Azure Dragons, also known as Qinglong or Blue Dragons, hold a significant place in Chinese mythology and legends and are revered as one of the four celestial creatures, along with the Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise representing the element of wood, the Azure Dragons are associated with the east and the spring seasons.
Mythology[]
In Chinese mythology, the Azure Dragon is often depicted as a powerful and benevolent creature and is believed to have a long, scaled body resembling that of a snake, along with the head of a dragon. Its scales shimmer in various shades of blue, representing its connection to the heavens and water.
One of the most famous legends involving the Azure Dragon is the story of the Dragon Gate. According to the legend, carp that were able to swim upstream and leap up the Dragon Gate waterfall would be transformed into dragons symbolizing the idea of perseverance and the possibility of achieving greatness.
Another popular tale involving Azure Dragons is the story of the Dragon Kings and is believed that there are four Dragon Kings, each ruling over a different body of water: the East Sea, the South Sea, the West Sea, and the North Sea.
The Azure Dragon is regarded as the ruler of the East Sea and is considered the most powerful among the Dragon Kings and they are all often depicted riding on the backs of dragons and controlling the weather and the tides.
Azure Dragons are also closely associated with the concept of feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing individuals with their environment in this technique the Azure Dragon is considered one of the four celestial guardians and is associated with protection, wealth, and good fortune.
Statues or images of the Azure Dragon are often placed in strategic locations to enhance positive energy flow and bring blessings to the occupants.
Furthermore, the Azure Dragons are frequently depicted in Chinese art, architecture, and literature and are often portrayed in vibrant blue hues, symbolizing their connection to the sky and water.
In art, they are shown coiling and soaring through the clouds, embodying grace and power Azure Dragons are also featured in many traditional dragon dances and celebrations, particularly during the Chinese New Year, where they are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity for the upcoming year.
The Azure Dragons play a significant role in Chinese mythology and cultural symbolism and are revered for their strength, wisdom, and auspicious qualities, symbolizing the harmony between heaven and earth.
Through their legends and representations, they inspire people to embrace perseverance, seek prosperity, and maintain a harmonious relationship with their surroundings.
Each one of them represents a direction and a season of the year, and each has its characteristics and origins and has been portrayed in many historical Chinese myths and fiction, and also appears in many modern Japanese comic books and animation.
These Four Symbols were given human names after Daoism became popular. The Azure Dragon has the name Meng Zhang 孟章; the Vermilion Bird is Ling Guang 陵光; the White Tiger is Jian Bing 監兵; the Black Tortoise is Zhi Ming 執明.
Additionally, there is a fifth legendary beast, Huáng-lóng (黃龍), or the Yellow Dragon of the Center. The cardinal direction associated with this animal is "center," and its element is Earth.
It is sometimes called the Azure Dragon of the East (traditional Chinese: 東方青龍; simplified Chinese: 东方青龙; pinyin: Dōng Fāng Qīng Lóng), and it represents the east and the spring season. It should not be confused with the mythological yellow dragon that is associated with the Emperor of China.
The Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon[]
Like the other Four Symbols, the Azure Dragon corresponds to seven "mansions", or positions, of the moon.*Horn (Chinese: 角; pinyin: Jiăo)
- Neck (Chinese: 亢; pinyin: Kàng)
- Root (Chinese: 氐; pinyin: Dĭ)
- Room (Chinese: 房; pinyin: Fáng)
- Heart (Chinese: 心; pinyin: Xīn)
- Tail (Chinese: 尾; pinyin: Wěi)
- Winnowing Basket (Chinese: 箕; pinyin: Jī)
Azure Dragon in different languages[]
The Chinese constellations were not only used by Chinese cartographers, but they were also used by Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese cartographers as well.*Standard Mandarin: Qīng Lóng / 青龍
- Japanese: Seiryū
- Korean: Cheong-long / 청룡
- Vietnamese: Thanh Long / 青龍
In China[]
In the Book of Tang, the reincarnation of White Tiger's Star is said to be Li Shimin's general Luo Cheng (羅 成) and the reincarnation of Azure Dragon's Star is said to be the rebellious general Shan Xiongxin (單 雄信). They two are sworn brothers of Qin Shubao (秦 叔寶), Cheng Zhijie (程 知節) and Yuchi Jingde (尉遲 敬德). Their souls after death are said to possess the body of the new heroes of Tang Dynasty and Liao Dynasty, Xue Rengui (薛 仁貴) and He Suwen (郃 苏文).
In some legends of the Tang Dynasty's general Xue Rengui, he's said the reincarnation of the White Tiger's Star. And his archenemy, Liao Dynasty's prince He Suwen is the reincarnation of the Azure Dragon's Star.
In Japan[]
In Japan, the Azure Dragon (Seiryuu) is one of the four guardian spirits of cities and is said to protect the city of Kyoto on the east. The west is protected by the White Tiger, the north is protected by the Black Tortoise, and the south is protected by the Vermilion Bird.
In Kyoto, there are temples dedicated to each of these guardian spirits. The Azure Dragon is represented in the Kiyomizu Temple in eastern Kyoto.
Before the entrance of the temple, there is a statue of the dragon which is said to drink from the waterfall within the temple complex at nighttime. Therefore each year a ceremony is held to worship the dragon of the East.
In 1983, the Kitora Tomb was found in the village of Asuka. All four guardians were painted on the walls (in the corresponding directions) and a system of the constellations was painted on the ceiling. This is one of the only ancient records of the four guardians.