the dharma in Buddhism, appearing in various places in temples and acts as protector.
Traits of ‘dragon people’
Considered outgoing and active, “dragon people,” or those born in the Year of the Dragon, love nature, traveling and have silver tongue.
Full of vitality and vigor, they tend to advance constantly. On the flipside they are also considered egocentric, capricious and reckless. As assertive individuals they are perfectionists with high standards. They do not look back once they set a goal and do not tell lies because of their righteous nature.
Their straightforward, outspoken characteristics are both merits and demerits, but the people born under the Dragon sign sparkle and they illuminate all the people in their midst.
Celebrities born in Dragon Year
This past year seasoned actor Han Seok-gyu, born on Nov. 3 1964, evinced the rebirth of a dragon star in the drama “Tree with Deep Roots” about the creation of “Hangeul,” the Korean alphabet. Han played King Sejong (1397-1450) from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The drama and Han’s performance in it were both highly acclaimed. Many predict that Han will win the grand prize at the 2011 SBS Drama Award today.
“Tree with Deep Roots” was Han’s glorious comeback to the small screen after 16 years and marks the end of an almost eight-year slump. The veteran actor actually started his career as a voice actor at KBS in 1990. He then started acting at MBC the following year. He made his mark most significantly with “Swiri (1999),” Korea’s first blockbuster film about the volatile two Koreas and a tragic love between secret agents. He also made other hit movies such as “No. 3 (1997)” and “Christmas in August (1998).” Currently, Han is cast in the upcoming spy movie, “Berlin,” with Jun Ji-hyun and Ha Jung-woo.
Actor Yoo Ji-tae, another dragon star, born in 1976, brought good news to the public; he wed model and actress Kim Hyo-jin, his sweetheart of five years, on Dec. 7. The couple met while shooting a fashion advertisement in 2003 and started dating in 2006. Yoo expressed his plans to marry Kim when he appeared on the MBC talk show, “Golden Fishery” in March last year.
A group of male stars born in 1976, members of the “Dragon Year Club” have been known for their tight friendship. The members include singers Kim Jong-kook, Jo Sung-mo, Hong Kyung-min and actors Jang Hyuk and Cha Tae-hyun. Yoo Seung-jun, a former Korean singer who was practically ousted from Korea after he obtained American citizenship to evade military service in 2002, was once a member as well.
Adolescent dragons born in 1988 are forging their path as K-pop idols. 2PM’s Nichkhun had a great year with the advance of K-pop worldwide. He even appeared on a popular reality show, “Just Married,” with Vitoria from girl group f(x), to much favorable feedback from many fans. This is also true for Park Gyu-ri from Kara; enjoying extreme success in Japan, Park is playing the role of movie-turned-musical “200-Pound Beauty” in the neighboring country and here in Korea. Most of all hordes of fans anticipate the return of Big Bang and its dragon members, Tae-yang and G-dragon.
Black Dragon Chinese Zodiac Signs
Sometimes, Chinese dragons seem to be everywhere. We see these symbols in sports, on clothing, in books, and in movies. Some people even have dragon tattoos.
You’ve seen dragon iconography, but have you considered where dragons originate or what they symbolize? How much do you know about the many types of Chinese dragons? Read on to discover more about China’s most famous mythological creatures.
Table of Contents
- The Importance of Dragons in Chinese Culture
- What is the Symbolism Behind Dragon Colors?
A Distinctly Chinese Cultural Tradition
For starters, it’s worth noting that the Chinese dragon, or 龙 (lóng), is very different from the European dragon. For example, while European dragons breath fire, the Chinese dragon typically breaths clouds.
The anatomy of the Chinese dragon is also unique. The head, for instance, often looks like that of a camel while the eyes look like those of a demon. Similarly, the neck looks like that of a snake whereas its paws are those of a tiger. Contrary to what most people assume, the legendary Chinese dragon was usually not vengeful. Ancient Chinese people didn’t usually blame dragons for natural catastrophes and other disasters. Instead, they often saw dragons as benevolent, wise, and powerful.
The Origins of Chinese Dragon Legends
No one knows exactly when legends about dragons first originated, but the symbol dates back to at least 3000 BCE. According to one theory, the legendary Chinese dragon evolved out of ancient totem-worship practices. Ancient people may have created dragons by combining the attributes of several creatures like tigers, snakes, eagles, and carp.
A different theory posits that the Yan emperor (炎帝 Yándì), a legendary Chinese leader from pre-dynastic times, was born of an encounter with a powerful dragon. As a result, Yandi was more powerful than most leaders. He partnered with Emperor Huang Di and together they conquered their enemies, unified China and, according to myth, pioneered Chinese civilization.
As time progressed, many Chinese came to believe that Yandi was one of their ancestors, which by extension meant that they were also the descendants of dragons
Where Do Dragons Live?
In the real world, dragons do not exist (surprise!). In the mythological stories they inhabit, however, dragons reside in a variety of places. The celestial dragon, for example, lives in the sky, while the coiling dragon lives in the sea.
According to ancient Chinese mythology, some dragons live in the sea while others live in the sky.
