17 Types of Chinese Dragons in Mythology (with names)

What Do Chinese Dragons Look Like?

Before exploring the many types of dragons in Chinese mythology, this article answers the question, “What does a Chinese dragon look like?“.

Unlike the winged and fire-breathing dragons of Western mythology, Chinese dragon is a sacred hybrid, combining a serpentine body, beast-like head, bird-like claws, and fish-like scales.

This image embodies artistic imagination and reflects ancient people’s profound understanding of cosmic order, power structures, and notions of fortune and misfortune.

In the Han dynasty, a more unified image of the dragon emerged. This “standard dragon form” reflected the belief that the dragon gathers the spiritual essence of all things under heaven and earth. Over time, it became one of the most sacred symbols in Chinese culture.

According to the Erya, Shuowen Jiezi, and Song Shi – Yuyi Zhi, the traditional Chinese dragon typically displays these features:

Body Parts of the Chinese Dragon and Their Symbolic Meanings

Head Features

Dragon Forehead: Hump-like bulge, enhancing majesty and symbolizing imperial destiny and commanding power

Dragon Horns: Branched like deer antlers, symbolizing nobility and longevity; a key trait of a “true dragon”

Dragon Eyes: Bright like rabbit eyes with golden pupils and fire inside, symbolizing wisdom and alertness

Dragon Ears: Thick like ox ears, symbolizing the ability to hear the people and understand them

Mouth: Upturned like a horse’s mouth, able to breathe mist and spit pearls, symbolizing bestowing rain and blessings

Whiskers: Hanging like a human beard, symbolizing the understanding of human speech and a sage-like aura

Body Features

Dragon Neck: Snake-like and flexible, representing adaptability and strategic restraint

Belly: Smooth like a shèn (sea monster) belly, symbolizing mystery and unpredictability

Scales: Covered with fish-like scales, traditionally “81 yang scales + 36 yin scales”, symbolizing invincibility against water, fire, and magic

Back: Spine raised like a sword, symbolizing strength, power, and battle prowess

Limbs and Claws

Palms: Thick like tiger paws, steady and strong, symbolizing dominion over the earth

Claws: Sharp like eagle talons, symbolizing control over the three realms

Toes: Five toes: symbol of imperial power; Four toes: for high-ranking deities; Three toes: common in lesser dragon types

Tail Features

Tail: Long and snake-like, agile and changeable, symbolizing ascension and transformation

In the following chapters, we will analyse the functions and characteristics of various divine dragons and gradually unveil the complete system of dragons.

Official System of Chinese Dragon Deities

This category of dragons represents the “orthodox divine dragons,” which possess both divine status and official authority. They either arise from the natural forces of heaven and earth, relate to celestial phenomena and the Five Elements (wuxing)¹, or are canonized by Daoist² traditions and imperial decrees. These dragons control rivers, seas, winds, rains, mountains, and the five directions (East, South, West, North, and Center). They are the most authoritative representatives of dragons in Chinese mythology.

These dragons frequently appear in state rituals and Daoist pantheons. People pray to and worship them as divine beings. They embody sacred order and cosmic balance, bridging the human realm with the forces of nature.

The following table outlines the most representative dragon deities.

Dragon-related Creature System

Specifically, the Dragon-Related Creature System refers to semi-divine beings whose form and power closely resemble those of true dragons but have not yet attained full divine status or Divine Rank.

These creatures are often viewed as ‘wild’ entities in the mythological ecosystem. They live in natural environments like rivers, lakes, seas, forests, mountains, and caves. Although they possess a spiritual essence, they have not yet secured a stable position in the divine hierarchy. Their abilities remain limited, usually tied to one specific element or natural domain.

As transitional forms in the cultivation and ascension process of dragons, these beings embody chaos, mutation, and untapped potential within the natural world. They play an essential role in the broader “Dragon Evolution System,” representing the intermediate stage between nature-born spirits and fully sanctified divine dragons.

Legend of the Nine Dragon Sons

The legend of the ‘Nine Sons of the Dragon’ belongs to a derivative branch of the Dragon-related Creature System. It describes the offspring of dragons and other animals, such as Qiuniu, Yazi, and Bi’an. Despite inheriting a dragon’s lineage, it lacks the complete form of a dragon.

The term “nine” is symbolic rather than literal. There are more than 9 sons of the dragon, though the nine ones above are the most common.

