The dragon is a miraculous creature that lives in the sea in ancient myths and legends in China and other East Asian regions. It is the leader of scale insects. It is responsible for moving clouds and making rain. It is the master of wind and rain. It is often used to symbolize auspiciousness.
The most basic characteristic of the image of the dragon is its "nine resemblance". There is still controversy over which nine animals it is. Most of the legends say that it can appear or hide, can be thin or large, can be short or long. The vernal equinox ascends to the sky, the autumnal equinox dives into the abyss, and controls the wind and rain. These images of dragons that have been developed in late stages are more complex than the original dragons.
Dong Yu, a painter of the Song Dynasty, believed that the dragon had "antlers like a deer, a head like a cow, eyes like a shrimp, a mouth like a donkey, a belly like a snake, scales like a fish, feet like a phoenix, whiskers like a human, and ears like a "Image." This is a more recognized statement in the 21st century.
Extended information:
As a totem, the dragon is different from ordinary totems. It is not a single animal but a collection of multiple animals. This prominently reflects the greatness of the Chinese nation. spirit and mind. The earliest gods in ancient mythology were not humans, but animals - totems.
Primitive people cannot distinguish between humans and animals, and believe that certain animals are their ancestors and protectors. This is a totem. Totems, as the ancestors and symbols of clans and tribes, are usually a single animal. When clans and tribes engage in annexation wars, the victor often destroys their totems after capturing the other party. The newly formed tribe still has a single totem.