The Japanese dragon is the embodiment of a variety of divine forces. This fabulous creature can be evil and good, noble and treacherous. In many ways, it is associated with water, which, owing to its unpredictable power, is the embodiment of the mighty beast's terrifying energy. What role dragons play in Japanese mythology will be discussed in this article.
Distinctive features
The Japanese dragon differs from the Chinese dragon, first of all, physiological features. The fact is that the number of claws, tails and heads in these creatures is different. The Japanese monster has only three claws. Scientists attribute this fact to the fact that earlier in China the dragon looked the same. The Mongols, however, after their conquest of China, placed their dragon on a pedestal with four claws as a sign that it was much more powerful than its predecessor. However, after the conquest of China, the Mongols placed on a pedestal their dragon, which already had four claws as a sign that it was much more powerful than its predecessor. When the Chinese gained their independence, they did everything they could to forget the Mongol rule. They modified their dragon once again by giving it another claw. Naturally, all these metamorphoses did not affect the Japanese dragon. He came as a three-toed dragon from China, and remains so. But he got a lot of heads and tails. So it was not easy to cope with the raging monster. All the Japanese legends testify to this.
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Habitat
The natural habitat for the dragon is water. In legends it is inextricably linked to Japanese water deities. In ancient times, the dragon itself was considered a powerful creature of the heavens and was worshipped in many places around the country. The center of worship of these creatures is the province of Kanagawa. Legends and myths of Japan say that as many as two famous dragons once lived here. The nine-headed monster lived in Lake Ashinoko in the Hakone Mountains, and the five-headed one on Enoshima Island. Each of these fabulous creatures has its own special story.
Dragon in Japanese mythology
In Japan, Korea, and China, dragons were considered one of the main mythological heroes. The citizens of these countries hold a sacred belief that once upon a time, these creatures actually lived side by side with humans. And although today it is simply the main character of national myths, earlier dragons were indeed treated as powerful deities and were piously believed in their existence.
People believed that they were intelligent, wise, noble and possessed an endless supply of energy. Do you know how to determine that this is a Japanese dragon, and not the Slavic, Korean or any other? It's very simple. Look at the number of its fingers.
If you believe Japanese mythology, then the first such entity appeared in Japan, of course, and it had only three fingers on his paws. However, not all entities decided to linger in Japan and began to explore the world.
As they moved farther away from home, they began to grow new fingers. That's because most of the Oriental monsters lacked wings and could move either on foot or by swimming. With more toes, it was much easier to do so.
The traditional character from Japan has horns, claws, scales, and large teeth on his back. Often the creature is depicted with a burning sphere in its mouth, which it consumes or spews out. Often a famous pearl is depicted, in which all the power of the creature is accumulated.
If we talk about the field of oriental creatures, it is very easy to determine. The first thing to look at is the shape of the tail tip. If you saw a lush fan, then it's a female. If the monster has an elongated muzzle and a wavy mane, this also indicates that it is a female. The tail is sharp or with a mace at the end, indicating the male's field of essence. Such a weapon he uses in battle.
The Japanese believe that the essence is the embodiment of power, a boundless absolute power that can create and destroy. If these mythological beings are treated with reverence, they are capable of rewarding humans. If you insult a dragon, it will definitely take revenge and never forget it.
A place where dragons are treated with special respect is Kanagawa Prefecture. There are two of the most popular creatures there: the five-headed one on Enoshima Island. The other, the nine-headed one, is in Lake Ashinoko. The first record of dragons appeared in local chronicles in 720 BC.
Five-headed dragon.
On Enoshima, a sanctuary dedicated to the dragon appeared in 552. It is located in the rocky northern part of the island. Not far from the temple, at the water's edge, there is a grotto where the legend says the Japanese dragon still lives. The five-headed patron saint of the island did not become a deity at once. To do so he had to marry a goddess.
In the 6th century AD Japan developed a cult of worship of the goddess Bente - the patroness of hearth, women, arts and fiery eloquence. According to legend, she was so beautiful that she subdued a great dragon. He wooed the banten and received his consent. Since then, the five-headed animal became a full-fledged member of the Japanese divine pantheon. He was recognized as the water bearer of the land of Sagami. The animal was also given a special name, Ryukomeijin, which translates as "the luminous deity of the dragon."
Sacred Rites
On the coast near Etnoshima, a spacious temple is dedicated to the five-headed creature, and on the island is a shrine to his noble wife, the goddess Banten. In Japan, it is believed that lovers everywhere and always should be together. Oriental mythology implies the performance of certain rituals. Thus, on the first day of the lunar calendar (Snake Day) every year, a solemn ceremony is held: a symbolic image of the deity is sent from the dragon sanctuary to the temple of the goddess Banten. The spouses thus find themselves side by side. And once every 60 years a wooden statue is taken out of the dragon temple with all kinds of honors, which is then transported to the statue of Banten on the island.
The nine-headed dragon.
This creature from Ashinoko has a very different fate. It is believed to be a very ancient animal that from time immemorial has wandered out onto the lakeshore and devoured children from the surrounding villages. No one could resist the voracious monster, until there appeared in those areas devout priest named Managan. Dragon hunters often appear in eastern lore, and every time, in addition to courage, they have ingenuity. And the Shinto acolyte possessed not only the word of God, but also working magic. With the help of witchcraft charms the hero managed to tame the dragon and chained him to the trunk of a huge tree growing at the bottom of the lake. More than a thousand years have passed, and no one has seen a voracious dragon come ashore since.
Healing Tears
Japan is famous for such legends. Most interestingly, the creators of the legends believed that the evil monster could very well be re-educated. It is believed, for example, that the inhabitant of Lake Ashinoko repented of his criminal deeds long ago and weeps bitterly when he remembers them. But there is no one to unkindle the dragon, because Managan died long ago. The tears of the fairy creature are considered healing, so the waters of Ashinoko are attributed medicinal properties. Some Japanese come to this region to heal from illnesses and wounds. Even the path along which the dragon climbed out of the lake has been preserved. Lake torii sanctuaries are now erected over it.
Yamata no Orochi
Japanese folklore mentions another formidable dragon that couldn't be fixed - had to be destroyed. It is said that in the southern part of Honshu Island, in the Izumo region, an indomitable monster named Yamato no Orochi was rampaging. One family was particularly unlucky-it had eight daughters, and every year the fabulous creature would kidnap and eat one of them. The description of the dragon is that it was horrible. The red-eyed, eight-headed monster was exceptionally large: it was eight hills and eight valleys long. It also had eight tails, and trees and moss grew on the monster's back. The dragon's belly was always engulfed in fire and no one could resist its atrocities. When only one daughter remained in the unfortunate parents' home, Susanoo no Mikoto (the local god) came to them and offered help. In return, he demanded the hand of the daughter he had saved. Of course, the old men agreed, and the god instructed them to do as follows. He had a large quantity of sake brewed, which he then poured into eight large barrels. Susano-no Mikoto then placed the liquor on elevations surrounded by a high fence. An opening was made in each of them for a dragon's head. The serpent, who was apparently partial to sake, did not smell a trick and drank the prepared treat of each head. He immediately got drunk and fell asleep, which allowed the cunning god to chop him to pieces. Then Susanoo no Mikoto took the rescued girl as his wife, and in one of the dragon's tails he discovered Kusanagi's sword, which possessed magical properties. This object later became one of the symbols of imperial power.