Unlike dragons that evolved naturally, people mythologised these figures based on the symbolic functions of various artefacts and architectural elements. They frequently appear in palace carvings, ritual vessels, and decorative motifs, extending and symbolising dragon culture in the secular world.

#1 Yellow Dragon (Huanglong)

Yellow Dragon (黄龙) symbolizes the center of heaven and earth and the legitimacy of imperial power. As the deity of the Earth element in the Five Elements, it occupies the central position among the Four Symbols — the Azure Dragon, White Tiger (Baihu), Vermilion Bird (Zhuque), and Black Tortoise (Xuanwu), commands the four directions, and embodies balance and cosmic order. The Yellow Dragon represents the central earth and signifies stability, trust, and the vital force that nurtures all living things.

BUnlike the malevolent dragons of Western mythology, the Yellow Dragon is a deity symbolizing good fortune and auspiciousness. It has a golden body with shimmering scales, presenting a solemn and majestic demeanor that commands respect without hostility.

The Yellow Dragon combines various features of nine different animals, including the eyes of a rabbit, the antlers of a deer, the mouth of an ox, the body of a snake, the scales of a fish, and the claws of a tiger. It is the perfect embodiment of all creatures in nature and stands as one of the most honored spiritual beasts in heaven and on earth.

In ancient times, the appearance of the Yellow Dragon was a sign of the “Mandate of Heaven⁵.” Historical records describe divine events in which the Yellow Dragon appeared along the Yellow River and ascended to the heavens, paralleling the rise of sages or the advent of a prosperous era. The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) records the Yellow Dragon’s manifestation by the Yellow River, signaling the mandate bestowed upon the Yellow Emperor.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) also frequently considers the Yellow Dragon and relevant ones as central deities. Consequently, the Yellow Dragon gradually became a symbol of imperial legitimacy, with successive emperors using the “appearance of the Yellow Dragon” to affirm the legitimacy of their rule.

The image of the Yellow Dragon is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese art and architecture. For instance, the Forbidden City in Beijing is decorated with yellow glazed tiles, and Qing dynasty emperors donned five-clawed golden dragon robes. Yellow was the exclusive imperial color, and the five-clawed dragon pattern was reserved solely for the Son of Heaven, symbolizing supreme authority and power. The use of four-clawed dragons in Korea and three-clawed dragons in Japan originated from China’s strict ancient system of dragon insignia hierarchy.

#2 Azure Dragon (Qinglong)

The Azure Dragon (青龙) is a prominent celestial beast in ancient Chinese mythology, representing the East, the season of spring, and the renewal of life. It is one of the Four Symbols—alongside the Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise, embodying the seven star mansions in the eastern sky. During each spring, the Azure Dragon would rise in the eastern heavens, heralding vitality and auspicious omens.

The Qinglong is a long and serpentine creature with a head resembling a qilin, adorned with antlers and a carp’s tail. Its body is covered with green scales. It has four or five sharp and powerful claws. Qing Dragon represents Wood and symbolizes life, growth, and hope. That is why it is one of the most auspicious divine dragons.

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the Azure Dragon has always guarded the eastern heavens and serves as a heroic beast protecting peace on earth. Later, it was appointed by the Heavenly Emperor as the eastern guardian of the heavenly realm, overseeing the spring season and the harmony of wind and rain.

In Feng Shui, the principle of “Azure Dragon on the left, White Tiger on the right” expresses the belief that if the left side of a house (the east) is elevated like being guarded by an Azure Dragon, it will bring good luck and prosperity.

The Azure Dragon is a significant symbol in Chinese culture and has exerted wide influence across East Asia.

The Azure Dragon (Seiryū) is revered in Japan as the god of water and the protector of agriculture. Meanwhile, in Korea, it serves as a guardian of the state and is closely associated with royal authority. In Vietnam, the dragon has a more fluid identity, resembling a water dragon merging with local traditions of worshipping serpent and dragon. By contrast, the Chinese Azure Dragon is more systematically tied to astrology, the Five Elements, and kingship, making it an emblematic divine dragon.

#3 Chinese Fire Dragon (赤龙)

The Fire Dragon (Huolong) is an anomaly among dragons, as it does not inhabit rivers, lakes, or seas but volcanoes and lava. It is not an ordinary dragon, but a special being born from the union of the fire spirits of heaven and earth.

Therefore, it is the embodiment of the “essence of fire.” Although it is not included in the traditional dragon lineage, its fiery nature makes it wild, fierce, and difficult to tame. In Chinese mythology, it stands uniquely as an irreplaceable symbol of flames.

