Eastern Dragons

== **Evolution of the Species:** *the beginning of a race*

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* In Chinese mythology, Dragons are the evolutionary ancestors of humans and all similar living things, and thus is extremely respected in Chinese society.
* Dragons were so highly respected that they inevitable came to represent the Emperor of China. However, there are major differences between Eastern-born conceptions of dragons and Western-born dragons.
* In most Eastern countries, Dragons are highly revered and seen as symbols of wealth, prosperity, beauty, power, and wisdom. They are benevolent and kind, and even with the insurgence of human rebellion against inhuman entities, Chinese dragons face no imminent danger from their homeland.

## **Dance of the Nine Dragons:** *the types and powers of dragons*

* There are nine types of dragons in Chinese lore, each representative of different heavenly purposes and goals. Each dragon has slightly different abilities, however, all dragons have the ability to shape-shift into a human form.
* *Tianlong*, the Celestial Dragons, are the celestial dragons who pull the chariots of the gods and guard their palaces.
* *Shenlong*, the Spiritual Dragons, control the wind and the rain.
* *Fucanglong*, the Dragons of Hidden Treasures, are underworld dragons which guard buried treasures, both natural and man-made.
* *Dilong*, the Underground Dragons, are earth dragons whose task it is to preside over rivers and streams.
* *Yinglong*, the Winged Dragons, are the oldest of all eastern dragons and the only kind with wings. According to the Yuen Kien Lei Han, dragons gain wings after 1,000 years.
* *Qiulong*, the Horned Dragons, are considered to be the mightiest dragons.
* *Panlong*, the Coiling Dragons, are water dragons believed to mostly inhabit the lakes of the Orient.
* *Huanglong*, the Yellow Dragons, once emerged from the River Luo and presented the legendary Emperor Fu Hsi with the elements of writing. They are known for their scholarly knowledge.
* *Lóng Wáng*, the Dragon Kings, are rulers over each of the four seas, those of the east, south, west, and north. They live in crystal palaces guarded by shrimp soldiers and crab generals.

## **Never the Twain Shall Meet:** *eastern and western dragons*

* Unlike western conceptions of Dragons, the Chinese dragon is most heavily associated with water, and thus they have some level of control over the element.
* Physically, the dragon is also dissimilar to the westernized concept of dragons in that they do not have wings: their ability to fly is purely mystical and magically aided.
* They are long and serpentine, with three to five toes. In Japan, they have three toes, in China, they have four, and only five when they are related to the Emperor.
* Whereas Western dragons are typically associated with heat and fire and dwell in places to reflect that, Eastern dragons typically associate with water and thus live in damp and wet places.

## **A Perfect Form:** *the physical attributes of dragons*

* They are said to be a composite of various other animals-the body of a snake, the antlers of a deer, the talons of an eagle, the soles of a tiger, the scales of a carp, and the eyes of a demon.
* Each dragon tends to have one or more physical trait that matches with the Chinese zodiac: this includes the whiskers of the Rat, the face and horns of the Ox, the claws and teeth of the Tiger, the belly of the Rabbit, the body of the Snake, the legs of the Horse, the goatee of the Goat, the wit (or brain) of the Monkey, the crest of the Rooster, the ears of the Dog and the snout of the Pig.
* Overall, their being is extremely physically concise: Of their 117 scales, 81 are of the yang essence (positive) while 36 are of the yin essence (negative). However, there are some dragons that are malevolent spirits, and these are known to cause devastating floors when angered.