Chinese dragon
The Azure Dragon depicted on the flag of the Qing dynasty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Creature information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grouping | Mythical creature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub grouping | Dragon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Folklore | Chinese mythology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 龍 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 龙 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chinese dragon or loong (/lʊŋ/ LUUNG) is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture generally. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms, such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. Academicians have identified four reliable theories on the origin of the Chinese dragon: snakes, Chinese alligators, thunder worship and nature worship. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water and weather.