Its body is long and supple, glowing red like blazing iron, with magma-like light seeping through the gaps in its scales. Its eyes blaze like burning charcoal, sharp horns rise from its head. It sometimes unfurls wings forged entirely from pure flame.

Moreover, when it soars through the air, the Fire Dragon leaves scorching trails of fire. Different from gentle and auspicious dragons that symbolise good fortune, the Fire Dragon brings searing heat and raging flames wherever it goes. It radiates an intense and oppressive aura that inspires awe and fear.

One of the earliest records of the Fire Dragon comes from Qing Shi Gao (Draft History of Qing). In Taoist scriptures, the Fire Dragon is the guardian beast of the alchemical furnace fire, responsible for controlling flames used in alchemy.

In folklore, it is often associated with natural disasters such as droughts, high temperatures, and wildfires, so it is regarded as an omen of calamity.

Unlike the fire-breathing dragons of Western mythology, the Chinese Fire Dragon does not guard treasure and is not purely evil. Instead, it represents ancient people’s interpretation of and reverence for natural phenomena about intense heat.

Meanwhile, Fire Dragon plays a positive role in folk culture. In the smelting and forging industries, it is regarded as the god of fire and forging with flames capable of smelting even the hardest iron.

During festivals such as the Chinese New Year, the traditional “Fire Dragon Dance” is performed to ward off epidemics, pray for peace, and symbolize humanity’s ability to harness and transform fire.

#4 White Dragon

The White Dragon is a mythological creature from ancient Chinese folklore that governs snow, ice, and cold. It is one of the rare “cold-type” dragons within the dragon family. Unlike traditional dragons that control bodies of water, the White Dragon can create frost, freeze rivers, and influence the climate.

The White Dragon has a slender, snow-white, and elongated body covered with transparent scales that shimmer coldly like ice crystals under the sunlight. Its eyes shine like stars in the night sky. Its breath can instantly freeze moisture in the air, creating frost and snow even during summer.

Wherever the White Dragon’s claws touch, they leave a trail of freezing cold. As it moves, the temperature drops sharply, and the environment falls silent, creating a strong and oppressive atmosphere different from the fiery aura of the Fire Dragon.

The depiction of the White Dragon varies across ancient texts. The Huainanzi describes it as a deity associated with the western direction in Chinese cosmology, responsible for autumn and punishment, symbolizing severity and justice. In the Han dynasty’s judicial system, the White Dragon was a motif on judges’ clothing and utensils, representing the spirit of impartial law enforcement. According to the Tang dynasty’s anecdotal collection, Youyang Zazu, the White Dragon was an auspicious omen in the imperial court.

In legends of northern nomadic peoples, the White Dragon’s severe coldness is to eliminate pests and diseases, thereby protecting pasture growth. Therefore, it is not seen as purely negative.

In folk culture and literature, the White Dragon plays various roles. In Journey to the West, White Dragon Horse was originally the son of the Dragon King of the Western Sea. Later, it was transformed into the mount of the Tang Monk, symbolising obedience and guardianship.

#5 Black Dragon

The Black Dragon is a divine creature with a predominantly black body, around 500 metres long. Its twin horns curl in a double helix shape, and its pupils burn like crimson flames. Unlike true dragons, it has only four claws. Its barbed scales shift in colour from pitch black to deep indigo from neck to belly.

Feared as the most powerful and dangerous of all dragon species, the Black Dragon is hot-tempered, warlike, and shrouded in mystery.

In ancient times, it haunted the Northern Sea—now known as Lake Baikal—commanding the tides with overwhelming power.

Black Dragon was a leading general under Gonggong, the god of water, ranked alongside Xiangliu and Fuyou. It followed Gonggong into battle against Zhu Rong, the god of fire. When Gonggong rammed his head into Mount Buzhou, the sky collapsed, the earth split open, and great floods engulfed the land. Amid this chaos, Black Dragon stirred up violent storms and wreaked havoc upon the world until it was ultimately slain by the Goddess Nüwa.

In Chinese culture, the Black Dragon is a symbol of evil, peril, and untamed destructive power.

#6 Yinglong

Yinglong (应龙), also known as the Wind-Assisting Dragon, is one of the Four Great Divine Dragons and is the most valiant and warlike among the dragon gods.

Yinglong is the most legendary figure among all dragons. It is clad in green-gold scales and armor, with massive wings on its back and deer-like antlers, and eyes as red as glowing pearls. Unlike ordinary dragons, its most distinctive feature is its phoenix-like wings, making it a rare and powerful winged dragon deity.

