Of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon, or loongis the just one that does not exist in the real life. Its addition highlights the wonderful animal’s status in Chinese culture, yet couple of may be familiar with its more magnificent qualities.
In ancient Chinese folklore, the dragon was an effective rainmaker. Throughout the Han dynasty (202 B.C.– 220 A.D.), individuals made clay dragons to utilize in routines to wish rains. Gradually, these regional customizeds combined with the Buddhist idea of the Dragon King, who individuals started to praise as the God of Water, changing the previous divine being Hebo, Lord of the Yellow River.
Commemorating the Dragon King entered into the spiritual events led by rulers in the Tang dynasty (618– 907), with the practice rapidly spreading out through the Central Plains.
According to legend, the Dragon King guidelines over all animals in the sea, commanding armies of shrimps and crabs, and manages the weather condition on land. Rather than a single divine being, he is a legion. Wherever there is water– be it a lake, river, sea, or spring– there lives a Dragon King. The most popular amongst them are the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, who appear in the Chinese classic “Journey to the West” as Ao Guang of the East Sea, Ao Qin of the South Sea, Ao Shun of the North Sea, and Ao Run of the West Sea.
In seaside locations, anglers will use sacrifices to the Dragon King as they hope to increase their haul. Farmers toiling inland will do the very same in the hope he will bring rain throughout the planting season, guaranteeing an excellent harvest.
Some have unique tasks, such as the Golden Dragon King, the protector of ships, who is worshipped mainly in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and along the north-to-south Grand Canal. In folklore, this god was initially an exemplary guy called Xie Xu, who changed into a dragon to avoid a destructive flood when the Yellow River rupture its banks throughout the Southern Song dynasty (1127– 1279).
The main area of the Grand Canal is likewise home to the Water-Dividing Dragon King. He emerged in the Ming dynasty (1368– 1644) throughout a significant job to divert water from the Wen River, now referred to as the Dawen River and situated in modern-day Shandong province, to assist keep the canal’s water level and make sure a consistent transport link. An accomplishment of human engineering, residents thought a god was required to manage day-to-day operations.
Even wells and mountain springs had their own Dragon King. In spite of their little location of jurisdiction, these divine beings were seen by villagers to play an important function in ensuring plentiful and disease-free water products.
Utilizing a printing strategy with wood inscriptions referred to as zhimaancient Chinese artists frequently illustrated the Dragon King in a crown and classy bathrobe, holding an ivory tablet or other artifacts, like that of earthly royalty. His face would be that of a dragon; fanged, mouth agape, with wild looking eyes. Surrounding would be nature spirits, the Buddhist yakshawho support the running of his palace.
In some images, the divine being appears in human kind, looking more like a royal authorities, although he’s often riding a dragon, exposing his legendary status. Other works include him in a snake-like type, with bared teeth and sharp claws, jumping from the waves as he rules over his rule. These zhima prints were burned as sacrifices, hung inside a ship’s cabin, set up in homes, or positioned outdoors wells and water tanks as a prayer for defense.
The spiritual nature that dragons established in ancient folklore highlights the dependence China’s conventional agrarian societies had on water for survival. Even today, belief in the Dragon King withstands, as some continue to pay homage in the hope of summoning rain or guaranteeing safe passage over water.
Translator: Chu Jing Her; editors: Ding Yining and Hao Qibao.
(Header and in-text images: All the images are from the general public domain, gathered and offered by Sheng Wenqiang unless otherwise kept in mind.)