❈World of Marvelous Dreams❈
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Good day, here with you again ~Andrea Shepard~ and today in this article you will learn about Japanese Dragons, their role in Japanese Myths and Legends.
Enjoy reading!
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The Japanese Dragon is the personification of a variety of divine powers. This fabulous creature can be evil and good, noble and treacherous. The image of the dragon is inextricably linked with water, which by its power and unpredictability as if personifies the terrifying energy of the mighty animal. In this article we will talk about the role played by dragons in Japanese mythology.
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Origin
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It is unknown how independent the Japanese Dragon is. First, all the eastern fairy tale animals (including Korean and Chinese) are very similar to each other. Secondly, the Japanese myths recorded in the annals not only fully copy the tales of a distant neighbor, but are also written in Chinese. And yet the legend of dragons in Japan has its own flavor, different from the legends of other nations. We will talk about the peculiarities of the national folklore of this country below.
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Distinctive features
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The Japanese Dragon differs from the Chinese Dragon, first of all, in physiological features. The fact is that the number of claws, tails, and heads of these creatures is different. The Japanese monster has only three claws. Scientists link this fact to the fact that earlier in China, too, the dragon looked the same. Moreover, by its image it embodied the power and strength of the country. However, after the conquest of China, the Mongols put their dragon on a pedestal, which already had four claws as a sign that he is much more powerful than his predecessor. When the Chinese gained their independence, they did everything they could to forget the Mongol rule. They modified their dragon once again by giving it another claw. Naturally, all these metamorphoses did not affect the Japanese Dragon. He came as a three-toed dragon from China, and still is. But he got a lot of heads and tails. That's why it was not easy to cope with the raging monster. All the Japanese legends testify to this.
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Habitat
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The natural habitat for the dragon is water. In ancient times, the dragon itself was regarded as a powerful creature of the heavens. In ancient times, the dragon itself was considered a powerful creature of the heavens, and was revered in various parts of the country. The center of worship of these creatures is the province of Kanagawa. Legends and myths of Japan say that as many as two famous dragons once lived here. The nine-headed monster lived in Lake Ashinoko in the Hakone Mountains, and the five-headed one on Enoshima Island. Each of these fabulous creatures has its own special story.
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Five-headed dragon
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On Enoshima, a shrine dedicated to the dragon appeared in 552. It is located in the rocky northern part of the island. Not far from the temple, at the water's edge, there is a grotto where the legend says the Japanese dragon still lives. The five-headed patron saint of the island did not become a deity at once. To do so, he had to marry a goddess. In the 6th century A.D., Japan developed a cult of worship of the goddess Banten, the patroness of the home, women, the arts and fiery eloquence. According to legend, she was so beautiful that she subdued a great dragon. He wooed the banten and received her consent. Since then, the five-headed animal became a full member of the Japanese divine pantheon. He was recognized as the giver of moisture to the land of Sagami. The animal was also given a special name, Ryukomeijin, which translates as "light dragon deity."
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Sacred rituals
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On the coast near Etnoshima, a spacious temple is dedicated to the five-headed creature, and on the island is a shrine to his noble wife, the goddess Banten. In Japan, it is believed that lovers everywhere and always should be together. Eastern mythology implies certain rituals. Thus, on the first day of the lunar calendar (Snake Day) every year, a solemn ceremony is held: a symbolic image of the deity is sent from the dragon sanctuary to the temple of the goddess Banten. The spouses thus find themselves side by side. And once every 60 years, a wooden statuette is taken from the dragon shrine with all kinds of honors, which is then transported to the statue of Bente on the island.
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Nine Headed Dragon
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This creature from Asinoko has a very different fate. It is thought to be a very ancient animal that from time immemorial would venture out to the lakeshore and devour the children of the surrounding villages. No one could resist the voracious monster, until there appeared in those areas devout priest named Managan. Dragon hunters often appear in eastern lore, and every time, in addition to courage, they have ingenuity. And the Shinto acolyte possessed not only the word of God, but also working magic. With the help of magic charms the hero managed to tame the dragon and chained him to the trunk of a huge tree growing at the bottom of the lake. More than a thousand years have passed, and no one has seen a voracious dragon come ashore since.
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The patron saint of family happiness
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For some unknown reason the nine-headed dragon is considered the patron saint of matchmaking, and now twice a year - on the Japanese holiday of all lovers Tanabata and the Western Valentine's Day - unmarried Japanese women rush to the shore of Lake Ashinoko to ask the magical creature for good luck in his private life. On the 13th of each month, a service is held at the shrine of the dragon, during which all those who wish to find marital happiness ask for the deity's protection.
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Healing Tears
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Japan is famous for similar legends. Most interestingly, the creators of the legends believed that the evil monster could very well be re-educated. It is believed, for example, that the inhabitant of Lake Ashinoko has long repented of his criminal deeds and weeps bitterly when he remembers them. But there is no one to unkindle the dragon, because Managan died long ago. The tears of the fairy creature are considered healing, so the waters of Ashinoko are attributed medicinal properties. Some Japanese come to this region to heal from illnesses and wounds. Even the path along which the dragon climbed out of the lake has been preserved. Lake torii sanctuaries are now erected over it.
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Ryujin
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Ryujin, or Watatsumi no kami, is the god of the water element, the dragon. He is considered the good patron saint of Japan. Many glorious feats are attributed to the fabled creature. For example, he once saved Japan from the Mongol invasion: he caused a hurricane and sank the enemy fleet. In the netsuke, the dragon is depicted as a gray-haired old man in imperial attire. But a much different appearance is popular: Ryujin, bare to the waist, bearded and long-haired, holds a pearl in his hand that controls the tides, and a huge dragon or octopus is nestled behind the god's back.
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The Japanese believe that Ryujin possesses great wealth and is the most powerful being in the whole world. He lives at the bottom of the sea, but sometimes transforms into a man and visits people. His attentions are supposedly enjoyed by the most attractive women in the country. The children of the dragon are very beautiful: they have green eyes and black hair. They also possess black magic.