The earliest known account of Yinglong appears in The Classic of Mountains and Seas: The Great Wilderness North, where it has aided the Yellow Emperor in defeating Chiyou at the Battle of Zhuolu. Yinglong spread its mighty wings and summoned a violent storm, helping the Yellow Emperor’s forces turn the tide of battle. This legendary war cemented Yinglong’s exalted status as a god of war.

Even more remarkably, Yinglong reemerges in the myth of Yu and the Great’s flood where it used its powerful tail to carve out channels through the land, guiding the floodwaters out to sea—a testament to its immense divine strength.

In traditional Chinese mythology, Yinglong is a divine dragon capable of soaring freely through the skies, commanding wind and weather. In this way, it is regarded as the guardian deity of agriculture. Additionally, Yinglong is said to have served as the imperial mount, symbolising supreme authority.

In modern culture, Yinglong frequently appears in decorative and artistic contexts, especially in architectural motifs and sculptures.

#7 Torch Dragon (Zhulong, Candle Dragon)

Torch Dragon (烛龙) is a unique and mysterious divine creature with a human face, a serpent’s body, and a colossal crimson form. In the Classic of Mountains and Seas: Northern Wilderness, Zhulong is “a thousand miles long”—an exaggeration underscoring its otherworldly and divine essence.

Zhulong’s piercing eyes were the source of both light and darkness. Although referred to as a “dragon,” it lacks conventional draconic features such as horns or sharp claws. Instead, it resembles a deity embodying the natural order.

Candle Dragon is the guardian deity of Zhongshan Mountain, a northern mountain range in China. Unlike the Jiao Dragon dominating the rivers and regulating the earth’s Qi⁶, the Candle Dragon is the sole guardian of Zhongshan, maintaining the alternation of day and night and the changing of the seasons in the region.

In ancient imagination, the Candle Dragon opens its eyes to welcome the day and closes them to embrace the night. It exhales to bring the heat of summer and blows to reduce the cold of winter. This concept of regulating time through its eyes and breath offers a unique perspective on time and space.

Moreover, Han dynasty stone portraits and later literature, such as Shuo Wen Jie Zi, often juxtapose the Candle Dragon with the Thunder God and the Wind God, symbolizing the great natural forces of wind, thunder, and light. Qing dynasty court records classified the Candle Dragon as a “local deity,” giving it a lower status than the orthodox dragon deities, such as Yinglong and Huanglong. Consequently, it was not included in the orthodox system of Chinese dragon deities.

#8 Flood Dragon (Jiaolong)

Jiaolong (蛟龙), also known as the Flood Dragon, is a mysterious water dragon that inhabits rivers, lakes, and seas. Although it bore the appearance of a true dragon, it had not yet fully metamorphosed and was considered an early or incomplete form of one. It has a long and serpentine body covered in bronze-colored scales, sharp claws, and razor-sharp teeth.

Jiaolong could stir up wind and waves, command torrential rain and floods, thus often associated with natural disasters and water deities. Ancient texts such as the Classic of Mountains and Seas and In Search of the Supernatural record many tales about the Jiaolong, typically revolving around the havoc it caused and the heroes who subdued it. One well-known story is “Zhou Chu Slays the Jiaolong,” recounting how the warrior Zhou Chu ventured into a perilous pool to slay the beast and protect the people.

Traditionally, people consider that Jiaolong inhabits deep pools and swift currents. It is fierce and quick-tempered, and disturbing its territory may trigger storms and floods. However, Jiaolong is also intelligent. If cultivated for a thousand years, it can transform into a true dragon and ascend to the Nine Heavens (the highest realm of heaven in Daoist cosmology), symbolizing a metamorphosis from chaos to transcendence.

Unlike the sea serpents of Western mythology, such as the Norse Jörmungandr, the Jiaolong is not merely a monster but a creature embodying destructive power and divine essence.

Instead of breathing fire or guarding treasure like European dragons, it commands the waters and is closely tied to the survival of ancient agrarian societies. Compared with Yinglong symbolizing celestial authority, or the Yellow Dragon, a symbol of imperial power, Jiaolong is more feral and untamed, representing the raw and uncontrollable forces of nature.

Jiaolong represents ancient people’s reverence for and reliance on rivers, lakes, and seas. It symbolised flooding but was also seen as a source of rain and bountiful harvests. Even today, images of the Jiaolong can still be found in traditional architecture, dragon boat carvings, martial arts novels, and video games.

