Almost every sculpture you see of a dragon has it holding a ball in one of its front paws. The only reason I can think of is it symbolizes the hold the mythological dragon had over the earth. Anyone know the true reason?
2007-07-24 02:54:23 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Sculpture
The ball is believed to represent the union of Heaven and Earth, or the totality of Buddhist law
See para on Symbolism at:
http://www.sculpturedstone.com/articles/chinese_lions.htm
From another source, a dragon sometimes has a ball under his paw, meaning power over the world
http://www.globalthinking.com/china/journal/Beijing_History_Museum.htm
2007-07-24 04:08:34 · answer #1 · answered by angela l 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Dragon Holding Orb
2016-10-20 07:04:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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The Chinese dragon is a mythical Chinese creature that also appears in other East Asian cultures, and is also sometimes called the Oriental (or Eastern) dragon. Depicted as a long, scaled, snake-like creature with four claws, in contrast to the Western dragon which stands on four legs and which is usually portrayed as evil, it has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art. The Chinese dragon is traditionally also the embodiment of the concept of yang (male) and associated with the weather as the bringer of rain and water in an agriculturally water-driven nation. Its female counterpart is the Fenghuang. The Chinese New Year Dragon has a colorful history. The emblem of guardianship and vigilance, it was consecrated in the earliest religion of the Chinese people. In ancient days the dragon was regarded as a most sacred animal, and used to be the imperial emblem of Chinese emperors. It is the first of the four Divine Creatures to Chinese-the others being the unicorn, the phoenix and the tortoise. Unlike the evil dragon the West, the Chinese Dragon is a beneficent and gracious creature and is worshipped as the divine ruler of Lakes, Rivers and Seas. It is the powerful yet gentle ‘Loong" that brings rain to the earth, hasten the crops and cools the toiling framer. It is one of the most popular of Chinese art motifs, being sculptured on stone pillars of Chinese temples and embroidered on beautiful gold and silk tapestries. As imagined by the Chinese, the dragon has the head of a camel, the horns of a deer, fiery eyes and a long beard. Its ears are like those of a cow, its paws like the tiger’s and its claws sharp like an eagle’s. Its neck is serpentine; it has the belly of a frog and the scales of a carp. The Dragon first appeared in the sky, legend tells us, while an heir to the throne was born, and the country was blessed with peace and prosperity for many generation thereafter. Thus, the Dragon also served as a symbol of good fortune. In parade appearance, the dragon performs its gyrations in pursuits of a costumed figure who holds aloft a pole with a ball on the end called the "Precious Pearl." The creature’s movement and tempo are controlled by this leader who manipulated the "pearl" according to plan, accompanied by drums and gongs.
2016-04-03 10:55:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The balls likely represent treasure as Dragons have always been treasure hoarders. The only thing dragons love more than breathing fire and wreaking havoc is collecting and protecting their treasure.
2007-07-24 03:02:37 · answer #4 · answered by frenzy_2k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you refering to dragons in chinese art? Usually these obs which the dragons stand upon or reside next to represent qi, or the life force which is one of the elements of Taoism.
2007-07-24 03:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by wackywallwalker 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Their supposed to be mystical orbs representing the magical powers of the dragons.
2007-07-24 03:05:26 · answer #6 · answered by thomas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only legend i heard of was the dragon was the creator to change him self in the clouds to any thing check Chinese dragon
2016-03-19 07:37:29 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They must be male dragons....hehehehe. Sorry, I think it represents the future and what you said.
2007-07-24 02:57:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
ur right is they are male and female maybe symbolize eggs
2007-07-24 03:14:09 · answer #9 · answered by Pepsicool 93 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