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The legend of Ryujin
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There are many legends about the dragon. It is said, for example, that once two gods (the fisherman Ho'eri-no Mikoto and the hunter Ho'eri-no Mikoto) decided to swap trades to see if they could master an unfamiliar craft. They were siblings and loved to compete on any occasion. Hori-no Mikoto drowned his brother's magic hook while fishing. In order to recover the loss, the hero had to go down to the seabed. There he met Toyotama-bime no Mikoto, Ryujin's daughter, fell in love and married her. It was not until three years later that the hapless fisherman remembered why he had come. The sea god quickly found the hook and gave it to his son-in-law. He also gave Hoori no Mikoto two pearls, one controlling the tides and the other controlling the ebb. The hero returned to earth, made peace with his brother, and lived happily ever after with his beautiful wife.
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Yamato no Orochi
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Japanese folklore mentions another formidable dragon, which could not be fixed - had to be destroyed. It is said that in the southern part of Honshu Island, in the Izumo region, an indomitable monster named Yamato no Orochi was rampaging. One family was particularly unlucky-it had eight daughters, and every year the fabulous creature would kidnap and eat one of them. The description of the dragon is that it was horrible. The red-eyed, eight-headed monster was exceptionally large: it was eight hills and eight valleys long. It also had eight tails, and trees and moss grew on the monster's back. The dragon's belly was always engulfed in fire and no one could resist its atrocities. When only one daughter remained in the unfortunate parents' home, Susanoo no Mikoto (the local god) came to them and offered help. In return, he demanded the hand of the daughter he had saved. Of course, the old men agreed, and the god instructed them to do as follows. He had a large quantity of sake brewed, which he then poured into eight large barrels. Susano-no Mikoto then placed the liquor on elevations surrounded by a high fence. An opening was made in each of them for a dragon's head. The serpent, who was apparently partial to sake, did not smell a trick and drank the prepared treat of each head. He immediately got drunk and fell asleep, which allowed the cunning god to chop him to pieces. Then Susanoo no Mikoto took the rescued girl as his wife, and in one of the dragon's tails he discovered Kusanagi's sword, which possessed magical properties. The object later became one of the symbols of the Imperial
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Ryo Wo.
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Dragon legend has it that many dragons have luxurious palaces at the bottom of the sea, as befits a powerful sea god. Ryo Wo has such a large dwelling that all drowned people can fit in it. This dragon is distinguished by nobility and wisdom. He is the patron saint of the Shinto faith. The Japanese believe that this creature has great power and can travel around the world. He is also very handsome and clever. Ryo Wo sometimes doesn't mind playing with the clouds and thereby causing rain or a hurricane. Another of his weaknesses are pearls. He is also very willing to play with clouds to cause rain or hurricanes.
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Famous Dragons
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The heritage of dragons in Japan is large and varied. In addition to the most famous ones, there are other lesser known ones in the land of the rising sun. Here are some of them:
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۞ Fuku Riu, the dragon that brings good luck. It can hardly be called fierce, so it is a dream of every Japanese to meet him. It's a creature that symbolizes good luck, prosperity, and abundance.
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۞ Sui Riu - a dragon that can cause rain. And it comes in blood-red color and can portend disaster.
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۞ Han Riu is a colorful dragon. His body is decorated with stripes of nine different colors. In addition, its body is 40 feet long. This creature is forever striving for heaven, but can never reach it.
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۞ Ka Riu is a small dragon of scarlet color. He is only seven feet long, but his body is always ablaze with bright flames.
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۞ Ri Riu is a sighted dragon. He can see a hundred miles around.
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۞ Benten is a Japanese goddess. According to legend, she sometimes descends from heaven on a nameless dragon and stops the misdeeds of other fairy creatures.
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۞ Kinryu is a gold-colored dragon.
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۞ Kiyo is a female creature. This dragon was originally an attractive waitress, later reborn and now considered the patron of innkeepers.
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۞ O Goncho is a white dragon, a fierce and hungry beast. He hunts with his brother, the red Uwibami. He attacks humans and eats large men.
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Shrines and Altars of Japanese Dragons
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Dragon shrines are found in all prefectures of Japan. They are usually located on the shores of seas and rivers, as these creatures are aquatic animals. In Japan's inland sea there is the famous Temple Island. It is visited to meditate and pray to the great dragons. The descendants of these legendary creatures are said to become rulers. Sculptures depicting dragons decorate the outside of Buddhist temples and castles in Japan. They symbolize all the obstacles and difficulties one must overcome in order to subsequently attain enlightenment.
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Dance of the golden dragon
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In Akasusa, at the Sensoji Temple, a symbolic golden dragon dances each year for the cheering crowd. It is present during the ceremonial parade and then returns to the shrine with honors. First, people throw coins into the lattice of the temple and try to touch the dragon for good luck. The symbol of the animal is then carried outside, where it "dances" in front of the cheering crowd. This annual festival is held in honor of the discovery in 628 of the temple of the goddess Kanon, a symbol of mercy. The shrine was discovered by two fishermen brothers fishing on the Sumida River. According to legend, they recognized the temple because two golden dragons flew out of there. The celebration is held to attract good fortune for the coming year.
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"Black Dragon."
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The Black Dragon is a symbol of restlessness and retribution. It is believed that before World War II there was an influential secret society in Japan. It was headed by Minister of Military Affairs Tojo, a man who dreamed of starting a war with the United States and winning it. The organization was called the Black Dragon. Japan was then trying to assert its military superiority over other countries. Members of the terrorist organization committed a number of high-profile murders, working their way to power. According to some reports, World War II in the Pacific began because of the activities of this society, as it included members of the nobility who hated the United States fiercely. Tojo eventually became the sole dictator of Japan, but his power did not last long. The FBI is still investigating the activities of the Black Dragon organization and finds more and more evidence of its crimes.
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Now you know that Japanese mythology is a centuries-old cultural heritage. Dragons in the land of the rising sun continue to be deified. They are worshipped far more than real animals. For example, Japanese Yakuza consider this strange creature their patron and not only wear tattoos depicting him, but also decorate their homes with his statues. In Japanese mythology, dragon hunters are a rare phenomenon. In fact in the local legends they, more often than not, do not look like ferocious monsters from children's fairy tales and you can always come to an agreement with them. A man who managed to please such a creature can forever find happiness, wealth and longevity.
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Colored dragons
The Japanese dragon is a very unpredictable creature. He can change his appearance, size, shape, and even become invisible. Legendary animals are distinguished by their color. This is perhaps their only constant attribute. Each color has its own meaning. The golden dragon brings happiness, wealth and good luck. Blue (or green) symbolizes spring, a meeting with him promises good luck and good health. Red denotes strength, activity, tempest and summer. Black dragon represents winter, north, storm, revenge and anxiety. White is associated with mourning, autumn and death.
Watatsumi no kami.
Ryujin or Watatsumi-no-kami is a water god and dragon. He is considered the good patron saint of Japan. Many glorious feats are attributed to the fabled creature. For example, he once saved Japan from the Mongol invasion: he caused a hurricane and sank the enemy fleet. In the netsuke, the dragon is depicted as a gray-haired old man in imperial attire. But a much different appearance is popular: Ryujin, bare to the waist, bearded and long-haired, holds a pearl in his hand that controls the tides, and a huge dragon or octopus is nestled behind the god's back.