#9 Bingyi (冰夷)

Bingyi (冰夷) is an ancient ice dragon born from the snow and ice of the Kunlun Mountains. As it governed vast river basins, later generations regarded it as a manifestation of the River God, Hebo (河伯).

Bingyi has a distinctive appearance, with a head noticeably larger than that of an ordinary dragon and a body as clear and crystalline as ice. When it flies at night, the moonlight reflected from its body can illuminate an entire mountain, casting a brilliant glow.
Wherever Bingyi passes, it leaves long trails of ice across the rivers. For this reason, it typically dwells in snowy mountains or frozen realms and rarely reveals itself in the human world.

The earliest description of Bingyi appears in the mythological classic Classic of Mountains and Seas, which records that with a mere breath. Bingyi can summon cold winds, bring swirling snowflakes, and freeze all things. Bingyi is violent and unpredictable by nature. Wherever it goes, water freezes, and nothing can grow.

After Yinglong helped the Yellow Emperor defeat Chi You, Yinglong became the god of all rivers. Bingyi was deeply dissatisfied with this and battled with Yinglong in heaven, but was ultimately defeated.

#10 Coiled Dragon (Panlong)

The Coild Dragon, or Panlong (蟠龙), is an ancient Chinese mythological dragon that dwells underground, known as the “Hidden Dragon beneath the Earth.” It embodies the dragon veins—energetic currents flowing through the land. Unlike the soaring True Dragons that ride clouds, Panlong resides deep beneath the earth, in ancient wells, secluded pools, or imperial tombs, symbolizing dormant power and the spirituality of the earth.

The Coiled Dragon has its distinctive spiral form, with its body connected from head to tail, resembling a circular piece of jade jewellery. Its length is not fixed, varying according to the terrain and the alignment of the dragon vein.

The Coiled Dragon’s scales are a mottled blend of green and yellow, resembling the colours of earth and stone. Its body is often covered with moss or lichen, giving it an ancient and mysterious appearance.

Its eyes remain closed, resembling stones. Each breath it takes can cause the ground to tremble, even reshaping the landscape of mountains and rivers.

The coiled dragon’s most important ability is to protect the earth’s veins from earthquakes and landslides.

Ancient people believed it could regulate the earth’s qi and stabilize mountain formations. Therefore, carvings of coiled dragons often appear in imperial tombs to guard the graves and ward off evil spirits.

When the dragon’s scales fall off, it signals the arrival of earthquakes and other calamities. In ancient Feng Shui beliefs, the coiled dragon symbolizes the activity of the earth’s veins. Its movements represent changes and omens between heaven and earth.

In Chinese culture, the coiled dragon symbolizes hidden power and a hero whose time has not yet come. For example, when Liu Bei first settled in Xinye (Present-day Xinye County, Nanyang City, Henan Province), which was administered as part of Nanyang Commandery during the late Han Dynasty (2nd-3rd century CE), Jing Province, he was addressed as “Master Coiled Dragon” (Panlong Xiansheng), suggesting his eventual rise to greatness. The folk saying “A latent dragon dwelling in the well” metaphorically describes a virtuous and talented person waiting for the right moment to act.

In architecture and art, images of coiled dragons are often used to create decorative elements that adorn stone pillars and jade items, symbolizing stability, longevity, and restrained strength.

In Taoist alchemy, the coiled dragon is the “essence of the earth’s lungs” (a Taoist concept referring to the vital energy of the earth). Qi practitioners seek to harness it to aid cultivation, reflecting its profound cultural significance.

#11 Cloud Dragon (Yunlong)

The Cloud Dragon (云龙), also known as the Rainbow Dragon, is one of the rarest types among the dragon kind. It is a massive dragon that can soar freely through the sky, with a blue body, curved horns, and clouds swirling around its form.

In ancient Chinese culture, the Cloud Dragon was a divine creature closely associated with the sky and the atmosphere. It has the power to control natural phenomena such as wind, rain, and clouds. In folk traditions, people would invoke the Cloud Dragon in rainmaking rituals, beseeching it to gather clouds and bring forth rain.

The earliest mention of the Cloud Dragon appears in the Lunheng: Luanlong chapter, a Han Dynasty work by Wang Chong. Traditionally, it has been regarded as a symbol of good luck, happiness, and longevity. Therefore, Cloud Dragon motifs are commonly found in festivals and temple fairs to invoke blessings and a bountiful harvest.

The image of the Cloud Dragon has also been widely circulated beyond China. Similar accounts can be found in Japan, Korea, and other East Asian countries. In these cultures, the Cloud Dragon also symbolizes guardianship over humans and protection from calamities, highlighting its auspicious meaning across cultures.

#12 Shenlong (Clam Dragon)

The Shen Dragon (蜃龙), also known as the Clam Dragon or Mirage Dragon, inhabits river estuaries and is renowned for its dual clam-dragon form and mastery of illusions.

According to the Jishen Lu (稽神录), Shen Dragon normally lies dormant in the form of a giant clam, with a body diameter of up to 40 meters. Its size fluctuates with the phases of the moon. It reveals its dragon form only on full moon nights by absorbing the tidal essence and maintaining this form until dawn.

In the dragon form, Shen Dragon boasts deer-like antlers on its head and a flowing red mane along its neck and back. Its lower body is covered with dark and backward-growing scales, giving it an imposing presence. It often disguises itself as birds, shellfish, or floating mirage pearls (pseudo-dragon pearls) to lure schools of fish.

As a Mirage Dragon, it exhales a magical mist that conjures up illusionary pavilions and towers, giving rise to the shimmering phenomenon known as the Loong’s Mirage. Fishermen would watch for their appearance to locate the dragon’s domain, casting offerings into the waters for a bountiful catch.

The Mirage Dragon is benevolent. It is to respond to human prayers, calling forth clouds and rain, guiding fish to fishermen, and bringing blessings of good fortune and plentiful harvests.

#13 Chilong (Chi Dragon)

In ancient Chinese mythology, the Chilong (螭龙) is a hornless species of dragon. Though smaller in stature and more agile than its celestial counterparts, it is imbued with great power and is considered a symbol of auspiciousness.

The Chi Dragon is the offspring of a dragon and a tiger. Its most common form features a dragon’s head with tiger-like ears, a scale-less body, and fin-like protrusions. Its appearance closely resembles that of a giant gecko, which has earned it the nickname “Chi Tiger.”

Chi Dragons originate from the vital essence of water and are most often born in aquatic environments. They are highly attuned to water and instinctively avoid fire, reinforcing their bond with the natural elements.

Ancient Chinese believed that the Chi Dragon could repel fire and ward off calamities. As a protective symbol, it was often carved atop roof ridges, eaves tiles, or even water jars as a “rooftop beast” to safeguard the home.

Beyond architecture, Chi Dragons were widely featured in traditional crafts such as jade, bronze, and wood carving. As one of the most enduring decorative beast motifs, they symbolize good fortune, protection from evil, and prosperity.

Beyond its protective symbolism, the Chi Dragon is also associated with deep emotional meaning. In some legends, it represents steadfast love and fidelity, and often appears as an auspicious motif on marriage-related objects.

#14 Qiulong (Curling Dragon)

The Qiu Dragon(虬龙) is small and hornless in ancient Chinese mythology, known for its lithe and slender body. It often appears in a coiled and serpentine posture, earning it the nickname “Curved Dragon.”

Though dragon-like in form, the Qiu is more agile and delicate, thus being an early or variant species of the dragon race.

In folk legends, the Qiu once aided Pangu in the creation of the world. It surged into the heavens with fierce determination and used its great eyes to seek out rare and wondrous treasures, symbolising a powerful blend of strength and wisdom.

In traditional Chinese culture, the Qiu is an auspicious creature symbolizing vitality, longevity, and good fortune. Its image is widely incorporated into jade carvings, bronze ware, porcelain, paper cuttings, and New Year paintings, blending seamlessly into both folk art and everyday life.

During festivals, its coiling form often appears on lucky ornaments and temple roof decorations, carrying people’s hopes for happiness, peace, and prosperity.

#15 Huilong (Hui Dragon)

In Chinese mythology, the Hui Dragon (虺龙) is the most primitive form in the dragon’s evolutionary system. It is typically regarded as an undeveloped young dragon, representing the earliest stage of the life cycle of dragons.

The Hui has no horns and a slender, elongated body resembling a giant snake. Its entire body is covered with fine and dense scales that are greenish-black or dark in colour. It has a forked tongue and moves with agility. The Hui typically inhabit mountains, forests, wetlands, or hot and humid areas. It tends to hide during the day and become active at night.

Some ancient texts record that the Hui can spit poisonous gas and even swallow humans, highlighting their aggressive and dangerous nature.

In ancient texts, the image of the Hui is closely associated with poisonous snakes. The Shuowen Jiezi states: “Hui is like a venomous snake.” The Zuo Zhuan says: “The large kind of ‘wan’ (a type of lizard) is called Hui,” indicating that the Hui refers to a large lizard with strong venom. The Classic of Mountains and Seas contains numerous records of the Hui. Huilong inhabit valleys and fiery marshes, possessing characteristics of mythical beasts.

Hui (虺)’s position within the dragon family system is established by the statement in the Book of Rites: “Hui transforms into the jiao, and the jiao transforms into the dragon,” which clearly outlines the evolutionary Hui-jiao-dragon path. This evolutionary concept has also exerted profound effects on the classification and cultural symbolism of mythical creatures in later traditions.

#16 Horned Dragon (Jiaolong)

The Horned Dragon (角龙) is a mythological dragon from ancient Chinese folklore, distinguished by the two horns on its head. It is regarded as the guardian of mountains, rivers, and the earth’s veins, combining majesty and mystery. Although it has yet to become a true dragon, the Horned Dragon’s two horns enable it to sense the spirit of the earth^[7], making it one of the dragons most closely associated with the power of the mountains.

The Horned Dragon is a majestic creature with thick, powerful limbs and tightly scaled armour that resembles iron. Its body is mostly greenish-black or dark green. Its amber eyes glitter coldly in the darkness, giving it an imposing presence. The most striking feature is its two horns, shaped like antlers but sharper and stronger.

The Horned Dragon’s horns can pierce through the essences of metal and stone and can sense the earth’s qi, helping reconcile yin and yang⁸. The Horned Dragon inhabits deep mountains or can burrow underground. When it moves, the Earth trembles and mountains shake, showcasing its mighty power of the Earth element.

Ancient texts such as the Classic of Mountains and Seas and Huainanzi contain many accounts of the Horned Dragon, describing it as “resembling a dragon with horns, passing through the earth’s veins, and guarding the mountains and rivers.”

The Horned Dragon uses its horns to guide the earth’s qi. When the mountains and rivers fall out of balance, it pierces the earth to adjust the qi, causing the mountains and rocks to return to their places and the terrain to become stable and smooth.

The most famous story is the “Horned Dragon Drawing Spring” (角龙引泉), in which a Horned Dragon pierces the mountain rocks with its horns to draw out a clear spring to provide relief for drought-stricken areas. This story is often depicted in murals in ancient temples in Hebei (province) and Shanxi (province), reflecting people’s belief in the Horned Dragon’s power to harmonise nature.

Statues of the Horned Dragon commonly stand in Mountain God Temples, symbolising its duty to guard the mountains and forests and stabilising the land. In earthquake-prone areas, people often hold rituals to pray for the Horned Dragon to suppress the energy channels of the earth and keep the mountains and rivers stable. Unlike the Jiao Dragon, which controls wind and rain, the Horned Dragon represents stability and order.

Unlike the unicorn in Western mythology, the Horned Dragon’s horns do not symbolise purity, but penetration, sensing, and harmony.

#17 Kuilong (Kui Dragon)

The Kui Dragon (夔龙) is a unique divine beast from ancient Chinese mythology, notable for having only one leg. It resembles an ox, but its roar sounds like thunder, shaking mountains and rivers. Although its name contains the word “dragon,” it is not a true dragon in the conventional sense. Rather, it embodies a fascinating combination of the thunder god, a fierce beast, and the symbol of ancient ceremonial weapons.

The earliest records of the Kui Long come from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, where its image is already strikingly vivid. It is hornless and covered with reversed scales. Its entire body is rough and dark bluish-black like rock, and thunder patterns adorn its belly. It was a divine spirit capable of causing earthquakes and thunder.

In ancient times, the Kui Long symbolized both the forces of nature and a mystical totem.

It stomped the ground with its single foot with such power that it could cause mountains to crumble and the earth to split, closely linking it to the worship of the Thunder God.

Later, people carved its image onto bronze vessels to ward off evil spirits, display power, and pray for victory in battle. The nobles during the Shang and Zhou dynasties commonly used this ‘Kui Long’ pattern as their emblem.

The Yellow Emperor once slew a Kui Long and fashioned its skin into a war drum, whose sound could carry for five hundred li (about 250 kilometers in modern measurement）— one of the earliest legends of crafting ceremonial objects from divine beasts.

During the cultural revolution, the Kui Long gradually transformed from a fierce beast into a divine spirit embodying authority and ritual significance. During the Han Dynasty’s Nuo opera, performers wore masks depicting the Kui Long to drive away evil spirits and ward off epidemics.

In ancient musical culture, the term “夔”  also evolved into the title of a court musician. However, “夔”  was a personal name, distinct from the mythical name, Kuilong.

The Kui Long itself never evolved or ascended to heaven; it was born a primordial creature, lacking the ability to fly and the auspicious traits traditionally associated with dragons.

Footnotes

1. Five Elements（五行）: Also translated as Five Phases (Wuxing), this system represents five dynamic processes — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — which interact through cycles of generation (相生) and overcoming (相克). It forms the basis of Chinese medicine, astrology, and metaphysics. ↩︎
2. Dao（道）: Literally “the Way,” Dao is the primordial principle that governs all existence. In Daoism, it denotes the natural order of things, emphasizing non-action (无为), spontaneity (自然), and harmony with the universe rather than control or force. ↩︎
3. Four Symbols (四象): The celestial guardians of the four cardinal directions in Chinese cosmology — Azure Dragon (East), Vermilion Bird (South), White Tiger (West), and Black Tortoise (North) — each governing a season and an elemental phase. ↩︎
4. Feng Shui (风水, ‘Wind-Water’): A traditional Chinese geomancy system harmonizing human spaces with natural energy flows (Qi), employing the Five Elements (五行) and directional forces (Four Symbols). Historically used for city planning, tomb placement, and architectural design. ↩︎
5. Mandate of Heaven（天命）: A foundational Chinese political doctrine. Heaven grants moral rulers the right to govern; misrule leads to revocation of this mandate, justifying rebellion or dynastic change. Seen as a divine mechanism behind legitimacy and revolution. ↩︎
6. Qi（气）: In Chinese cosmology, Qi is the dynamic medium between the physical and spiritual realms. It manifests as breath (呼吸之气), vital essence (元气), and cosmic force (天气). Unlike Western “energy,” Qi is not merely physical but a multifaceted principle that permeates life, health, and the cosmos. ↩︎
7. Earth’s Spirit: In Chinese mythology, the ‘earth spirit’ refers to both the vital energy of landforms and the divine consciousness of mountain deities. ↩︎
8. Yin and Yang（阴阳）: Not fixed opposites, but relational states that constantly transform into each other. For instance, a mountain’s sunny side is Yang, its shaded side Yin. Rooted in the I Ching《易经》, this concept reflects balance and dynamism within the cosmos. ↩︎

References

Shuowen Jiezi 《说文解字》by Xu Shen — A Han dynasty dictionary and etymological text that defines “龙” (dragon) as “鳞虫之长” (“chief of all scaled creatures”). It provides critical insight into the character’s earliest meanings and cosmological associations.

Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas) 《山海经》 — A Chinese classic text and mythological geography compiled from the Warring States to early Han dynasty. Frequently cited for descriptions of mythical creatures including dragons.

Huainanzi 《淮南子》 — A Han dynasty philosophical work blending Daoist, Confucian, and Legalist ideas. Contains cosmological and mythological accounts of dragons and the Five Elements.

Baopuzi (The Master Who Embraces Simplicity) 《抱朴子》 by Ge Hong — A 4th-century Daoist text, often referenced for alchemical concepts such as Neidan (internal alchemy) and the cultivation of spiritual dragons.

Soushen Ji (In Search of the Supernatural) 《搜神记》 — A collection of supernatural tales compiled by Gan Bao during the Eastern Jin dynasty. Includes stories of dragons, transformations, and divine interventions.

Taiping Guangji 《太平广记》 — A massive Song dynasty compilation of legends, including many dragon-related stories across dynasties.

Records of the Grand Historian 《史记》 by Sima Qian — Contains historical anecdotes of emperors, portents, and dragon sightings, especially in relation to the Mandate of Heaven.

Qing Shi Gao (Draft History of Qing) 《清史稿》 — The official draft history of the Qing dynasty, compiled in the early Republican era. It provides historical records, including references to imperial symbolism and mythological elements such as dragons in Qing court rituals.

The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T’ang Exotics by Edward H. Schafer — University of California Press, 1963.

A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the Guideways Through Mountains and Seas by Richard E. Strassberg — University of California Press, 2002.

The Encyclopedia of Taoism edited by Fabrizio Pregadio — Routledge, 2008.

Taoism: Growth of a Religion by Isabelle Robinet — Stanford University Press, 1997.