Overview of Chinese Dragon Art
Chinese Dragon Art has many forms in China, which this article will give a short overview. Starting from mythology to Tattoos.
Dragons in Chinese Mythology
Chinese dragons are considered to be legendary creatures in Chinese mythology. They are also known as East Asian dragons and spelled in Chinese as “long, loong and lung” The traditional character is 龍 and in simplified Chinese 龙. Chinese Dragon Art is found in many Chinese folk fares and East Asian culture at large. Sometimes it is also named the oriental or eastern dragon.
These dragons can be of any color. And general perception about these dragons is that they are composed of different animal parts. Having a neck like a snake, a tail like a fish, head like a camel, paw-like a camel and claws like an eagle. It is easily recognizable due to its long serpentine body that is wingless.
What does the Chinese dragons symbolize?
They are probably the most powerful and gracious symbol in Chinese culture. Chinese dragons are considered as something that has great influence and control of water, flood, and typhoons. Traditionally they symbolize vigor and fortunate powers.
Unlike Europe and the western world where Dragons are a representative of evil and demons, in China and Asia breathing fire is a powerful symbol of having supernatural forces.
Chinese Dragon Art
Dragon artwork is very much famous till now in China and since ancient time and it is truly a breathtaking art. The dragon has been pictured throughout Chinese history. As they are considered sacred in Chinese culture they are quite famous among religious people. Chinese temples are full of Dragon artworks which include paintings, sculptures, ornaments, and statues.
Dragons are used as a symbol of powerful people and it has been used to signify royalty. It is inclusive in almost all the traditional art including embroidery, painting, and sculpture. Also dragon artwork is found on imperial objects.
Chinese Dragon artworks also appear in porcelains, buildings, and ornaments with various meanings. They are carved out of jade, painted on ceramics and also used in architecture.
All the above-mentioned Dragon artworks reflect the Chinese people’s wisdom and love for this sacred animal.
Chinese Dragon embroidery
You can see dragon embroidery on the robes worn by ancient emperors and officers. Especially if you visit any Chinese Museum to see some of those incredible dresses which will give you a look of China’s ancient civilization and artwork. Dragon embroidery was considered a formal part of dressing the emperor for special ceremonies and occasions. It was made mostly of silk and using traditional Chinese techniques to make it look exquisite and gorgeous.
Dragon robes usually consist of nine Dragons but sometimes it can be twelve that are embroidered in their fixed place. You may find them of the same design but if you will pay attention toward them you will be amazed how neatly they are done and all of them of different from each other.
Such embroidery is still being made in various provinces of china. If you visit China you will have the chance to see an exquisite solid handmade dragon embroidery yourself which shows the Chinese love to their dragons and their artwork.
Dragon painting
Dragons have been the symbol of the powerful spirituality. From ancient times to the present its image has been portrayed in various paintings. Dragon artworks are quite famous in China especially in the many famous paintings that can be found. (
It was in the Song dynasty that the artists have begun to master drawing dragons and portrait them as the vivid creatures we know. Quickly dragons had become a vehicle for the Chinese nation to vent their emotions. The imposing posture of dragons in paintings provided the artists with a way to express their ideal and spiritual pursuit and also their emotions and sentiments.
Chen Rong is considered to be the best dragon painter of all time, he has painted some wonderful and mesmerizing dragon artworks which are now present in the museum of fine art in Boston.
Chinese Dragon Sculpture.
As dragon art is quite famous in China. Dragon sculptures and carving are also found in ancient China. They are more likely to be present in temples or in houses of royal and rich families. Dragon sculptures are usually made up of woods and stones and made by special craftsmen with their amazing techniques. People love to buy these as they are also a symbol of the owner’s aesthetics statue, pride and wealth.
Most dragon elements are carved in stone pillars and beam and usually put in front of the house as they are considered to have supernatural powers and protect from evil.
Nine Dragon Wall
The nine dragon wall is a spiritual type of wall that contains the images of nine different dragons and it’s a masterpiece architecture. For example, you can find them in Beihai Park and the Forbidden City in Beijing. There is also a small copy of the wall from Beihai Park in Chicago´s Chinatown.
You may ask why 9? – The legend explains the reasons why there are 9 dragons as opposed to 8 or 10. According to Zhou Yi (one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts), nine symbolizes “yang” because in ancient China numbers are categorized into yang and yin numbers. Odd numbers signify yang, while even numbers represent yin, and nine is the largest yang number. It stands for the ultimate and the principle of the Way.
Dragons in China Today
In ancient China, ordinary people were not allowed to have dragon artwork or items that carry the dragon images as only emperors (as the sons of dragons) are allowed to have them – but this mindset has changed now.
Therefore you will see many statues and artworks now around China, Asia, and the world. Also, a lot of people (even in China) having Dragon tattoos on different body parts as it symbolizes protection, wisdom, power to life and Chinese tradition. Dragons are still associated with the people of China but it is now being more used as a mascot than a divine prodigy. People still love to draw Dragon’s painting and its importance in artwork hasn’t changed. It is still being used in ink and wash paintings, jade carving, porcelain, posters (for example this big one on amazon) and dragon sculptures are still being made with full devotion and skills.
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