The Japanese believe that Ryujin possesses great wealth and is the most powerful being in the whole world. He lives at the bottom of the sea, but sometimes transforms into a man and visits people. His attentions are supposedly enjoyed by the most attractive women in the country. The children of the dragon are very beautiful: they have green eyes and black hair. They also have black magic.
Japanese dragons
The Japanese dragon is the personification of a variety of divine powers. This fabulous creature can be evil and good, noble and treacherous. The Japanese dragon is associated with water, which, owing to its power and unpredictability, personifies the terrible energy of the mighty animal.
The Japanese dragon differs from the Chinese dragon, first of all, by its physiological features. The fact is that the number of claws, tails and heads in these creatures is different. The Japanese monster has only three claws. Scientists link this fact to the fact that earlier in China, too, the dragon looked the same. Moreover, by its image it embodied the power and strength of the country. However, after the conquest of China, the Mongols put their dragon on a pedestal, which already had four claws as a sign that he is much more powerful than his predecessor. When the Chinese gained their independence, they did everything they could to forget the Mongol rule. They modified their dragon once again by giving it another claw. Naturally, all these metamorphoses did not affect the Japanese dragon. He came as a three-toed dragon from China, and remains so.
The Japanese dragon is a very unpredictable creature. It can change its appearance, size, shape and even become invisible. Legendary animals are distinguished by their color. This is perhaps their only constant attribute. Each color has its own meaning. The golden dragon brings happiness, wealth and good luck. Blue (or green) symbolizes spring, a meeting with him promises good luck and good health. Red denotes strength, activity, tempest and summer. Black dragon represents winter, north, storm, revenge and anxiety. White is associated with mourning, autumn, and death.
Ryujin or Watatsumi no kami is the god of the water element, the dragon. He is considered the good patron saint of Japan. Many glorious feats are attributed to the fabled creature. For example, he once saved Japan from the Mongol invasion: he caused a hurricane and sank the enemy fleet. In the netsuke, the dragon is depicted as a gray-haired old man in imperial attire. But a much different appearance is popular: Ryujin, bare to the waist, bearded and long-haired, holds a pearl in his hand that controls the tides, and a huge dragon or octopus is nestled behind the god's back. The Japanese believe that Ryujin possesses great wealth and is the most powerful being in the whole world. He lives at the bottom of the sea, but sometimes transforms into a man and visits people. His attentions are supposedly enjoyed by the most attractive women in the country. The children of the dragon are very beautiful: they have green eyes and black hair. They also possess black magic.
Dragon legend has it: many of them have luxurious palaces at the bottom of the sea, as befits a powerful sea god. Ryo Wo has such a spacious dwelling that all drowned people can fit in it. This dragon is distinguished by nobility and wisdom. He is the patron saint of the Shinto faith. The Japanese believe that this creature has great power and can travel all over the world. He is also very beautiful and intelligent. Ryo Wo sometimes doesn't mind playing with the clouds and thereby causing rain or a hurricane. Another of his weaknesses are his pearls. For the sake of a rare specimen dragon Japanese is capable of much. Famous dragons The heritage of dragons in Japan is large and varied.
Dragon sanctuaries are found in every prefecture in Japan. They are usually located on the shores of seas and rivers, because these creatures are aquatic animals. In the inland sea of Japan, there is the famous Temple Island. It is visited to meditate and pray to the great dragons. The descendants of these legendary creatures, according to legend, become rulers. Sculptures depicting dragons decorate the exterior of Buddhist temples and castles in Japan. They symbolize all the obstacles and difficulties one must overcome in order to attain enlightenment.
The Legend of Ryujin
There are many legends about this dragon. It is said, for example, that two gods (the fisherman Hoderi-no Mikoto and the hunter Hori-no Mikoto) once decided to swap trades to see if they could master an unfamiliar craft. They were siblings and loved to compete on any occasion. Hori-no Mikoto drowned his brother's magic hook while fishing. In order to recover the loss, the hero had to go down to the seabed. There he met Toyotama-bime no Mikoto, Ryujin's daughter, fell in love and married her. It was not until three years later that the hapless fisherman remembered why he had come. The sea god quickly found the hook and gave it to his son-in-law. He also gave Hoori no Mikoto two pearls, one controlling the tides and the other controlling the ebb. The hero returned to earth, made peace with his brother, and lived happily ever after with his beautiful wife.
Ryo Wo
Dragon legend has it that many dragons have luxurious palaces at the bottom of the sea, as a powerful sea god is supposed to. Ryo Wo has such a spacious dwelling that all drowned humans can fit in it. This dragon is distinguished by nobility and wisdom. He is the patron saint of the Shinto faith. The Japanese believe that this creature has great power and can travel around the world. He is also very handsome and intelligent. Ryo Wo sometimes doesn't mind playing with the clouds and thus causing rain or a hurricane. Another of his weaknesses are his pearls. For the sake of a rare specimen, the Japanese dragon is capable of much.
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Myths and Legends * Dragons * Korea and Japan
Dragons of Korea and Japan
Japanese dragon, Chinese school, 19th century
Korean dragon king Yongwan One-headed winged Korean dragon king Yongwang dwells in a beautiful underwater palace. His chambers are so spacious that the sun descends into them at night, and the moon at daytime. Among Yonwan's many treasures, the most important is the magic pearl, which grants any wish and protects him from danger. Although Yonwan lives underwater, he can also move easily on land, and sometimes he flies up into the sky. It happens infrequently and heralds a change in the emperor's dynasty-that is, it used to herald it in the old days, when Korea was still ruled by emperors. Now, of course, that belief doesn't count. But Koreans still believe that seeing Yongwon in a dream is a sign of good fortune. If you draw water from the well where the king of dragons laid an egg, the house will be prosperous for a year. There is another Korean omen, beautifully called "dragon plowing". In winter, the water bodies in Korea are covered with ice. But the climate there is quite warm, often even in winter the sun shines, and the thawed ice looks like a ploughed field. The people have long believed that this was the work of Yonvan. If the grooves on ice go from south to north, it means a good year. If it's west to east, it's a bad year. In different directions, average. So, thanks to the dragon king in Korea, you can easily predict the future harvest.
Japanese dragon Tatsu-maki "Tats-maki - the terror of good people," Aimé Humbert, a Swiss diplomat, wrote from Japan in the middle of the last century. "It is a huge dragon, for the most part hiding in caves at the bottom of the sea; but sometimes it rises to the surface of the sea and suddenly rises into the sky; the confusion which it thus produces in the air causes the pernicious phenomenon known as tithon, or tornado." This probably refers to a typhoon.
