Editing Chinese dragon (section)

=== In mythology ===

From its origins as totems or the stylized depiction of natural creatures, the Chinese dragon evolved to become a mythical animal. The Han dynasty scholar [[Wang Fu (philosopher)|Wang Fu]] recorded Chinese myths that ''long'' dragons had nine anatomical resemblances.<blockquote>The people paint the dragon's shape with a horse's head and a snake's tail. Further, there are expressions such as 'three joints' and 'nine resemblances' (of the dragon), to wit: from head to shoulder, from shoulder to breast, and from breast to tail. These are the joints; as to the nine resemblances, they are the following: his antlers resemble those of a stag, his head that of a camel, his eyes those of a demon, his neck that of a snake, his belly that of a clam ([[shen (clam-monster)|''shen'']], {{lang|zh|蜃}}), his scales those of a carp, his claws those of an eagle, his soles those of a tiger, his ears those of a cow. Upon his head, he has a thing like a broad eminence (a big lump), called &#91;''chimu''&#93; ({{lang|zh|尺木}}). If a dragon has no &#91;''chimu''&#93;, he cannot ascend to the sky.{{sfn|Visser|1913|p=70}}</blockquote>

Further sources give variant lists of the nine animal resemblances. Sinologist {{interlanguage link|Henri Doré|fr}} lists these characteristics of an authentic dragon: "The antlers of a deer. The head of a crocodile. A demon's eyes. The neck of a snake. A tortoise's viscera. A hawk's claws. The palms of a tiger. A cow's ears. And it hears through its horns, its ears being deprived of all power of hearing". He notes that, "Others state it has a rabbit's eyes, a frog's belly, a carp's scales".{{sfn|Doré|1917|p=681}}

[[File:Guimet porcelana china 02.JPG|thumb|upright=0.8|Yellow dragon on a black vase, Yuan dynasty]]
Chinese dragons were considered to be physically concise. Of the 117 scales, 81 are of the yang essence (positive) while 36 are of the yin essence (negative). Initially, the dragon was benevolent, wise, and just, but the Buddhists introduced the concept of malevolent influence among some dragons. Just as water destroys, they said, so can some dragons destroy via floods, tidal waves, and storms. They suggested that some of the worst floods were believed to have been the result of a mortal upsetting a dragon.

Many pictures of Chinese dragons show a [[Eight Treasures|flaming pearl]] under their chin or in their claws. The pearl is associated with spiritual energy, wisdom, prosperity, power, immortality, thunder, or the moon. Chinese art often depicts a pair of dragons chasing or fighting over a flaming pearl.

Chinese dragons are occasionally depicted with bat-like wings growing out of the front limbs, but most do not have wings, as their ability to fly (and control rain/water, etc.) is mystical and not seen as a result of their physical attributes.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Even without wings the Chinese dragons can supposedly ascend to the sky and fly. According to legend, the dragon's flight is enabled by something on its head named ''chimu'' (Wade-Giles: ''ch'ih-mu'', {{lang|zh|尺木}}, lit. 'foot-long wood/tree'{{efn|Or "a tree one foot in diameter" according to Mather.}}) that resembled the ''boshan'' (Wade-Giles: ''Po-shan'', incense burner,<ref name="tseng1957"/> i.e. ''boshanlu'' or "[[Hill censer]]"), without which the dragon cannot fly.<ref name="BCGM-tr-unschuld"/><ref name="mather2022"/> This piece of lore attested in the Tang dynasty tract ''[[Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang|Youyang zazu]]''.{{Refn|Yu-yang tsa-tsu 17.1a): " 龍頭上有一物如博山形, 名尺木,龍無尺木不能升天" cited by Mather<ref name="mather2022"/>}}

[[File:Kesi fragment with dragon design on purple ground, China, Yuan dynasty, 1200s-1300s AD, textile - Tokyo National Museum - Tokyo, Japan - DSC08441.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Textile with dragon design, Yuan dynasty]]
This description accords with the artistic depictions of the dragon down to the present day. The dragon has also acquired an almost unlimited range of supernatural powers. It is said to be able to disguise itself as a [[Bombyx mori|silkworm]], or become as large as our entire universe. It can fly among the clouds or hide in water (according to the ''Guanzi''). It can form clouds, turn into water, change color as an ability to blend in with their surroundings, and be an effective form of camouflage or glow in the dark (according to the ''[[Shuowen Jiezi]]'').{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In many other countries, folktales speak of the dragon having all the attributes of the other 11 creatures of the zodiac, this includes the [[whiskers]] of the [[Rat (zodiac)|Rat]], the face and horns of the [[Ox (zodiac)|Ox]], the claws and teeth of the [[Tiger (zodiac)|Tiger]], the belly of the [[Rabbit (zodiac)|Rabbit]], the body of the [[Snake (zodiac)|Snake]], the legs of the [[Horse (zodiac)|Horse]], the [[goatee]] of the [[Goat (zodiac)|Goat]], the wit of the [[Monkey (zodiac)|Monkey]], the [[Crest (feathers)|crest]] of the [[Rooster (zodiac)|Rooster]], the ears of the [[Dog (zodiac)|Dog]], and the snout of the [[Pig (zodiac)|Pig]].

In some circles,{{Among whom|date=February 2024}} it is considered bad luck to depict a dragon facing downward, as it is seen as disrespectful to place a dragon in such a manner that it cannot ascend to the sky. Also, depictions of dragons in tattoos are prevalent as they are symbols of strength and power, especially criminal organisations where dragons hold a meaning all on their own. As such, it is believed that one must be fierce and strong enough, hence earning the right to wear the dragon on his skin, lest his luck be consumed by the dragons.{{Citation needed|date=November 2014}}

According to an art historian [[John Boardman (art historian)|John Boardman]], depictions of Chinese Dragon and Indian [[Makara]] might have been influenced by ''[[Cetus (mythology)|Cetus]]'' in [[Greek mythology]] possibly after contact with silk-road images of the ''Kētos'' as Chinese dragon appeared more reptilian and shifted head-shape afterwards.<ref>{{cite book |last=Boardman |first=John |author-link=John Boardman (art historian) |date=2015 |title=The Greeks in Asia |publisher=Thames and Hudson |isbn=978-0-500-25213-0}}</ref>