These are the nine major types of Chinese dragons.
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the horned dragon,
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the winged dragon,
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the celestial dragon (which supports and protects the mansions of the gods),
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the spiritual dragon which generates wind and rain for the benefit of mankind),
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the dragon of hidden treasures (which keeps guard over concealed wealth),
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the coiling dragon (which lives in water),
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and the yellow dragon (which once emerged from water and presented the legendary Emperor Fu Shi with the elements of writing)
The last of the nine is the dragon king, which actually consists of four separate dragons, each of which rules over one of the four seas, those of the east, south, west, and north.
The most powerful generalized type of Chinese dragon is the horned dragon, or lung, which can produce rain and is totally deaf.
Additionally, there is a homeless dragon (Ii) that lives in the ocean and another type (chiao) that is scale-covered and usually inhabits marshes but also keeps dens in the mountains.
There are also nine ways the Chinese have traditionally represented these dragons, each one revealing a different dragon characteristic.
* There are dragons carved on the tops of bells and gongs, because of the beast's habit of calling loudly when attacked.
* A second type is carved on the screws of fiddles, since most dragons are fond of music.
* A third is carved on the tops of stone tablets, because of dragons' love of literature.
* A fourth is found at the bottom of stone monuments, as dragons can support heavy weights.
* A fifth is placed on the eaves of temples, as dragons are ever alert to danger.
* A sixth occurs on the beams of bridges, since dragons are fond of water.
* A seventh is carved on Buddha's throne, as dragons like to rest.
* An eighth is placed on the hilts of swords, since dragons are known to be capable of slaughter.
* The ninth is carved on prison gates, as these are dragons that are fond of quarreling and trouble making.
The colors of Chinese dragons are evidently quite variable, but in the case of the chiao type its back is striped with green, its sides are yellow, and it is crimson underneath.
The nine major characteristics of a lung type dragon include a head like a camel's, horns like a deer's, eyes like a hare's, ears like a bull's, a neck like an iguana's, a belly like a frog's, scales like a carp's, paws like a tiger's, and claws like an eagle's. It has a pair of large canine teeth in its upper jaw
The long, tendril-like whiskers extending from either side of its mouth are probably used for feeling its way along the bottom of muddy ponds. In color it varies from greenish to golden, with a series of alternating short and long spines extending down the back and along the tail, where they become longer.
One specimen had wings at its side, and walked on top of the water. Another tossed its mane back and forth making noises that sounded like a flute. Cow-heads are also common.
A ten-footer, found lying on the banks of China's Yangtze River, was different from most because of its long, thick eyebrows.
A Yellow River variety, seen on shore in the 1920s by a Chinese teacher, was bright blue, and as big as five cows.
Both dragons crawled into the water as soon as it started to rain.
A few dragons begin their life as fish. Carp, who successfully jump rapids and leap over waterfalls, change into fish-dragons. A popular saying, "The carp has leaped through the dragon's gate," means success, especially for students who have passed their exams.
It is also said that in ancient times, male dragons sometimes mate with other kinds of animals.
The eggs are laid next to a river bank and buried deep not to be disturbed by anyone or thing. In 1,000 years the eggs will hatch. In 500 years the baby dragon will be known as a Kias (a scaled dragons) In 1000 more years it will be known as Lung (Proper Dragon) 500 more years known as a Kioh-Lung (horned) in 1000 more years it will be know as a Ying-Lung (Winged Dragon)
Types by purpose
T'ien Lung are keeper of the celestial gardens.
Shen lung Are known as the wealth makers.
Ti lung are known as the earth dragon they control the rivers.
fu-ts'ang lung are the treasure keepers.
The t'ien lung has five claws while the rest have three or four
Other interesting facts
Chinese dragons are said to be afraid of the leaves of the wang plant, the leaves of the lien trees, quintuple colored silk thread, wax, iron, and centipedes.
They are 1 of 4 of the spiritual animals in Ancient China. The other are phoenix, unicorn and the tortoise.