Japanese dragon Yamata no orochi Japanese dragon Yamata no orochi For eight years in a row he terrified the country of Izumo, southwest of Honshu Island, Japan, at the head of the Hee River. He especially tormented one family, stealing and devouring one daughter each year from an old man and an old woman. They could not resist him, for the dragon was too frightening. In the ancient Japanese manuscript Nihongi, the name of the dragon is marked with ideograms that translate as "serpent-inspired, eight-tailed, eight-headed. Yamata no oroti is described as follows: "His eyes are like cherry berries, he has a body with eight heads and eight tails, and moss and trees grow on him. The body of the dragon covers eight valleys and eight hills, and its belly is bloody and engulfed in flames." And so, when the last, eighth daughter of the old men was to go to be eaten by the monster, the divine hero Susanoono mikoto descended from heaven to help the poor family and all the people of Izumo. He ordered more sake, Japanese vodka, to be brewed, and poured the drink into eight large barrels. He placed the barrels on a mound, each surrounded by a fence; there was an opening in each fence for each of the dragon-heads. Yamata no orochi, smelling the enticing scent, crawled over and began to drink from eight barrels at once. After draining them to the bottom, he became intoxicated and fell asleep, and then the cunning hero fearlessly approached the dragon and chopped it into small pieces.
Yamata no Orochi (Orochi)
So the rescued girl did not go to the dragon, but to the hero Susanoo. Not only that, in the middle tail of the monster Susanoo found the miraculous sword of Kusanagi, which later became one of the sacred symbols of imperial power in Japan. The images of the mythological dragon were often used to decorate Japanese swords and scabbards.
The Japanese dragon Ryu resembles Chinese and Korean dragons, but with three claws instead of four. They are benevolent (with some exceptions) and can grant wishes. Rarely found in Japanese mythology. The Japanese believed that their dragons were so powerful that they traveled all over the world. They, unlike Chinese dragons, have three fingers, and it is believed that Chinese dragons descended from them (although the Chinese themselves believe that the opposite is true). The strongest and most powerful creatures on Earth, after the gods. Very beautiful, endowed with great knowledge and wisdom. They symbolize wealth, water and wisdom. Unlike European dragons, their bodies are long and thin, they are devoid of wings, and the head resembles the head of a horse with a huge mustache and without ears, with two horns. Dragons love to play with clouds and cause showers and hurricanes. They are famous for their wealth and generosity. Dragons adore pearls, and would do anything for a rare pearl.
Series of posts "Dragons":
Part 1 - Myths and Legends * Dragons Part 2 - Myths and Legends * Dragons * Ouroboros ... Part 6 - Myths and Legends * Dragons * Leviathan Part 7 - Myths and Legends * Dragons * Typhon or Titon Part 8 - Myths and Legends * Dragons * Dragons * Korea and Japan Part 9 - Myths and Legends * Dragons * Wonder-Judo Part 10 - Myths and Legends * Dragons * Snake Gorynych Part 11 - Myths and Legends * Dragons * Dolphin
Famous dragons
The heritage of dragons in Japan is large and varied. In addition to the most famous, there are others in the land of the rising sun that are less well known. Here are some of them:
- Fuku Riu - the dragon that brings good luck. It can hardly be called fierce, so it is a dream of every Japanese to meet him. After all, this creature symbolizes good luck, prosperity and abundance.
- Sui Riu - dragon, which can cause rain. And it comes blood-red color and may portend disaster.
- Han Riu - colored dragon. Its body is decorated with stripes of nine different colors. In addition, its body is 40 feet long. This creature forever aspires to the heavens, but can never reach them.
- Ka Riu is a small dragon of scarlet color. It is only seven feet long, but its body is always ablaze with bright flames.
- Ri Riu is a sighted dragon. He can see up to 100 miles around.
- Benten is a Japanese goddess. According to legend, she sometimes descends from heaven on a nameless dragon and stops the misdeeds of other fabulous creatures.
- Kinryu is a dragon of golden color.
- Kiyo is a female creature. Originally this dragon was an attractive waitress, later reborn and now considered the patron of innkeepers.
- O Goncho is a white dragon, a fierce and ever hungry monster. He hunts with his brother, the red Uwibami. That one attacks humans and feeds on large men.
Styles and colors
The Japanese dragon (the sketch of which a good master can make to order, giving it uniqueness) is performed in different styles and different colors.
The image of the dragon, depending on the place of application and its subject line may have a certain meaning. The main features of deciphering the meaning of the tattoo is the color palette.
Each shade brought in the sketch has certain distinctive features and assumes a characteristic:
| Predominant color in the tattoo | Meaning definition |
| Black | Causes respect |
| Blue and blue | Eternal life and compassion |
| Yellow | Militancy |
| Red | Health, strength, passion and love |
| Green | Down-to-earth |
| Golden | Wisdom |
As a rule, colorful, saturated and bright drawings prefer to apply to the girl's body, men's tattoos are performed in a more restrained, sometimes in black and white.
The image of the fictional dragon snake is applied to the body in almost any style that exists nowadays.
Examples of tattoos and their characteristics.
Watercolor
The most romantic and delicate tattoo, emphasizing the touching individuality. It is performed in different colors and can combine funny images and objects that do not match each other.
When performed in the style of watercolor dragon can seem bright and iridescent, and is accompanied by fairy tale creatures.
Minimalism
The style is characterized by simplicity, elegance and brevity.
Usually in addition to the dragon on the sketch there can be symbolic signs, book illustrations, flowers or images of cartoon animals.
Miniature
A miniature is a small size tattoo, located on a small area of the body.
It is not conspicuous and is distinguished by the elegance of the painting.
Realism
Realistic tattoos are characterized by the vividness of the image.
They are executed in a variety of colors and are as similar to the original as possible. In the realism style, fairy tale characters are often stuffed in addition to the dragon.
New skool.
Quite a modern style.
Its main elements are: fictional humoresques, abstractionism and characters from fantasy.
Sketch of a Japanese dragon tattoo in the New skool style.
The tattoos are applied in bright colors and from the side appear to be three-dimensional.
Bioorganic
Japanese dragon (the sketch of which can be performed in the style of bioorganic) in this version will look very original. Such a tattoo is applied by a saturated color and is distinguished by the bright elaboration of shadows and the contours of the lines. It has a rich and dense coloring and as a rule, the picture is improvised.
This is a completely new and original direction in which the selected area of the skin becomes the background of the image, allowing the drawing itself to be seen through it.
Ethnography
A dragon tattoo in this style will be distinguished by a visible volume.
Sketches are usually taken from cultures: Indian, Celtic, Polynesian, Majori or Mayan.
Ornamental .
The style features pronounced distinct lines. When making a tattoo there may be used symbols, spirals, straight lines, broken geometric elements or knots.
Also, it may have a variety of mythical creatures, vegetation, sea creatures, the moon or the sun.
Polynesia
The Japanese dragon tattoo sketch can be done in the Polynesian style. It is a mixture of curved lines that intersect and curl in a spiral and have a symmetrical shape relative to each other.
As a rule, images of plants, sea animals or mythical creatures are used in the drawing.