The Importance of Dragons in Chinese Culture
Dragons are significant in Chinese culture because they’re associated with the following:
Business prosperity
During Chinese New Year, many celebrations start with a dragon dance. The aim of the dance is not just to attract attention but also to ask for a prosperous new business year from the dragon gods.
Good harvest and health
In traditional times, Chinese farmers requested plentiful harvests by making offerings to dragon gods. When drought struck, they did the same in an attempt to encourage a downpour from the heavens. Some people also believed dragons could protect their lands and harvests from flood damage. In addition to Chinese New Year, the dragon is a very significant creature during the Dragon Boat Festival, a Chinese holiday that’s celebrated throughout China in late spring or early summer. During this festival, dragon-shaped boat races are traditionally held.
There are many theories about how the Dragon Boat Festival originated. One theory suggests that in its earliest form, the festival was celebrated to request good health as well as a bountiful harvest from the dragon gods.
Protective tokens
In China, people believe dragons can offer protection to homes and businesses. They’re seen as protective figures that can be printed or engraved on sentimental or valuable objects.
What Do Chinese Dragons Symbolize?
Dragons are powerful creatures in Chinese mythology. They’re associated with the ability to control the seasons, time, and harvests. Generally, they symbolize the following:
Everything male – In traditional Chinese society, men were considered to be physically strong and powerful and were often influential in community matters. Dragons were employed as representations of this relative dominance in traditional society. Masculine traits, thus, were considered physical manifestations of the mythological dragon.
Nobleness – According to Chinese astrology, those born in the Year of the Dragon are more prosperous and noble than others. For example, 1988, 2000, and 2012 are considered dragon years (see our full article on Chinese Zodiac Animals). Many Chinese people consider those born during dragon years to be strong-willed, decisive, and self-confident.
Agricultural life – According to Chinese mythology, dragons control the weather and the seasons. Though most dragons are wingless, male dragons possess the power to fly to the heavens and bring rain, while female dragons control earthly waters like rivers, lakes, seas, and wells.
Good fortune – Some people also believe dragons symbolize fortune and good luck. Thus, people often engrave dragons on utensils and personal items to attract the best life has to offer.
Kindness – In China, dragons are symbols of kindness and warmth. (Remember, the Chinese dragon doesn’t breathe fire as its European counterparts do.) However, there are some exceptions, as we will see below.
Note the faded dragon symbol on the clothing of the Yongle Emperor (1360-1424 CE).
What is the Symbolism Behind Dragon Colors?
Chinese Zodiac Dragon Woman
Chinese dragons are colorful creatures and each color holds unique symbolism. For example, blue and green dragons symbolize nature, health, and tranquility. Some people also associate blue and green dragons with healing, peace, and rest. Other notable dragon colors are:
White Dragon
The white dragon symbolizes purity, just like in the West. However, people sometimes also associate it with death and mourning and see it as a bad omen.
Red Dragon
The red dragon symbolizes good fortune. For this reason, the symbol is popular at weddings and other celebrations to encourage happiness and good luck.
Yellow Dragon
The yellow dragon symbolizes good fortune and power. Some also believe this dragon can control time and seasons. Since it’s the most revered dragon, ancient people often used it as a symbol of empire and the emperor. People also generally associate this dragon with attributes like warmth, wisdom, and wealth.
Black Dragon
Most people associate the black dragon with vengeance. Thus, it’s often linked to catastrophes like storms and floods.
Types of Chinese Dragons
The Chinese tradition includes a variety of different dragon types. Each is surrounded with a wealth of rich symbolism.
- Spiritual Dragon – The spiritual dragon is blue and controls both the rain and the winds. Its job is to ensure that humans benefit from these two elements.
- Winged Dragon – The fact that this dragon has wings is somewhat strange considering that most Chinese dragons are wingless. It is, however, a very significant type of dragon. It symbolizes rain and at times, floods.
- Celestial Dragon – This dragon resides in the sky, where it protects the celestial gods from falling to earth.
- Coiling Dragon – Known to live in the sea, the coiling dragon controls time. While most dragons possess the ability to ascend to the sky, the coiling dragon is restricted to the waters.
- Treasure Dragon – The Chinese believe this dragon can protect hidden treasures like precious metals, money, and personal wealth.
- Underworld Dragon – This dragon controls rivers, streams, and seas. Some believe it’s the feminine version of the spiritual dragon and for this reason, the two can copulate.
- Horned Dragon – The horned dragon is one of the most powerful dragons in the Chinese tradition. Although sometimes depicted as having evil tendencies, it’s also associated with making rain.
- Dragon King – Lastly, the dragon king or dragon god is considered the most powerful of all dragons. He can appear in a variety of shapes and is often depicted as human. He is thought to reign over the seas of China in all four directions (East, West, North, and South).
Many different types of dragons are represented in traditional Chinese culture.
The Legacy Lives On
Dragons may only be mythological creatures, but they are very important to the Chinese people and the impact of this cultural phenomenon is far-reaching.
Black Dragon Chinese Zodiac 2021
Historically, dragons have served as important symbols with a variety of mostly positive meanings. Understanding Chinese dragons brings you one step closer to a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture.