Chris Hyde

Before

Chinese Dragons- Ancient Times and Modern Times

After

A common depiction of a Chinese dragon from a Walt Diseny production. Although dragons today are mostly depicted as cartoons they are highly respected and it is condsidered taboo to disfigure a dragon.

In ancient Chinese mythology, the dragon was a sign of great power and the controller of water and precipitation. The Dragon could disguise itself as both a silkworm or the universe. Dragons could fly, hide underwater, form clouds, turn into water or fire, glow in the dark or turn invisible. The Dragon was said to guard the emperor and the citizens of a village when under attack, if the citizens had been good to the dragon.

A depiction of an ancient Chinese dragon that shows common characteristics of ancient dragons in Chinese mythology.

This is an example of how the Chinese depict the dragon today during the Chinese New Year celebration.

An example of an ancient Chinese dragon controling the weather.

Ord is a depiction of a dragon in today's society that is well known by young children.

This is an ancient Chinese dragon defending one of the four seas. In ancient Chinese mythology it was said that there was a Dragon King to protect each of the four seas ; villages nearby would worship these kings.