Old School.
This style is the most popular in Europe and the United States. Tattoos with skulls, anchors, angels and ribbons are performed in this style. Sketches are printed in very bright colors and bordered with black stripes.
The style is quite popular when applying the dragon, it is also used when doing a small thematic plot.
Dotwork
Dotwork is a tattoo caused by numerous dots, thanks to which the contrast, density of padding and shade of pattern are formed.
When performing the dragon sketch, it is most often used for additional padding on the body.
Blackwork .
Represents a pattern applied with black paint. This style is perfectly combined with other styles, the most successful it turns out with Dotwork.
Usually such tattoos are supplemented with geometric figures, ornaments or religious patterns.
Temples and Altars
Dragon shrines are found in all prefectures of Japan. They are usually located on the shores of seas and rivers, because these creatures are aquatic animals. In Japan's inland sea there is the famous Temple Island. It is visited to meditate and pray to the great dragons. The descendants of these legendary creatures are said to become rulers. Sculptures depicting dragons decorate the outside of Buddhist temples and castles in Japan. They symbolize all the obstacles and difficulties one must overcome in order to subsequently attain enlightenment.
Dance of the golden dragon
In Akasusa, at the Sensoji Temple, a symbolic golden dragon dances each year for the cheering crowd. It is present during the ceremonial parade and then returns to the shrine with honors. First, people throw coins into the lattice of the temple and try to touch the dragon for good luck. The symbol of the animal is then carried outside, where it "dances" in front of the cheering crowd. This annual festival is held in honor of the discovery in 628 of the temple of the goddess Kanon, a symbol of mercy. The shrine was discovered by two fishermen brothers fishing on the Sumida River. According to legend, they recognized the temple because two golden dragons flew out of there. The celebration is held in order to attract good luck for the whole coming year.
Where best to apply the dragon tattoo
Without any doubt, wh.he more will be the dragon tattoo, the more emotions it will cause, so it is worth to consider big enough places, for example: the back or chest. But it is not necessary to be hung up on the fact that the snake must be necessarily large, because It is possible to make a small tattoo, more intimate, which will look as unusual, for this is worth considering such places as: shoulders, hips, shoulders, arms and calves. The dragon tattoo is universal, it is suitable for absolutely everyone, ie as men and women.
One more small point.
A lot depends on who or how you want to depict a dragon, for example:
If the dragon in the sketch is calm, the tattoo means calm and inner balance, harmony. If the dragon opens its mouth or there is a grin, it indicates leadership and aggression. If the dragon flies over the mountains or simply aims upwards it means openness and aspiration in life. If, on the contrary, the dragon aims down, it suggests hostility and aggression.
If the dragon and tiger are equal in size, it indicates harmony, but if the tiger is bigger than the dragon or defeats him, it speaks of anger and rage. If the dragon defeats the tiger, it indicates tranquility and goodness.
Thanks to the dragon tattoo, the girl will be able to emphasize her femininity and sexuality, she is clearly a strong man. Men dragon tattoo will help look more dangerous and masculine. Girls best of all stuffed dragon tattoo on the wrist, shoulders or lower back, and guys best of all stuffed dragon tattoo on the hands, sipnu and chest.
"Black Dragon."
As mentioned above, the black dragon is a symbol of anxiety and retribution. It is assumed that before the outbreak of World War II there was an influential secret society in Japan. It was headed by Minister of Military Affairs Tojo, a man who dreamed of starting a war with the United States and winning it. The organization was called the Black Dragon. Japan was then trying to assert its military superiority over other countries. Members of the terrorist organization committed a number of high-profile murders, working their way to power. According to some reports, World War II in the Pacific began because of the activities of this society, as it included members of the nobility who hated the United States fiercely. Tojo eventually became the sole dictator of Japan, but his power did not last long. The FBI is still studying the activities of the Black Dragon and finds more and more evidence of its crimes.
Now you know that Japanese mythology is a centuries-old cultural heritage. Dragons in the land of the rising sun continue to be deified. They are worshipped much more than real animals. For example, Japanese Yakuza consider this strange creature their patron and not only wear tattoos depicting him, but also decorate their homes with his statues. In Japanese mythology, dragon hunters are a rare phenomenon. In fact in the local legends they, more often than not, do not look like ferocious monsters from children's fairy tales and you can always come to an agreement with them. And a person who managed to please such a creature can forever find happiness, wealth and longevity.
The most famous dragons from ancient legends and lore
In all countries, children love to hear tales of dragons, and the Chinese and Japanese emperors of the past even believed that they were descendants of dragons. In different cultures around the world, dragons are not like each other. They can be fearful or kind, creators or destroyers.
In Asia there are stories of magnanimous dragons. Respect and generous offerings are all they need. And in Europe live fire-breathing dragons that demand human sacrifice. As a rule, dragons are revered in the East and feared in the West.
Dragons occupy our imagination for many reasons. First, they spew tongues of flame. They are the only creatures that can shoot, or more simply, spit fire. This is just one of the remarkable features of these creatures that live on in legends and myths around the globe. Second, some of them can fly.
In a world where everything seems to have been explored and entered into scientific catalogs and registries, dragons remain only in fairy tales. We know little of them, and so we have no choice but to look into ancient manuscripts, to gather folklore, or to believe the stories of those who claim to have encountered them in person.
Apalala
Apalala is a powerful naga (divine serpent) in Hindu mythology, a water dragon who controls the rains and rivers. Apalala is a wise and cunning dragon, he did not allow evil dragons to make terrible downpours and floods. The people of those places were grateful to the dragon for his protection and abundant crops.
Apalala lived in the Swat River, now in Pakistan.
Every year the peasants paid tribute of grain to Apalala and honored him. But after a few years without devastating floods, some people stopped paying their annual tribute to Apalala. This neglect angered Apalala, and he turned into a ferocious dragon. He began to frighten the people and destroyed all the crops with torrential rains and floods.
One day Buma came to Apalala's land and felt pity for the people whose crops had been destroyed by the angry dragon. The Buddha spoke to Apalala and persuaded him not to send floods into the land.
Apalala accepted the bumism and promised not to be angry again. He only asked that one harvest be given to him every twelve years. So every twelfth year it rains heavily on the land, and Apalala receives a rain-drenched harvest as a gift.
After Apalala embraced bumism, he created as much rain every year as necessary to produce a rich harvest. The well-being of all the peasants depended on Apalala's disposition.
Wyvern
The wyvern is a dragon from medieval European legends (mostly the countries of Scandinavia, Germany, England and France). It is one of the most brutal creatures, with its foul-smelling, fiery breath and terrible fangs. With its snake-like scaly tail with spikes, it destroys entire villages and strangles its victims in the rings of its tail.
Despite its imposing size, it maneuvers easily through the air, so it is almost inaccessible to arrows. When attacked from the air, it spews flame and kills with a single movement of its leathery wings, each of which is like the sail of a ship.
