What do Chinese Dragons Symbolize in Ancient China?

Answer 1

The Celestial Chinese Dragon is comparable as the symbol of the Chinese race itself. Chinese around the world, proudly proclaim themselves "Lung Tik Chuan Ren" (Descendents of the Dragon). Dragons are referred to as the divine mythical creature that brings with it ultimate abundance, prosperity and good fortune

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 Chinese Dragon is often seen as the symbol of divine protection and vigilance. It is regarded as the Supreme Being amongst all creatures. It has the ability to live in the seas, fly up the heavens and coiled up in the land in the form of mountains. Being the divine mythical animal, the Dragon can ward off wandering evil spirits, protect the innocent and bestow safety to all that hold his emblem. The Chinese Dragon is look upon as the ultimate symbol of Good Fortune.

Answer 2

One legend has it that six to seven thousand years ago when living conditions were extremely harsh, the early Chinese believed that certain species of animals or plants possessed the power to overcome nature’s fury. Different tribes regarded a particular animal or plant as their totem or common ancestor as well and the tribe’s special guardian able to provide food and avert disaster through omens or signs. At that time there were great numbers of tribes scattered all over China each worshiping its own totem. Among them was a tribe located in Central China on the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, which used the snake as its totem. They called the snake “dragon” and owed their victories in battle to the dragon’s protection. Whenever they conquered another totemic tribe, they added part of that totem to the snake to show that they had annexed another tribe. For example, when they annexed the tribe with a deer totem, the deer’s antlers were added to the head of the snake.

In that way, the dragon finally became the creature of Nine Resemblances: Head of a camel, horns of a deer, eyes of a hare, ears of a bull, neck of a snake, belly of a clam, scales of a carp, claws of an eagle, and paws of a tiger. Additional descriptions added whiskers on each side of its mouth, the voice of a copper gong, lethal scales which were reversed under the throat and extended out 12 inches. A later scholar described this dragon of nine resemblances as having nine rows of nine scales or 81 scales. Nine is an important and lucky number in China. A large white pearl, often shown in the dragon’s claws or jaws, was his most precious possession. It gives off a radiant light which never fades and was the source of his power.

http://www.primarysource.org/resources/tcu_botsford/part1.htm

Answer 3

Most of the time they signify wisdom of old age and experience. They also symbolize strength but with the wisdom of when to use it.

Answer 4

Wealth and Power

Answer 5

dragons rock!

Answer 6

This DICK