The only way to destroy a wyvern is to wound it in one of two vulnerable places: at the base of its tail or in its open mouth.
The wyvern in medieval miniatures
The wyvern guarded a treasure that attracted many adventurers. The formidable beast possessed a massive treasure trove of gold, silver and precious stones. He collected it all his long life, sowing fear and destruction.
The treasure had been dreamed of by many greedy treasure hunters, but they found nothing but death in the beast's lair. To kill a wyvern and achieve greatness, a hero must be incredibly strong, brave and lucky. Only after the battle-weary hero was convinced that the dragon was dead could he rejoice in his prey.
Beowulf's Dragon
In the area of Heorot in southern Sweden, a terrifying dragon, a fire-breathing creature fifteen meters long, is coiled up in a cave under a gray rock. The dragon guards its lair filled with piles of priceless treasures. With its powerful body it shields them from the sun's rays, which must not illuminate the gold and silver utensils, precious stones, pearls and gold coins stored in the depths of the cave.
If a thief steals a golden goblet from its lair, the dragon becomes enraged and flies around, burning everything in its path. The dragon blows out flames that light up the sky, intimidating the villagers and setting fire to houses and crops in Gautland.
Beowulf, king of the Gauts, armed with a magic sword, led his army into battle with the dragon. Beowulf struck the dragon with his sword, but the blade only slid across the monster's dense hide. The flames from the dragon's mouth engulfed Beowulf, it looked so terrifying that his army ran from the battlefield.
Only the faithful servant Wiglaf remained with his master. Beowulf brought the blade of his magic sword down on the dragon's head. The dragon bit Beowulf in the neck, but, bleeding, he continued to fight. Wiglaf wounded the dragon in a vulnerable place, and Beowulf cut the monster in half.
Thus ended the life of the terrible dragon. But after the battle, Beowulf himself died from his wounds, and the dragon's treasure was taken out of the cave and buried with Beowulf. The body of the dragon was hacked to pieces and thrown into the sea.
The Dragon of Krak.
A Polish legend tells that in a dark cave at the foot of Wawel Hill on the bank of the Vistula River lived a terrible dragon. Every day he flew around the neighborhood, scaring the inhabitants of the town. The fire-breathing dragon devoured animals and people. Everyone who crossed his path immediately became his prey.
The dragon even ate small children he encountered, robbed homes, and took valuables to his cave. Many brave knights tried to kill this dragon, but died in its flames. The dragon's daily raids became a real disaster. The people of these places grew poorer day by day, and the king promised half the kingdom to the one who would defeat the dragon.
According to the oldest version of this legend (12 century) to save the city from the monster, a certain Krak sent his two sons, Krak and Lech, to kill the dragon. The sons could not defeat the serpent in a duel, so they went for a trick. They stuffed the skin of a cow with sulfur, and after swallowing this stuffed animal, the dragon suffocated.
After the monster died, the brothers quarreled over which of them owned the victory. One of the brothers killed the other, and upon returning to the castle, said that the other brother had fallen in battle with the dragon. However, after Krak's death, the brother-killer's secret was uncovered and he was banished from the country.
Jan Dlugosz (born at the beginning of the 15th century) in his chronicle attributed the victory over the dragon to the king himself, and transferred the fratricide to the time when Krak had already died. Another version of the legend (16th century), belonging to Joachim of Bielsk, states that the dragon was defeated by the shoemaker Skuba. He planted a calf stuffed with sulfur on the monster. The dragon, who had eaten the calf, began to have such a burning sensation in his throat that he drank half the Vistula and burst.
The Dragon of St. George
In a legend, established in Europe in the 12th century, it is said that near a spring near the city of Cyrene in Libya there lived a bloodthirsty dragon. Some brave men tried to kill it, but failed. The inhabitants of Cyrene were forced to bring him two sheep every day in order to draw water without hindrance. Then the dragon demanded that young girls be given to him to eat.
Each day the people drew lots, and the next victim was sent to the dragon crying. On the twelfth day the lot fell to the king's daughter, and her father fell into despair. He offered the townspeople all his wealth and half his kingdom if they would spare his daughter, but the townspeople refused.
The princess was tied to a pillar near a spring. Then the young warrior George appeared and freed her from her bonds. Riding on horseback St. George rushed into battle with the dragon. His spear penetrated deeply into the body of the beast, but did not kill it, but only wounded it.
Throwing the princess's belt on him, St. George led the wounded dragon into the city. Here he announced to the townspeople that he would put an end to the dragon only if they accepted Christianity. The townspeople agreed and St. George cut the dragon into a thousand pieces. For his victory over the terrible serpent he became known as the Victorious One.
The Serpent Gorynych
This ruthless dragon of Russian legends and fairy tales has three fire-breathing heads and seven tails. Gorynych the Serpent moves on two paws, sometimes he describes two small front paws, like a Tyrannosaurus. His iron claws can tear apart any shield or chainmail. The air around the Serpent Gorynych smells of sulfur, which is a sign that he is evil.
One day he stole Zabava Putyatishna, the niece of Kievan Prince Vladimir, and held her captive in one of his twelve caves that he had made in a high mountain. The grief-stricken prince offered a great reward to the one who would save the girl. No one willingly wanted to fight the monster, and then Prince Vladimir ordered the warrior Dobryne Nikitich to go to battle.
They fought for three days and three nights, and the serpent began to defeat Dobrynya. The warrior remembered about the magic seven-tailed whip given to him by his mother, snatched it and started whipping the Snake between the ears. Gorynych the Serpent fell to his knees, and Dobrynya pressed him to the ground with his left hand and whip with his right hand.
He tamed him and cut off all three heads, and then went to look for Zabava Putyatishna. He freed many prisoners from eleven caves, and in the twelfth cave he found Zabava Putyatishna, chained by golden chains to the wall. He tore off the chains and took the maiden out of the cave.
The Snake Gorynych had numerous offspring - little serpents, which lived "in a clear field" and which were trampled by the horse epic hero. Other characters of Russian folk tales are similar to Gorynych - Tugarin Snake and Fire Snake.
In Russian mythology there are other stories associated with the Serpent Gorynych. In one of the fairy tales, the Serpent Gorynych serves at the merchant's son Ivan, and then, conspiring with his wife, kills Ivan, but dies himself.
Naker
Naker was a terrifying dragon who lived in a water pit near Lyminster, in the English county of West Sussex. At night he flew to the farms of Lyminster in search of sustenance. He stole horses and cows. Anyone in his path fell prey to him.
The dragon would strangle its prey to death or tear it apart with its poisonous fangs. The strokes of the naker's huge tail sliced through the treetops of Wetward Park. The nightly silence in Lyminster was broken by the hiss and roar of a ravenous dragon.
So many residents and animals were missing in the county that the mayor offered a reward to anyone who would kill the naker and relieve the people of their fear. A village boy named Jim told the mayor about his plan to destroy the dragon. The mayor of Lyminster ordered the villagers to provide Jim with whatever he would need.
An engraving of the dragon from Sussex
The villagers gathered Jim's groceries for a huge pie. Jim baked a giant pie for the naker and added a lot of poison to it. Borrowing a horse and cart, he drove the pie to the dragon's lair. Nucker ate the pie, along with the horse and cart, and then died. After that, Jim cut off the terrible dragon's head with an axe.
The naker that Jim killed was probably the last of its kind. According to local legend, there were once many Nakers living in West Sussex, dwelling on Bignor Hill and in the woods of St. Leonard.
After the last naker died, people showed up at his watery lair and tried to measure the depth of the pit. They took six bell ropes, tied them together, and lowered them into the water. The rope did not reach the bottom, the length of the ropes was not long enough. Subsequently, the water from the hole was used by the locals as healing water.
This is probably some small diameter lake, which was supplied by underwater springs, as streams and rivers did not flow into it. The nucker hole is called "knuckerholes" in English.
Nidhögg
Nidhögg is a mighty dragon from Germanic-Scandinavian mythology. He lives in the realm of darkness called Niflheim or Helheim. The dragon's name means "corpse tearer." Nidhögg eats the dead who enter the underworld.
The dragon is also known to drink the blood of sinners - liars, swearers and murderers. Niflheim becomes the home of these abominable people. It is the darkest, coldest and lowest of the nine worlds of the dead. Nidhögg's home is a pit teeming with poisonous snakes, located near Hvergelmir (the Boiling Cauldron). It is a stream, the source of all the rivers of the world.
Nidhögg had used four snakes to bite through the root of the Yggdrasil tree, the giant ash-tree which connects heaven, earth and the underworld, and as a result war broke out between the gods and the giant monsters. After a terrible three-year winter, the gods won the great battle of Ragnarök. Nidhögg participated in the battle, but was not killed. He survived and returned to the realm of darkness, where he feasted on the bodies of those he had dropped from the battlefield.
Orochi
Every year the fierce Japanese dragon Orochi demanded that a girl be sacrificed to him. Even the bravest warriors could not cope with the evil and treacherous monster. His gigantic body covered eight hills and eight valleys, and his eight heads made it impossible to approach him.
One day Susanoo, god of the sea and storms, met a man and a woman weeping. Seven of their daughters had been eaten by Orothi in the last seven years. They had only one daughter left alive, but now she was to be sacrificed to Orothi. Susanoo offered to kill the dragon if their eighth daughter would become his wife.
Susanoo turned the girl into a comb, which he hid securely in his hair. Then he arranged eight huge vats of rice vodka in a circle. Lured by the smell of the strong drink, Orochi dipped all eight of his heads into the vats and drank greedily.
Then the inebriated dragon fell to the ground and fell asleep. Then Susanoo drew his sword and cut off all eight of Orochi's heads. The water in a nearby river turned red with the blood of the slain monster.
Ryujin
In Japanese mythology, the dragon Ryujin is the god of the sea, lord of the water element. He lives at the bottom of the ocean in a palace of red and white coral, decorated with precious stones. His palace has a snowy winter hall, a spring hall with cherry trees, a summer hall with chirping crickets, and an autumn hall with colorful maple trees.
For a human, one day in the underwater palace of Ryujin is equal to hundreds of years on earth. The dragon-god has faithful servants - sea turtles, fish and jellyfish. Ryujin controls the tides with a magical jewel.
People must approach him with caution because no mortal can see his body fully and endure the sight. When Ryujin becomes angry, a storm breaks out on the sea, bringing doom to the sailors.
Deciding to attack Korea, Empress Jingu asks Ryujin for help. The dragon's envoy brought her two gems, a tidal and an ebb tide. Jingu led the Japanese fleet's campaign to Korea. At sea they were met by Korean battle ships. Jingu threw a tide stone into the water, and the Korean ships ran aground.
As the Korean warriors jumped out of the ships to launch a foot attack, Jingu threw a tidal stone onto the seabed. All the water rushed back and sunk the enemies.
Futsanlun
The dragon, the keeper of hidden treasures, who lives deep underground, is the Chinese Futsanlun. In his lair, he guards all precious stones and metals. Futsanlun is depicted with a magic pearl in his mouth or around his neck. Pearls symbolize wisdom, so they are considered the dragon's main treasure. It took Futsanlun three thousand years to reach its enormous size.
The newly hatched dragon looked like an eel. After five hundred years, Futsanlun's head looked like a carp's head. By the age of fifteen hundred years, the dragon had a long tail, a head with a thick beard, and four short legs with claws. By his two-thousandth birthday, Futsanlong had grown horns.
In Hong Kong (Xianggang), a residential complex was built near the mountain where Futsanlong is said to live. The architects left a free space in the middle of the complex so as not to block Futsanlong's view of the ocean and to keep his good disposition.
Like most Chinese dragons, Futsanlong is generous until he is angered. He must be treated with reverence lest the dragon show his stroppy temper. When Futsanlun takes to the sky, volcanoes awaken.
Hatuivbari
On the island of San Cristobal in Melanesia, there is an ancient belief that the main spirit, the dragon Hatuibwari (also called Agunua) created and nurtured all living things. He has a half-human, half-snake body. Two large wings carry him through the sky, and four eyes allow him to see everything on and under the earth.
One day Hatuibwari kneaded red clay with his hands, breathed on it, and molded a human figure. He put the clay figure in the sun, it came to life, and so the first woman appeared. Then, when the first woman fell asleep, Hatuibwari took out her rib, added some clay and created the first man.
One day Hatuibwari curled rings around his human grandson to comfort and soothe him. When the child's father returned home, he thought he saw a huge serpent strangling his son. The frightened man, not recognizing the dragon as his father-in-law, cut Hatuibwari to pieces with a knife. But the dragon's body parts reunited.
The enraged and offended Hatuibwari declared that he would leave the island and destroy all the crops. Hatuibwari went to live on Guadalcanal Island, and in his absence, everything on San Cristobal fell into disrepair.
Shenlong
In China, Shenlong is a divine dragon who controls the weather. He controls the rains, clouds and wind, which is very important in a country where the inhabitants are mostly engaged in agriculture. Plenty of rain is essential for an abundant harvest. The dragon must be treated with respect and deep reverence.
It is very important not to offend Shenlong, because he gets angry if he feels neglected. Then he sends terrible weather with floods or with droughts, destroying crops on which life in China depends.
Sometimes Shenlong grows tired and retires to rest. He shrinks down to the size of a mouse to hide and not work. If lightning strikes a house or a tree, it means that the thunder god has sent a servant to look for Shenlong.
When Shenlong ascended into the sky, he grew so large that it was impossible to grasp him by sight. He is magnanimous, but irritable. The worst floods in Chinese history were sent by Shenlong after he was insulted by mortals.
