Dragons in Ancient Chinese Mythology: Symbolism, Classification Evolution

I. Core Dragon Classifications & Key Features

1. Azure Dragon (Qinglong)

• Belongs to the "Four Sages," "Four Symbols" (Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise), and "Four Spirits of Heaven," also known as the Green Dragon.
• Represents the east and the color blue, hence its title "Azure Dragon of the Eastern Palace."

2. Hui (虺)

• Recorded in the Shuyi Ji: "The hui transforms into a jiao after five hundred years, and the jiao transforms into a dragon after a thousand years."
• Serves as the juvenile stage of the dragon’s life cycle.

3. Qiu (虬)

• Referred to as 虬龙 (qiúlóng) in ancient texts, meaning a young dragon.
• Defined in the Shuowen Jiezi as "a dragon without horns"—a definition cited in Li Shan’s commentary on the Ganquan Fu

4. Chi (螭)

• A snake-like creature of the dragon family, hornless and dragon-like in form.
• Resembles a dragon but is yellow; known as "dìlǒu" in northern regions.
• Symbolizes beauty, auspiciousness, wealth, and romantic love.

5. Jiao (蛟)

• The first evolution of a qiulong after 500 years, forming a 蛟龙 (jiāolóng).
• Generally described as snake-like with four legs, no horns, and smaller than a fully grown dragon.
• A water dragon inhabiting lakes and deep pools; legend says it ascends to heaven during thunderstorms to become a divine dragon.

6. Horned Dragon (Youjiao Long)

• A dragon with distinct horns, marking the third evolution after 500 years as a true dragon.
• The Shuyi Ji notes: "A Jiaolong transforms into a dragon after a thousand years, and a dragon becomes a horned dragon after five hundred years."
• Represents a significant leap in the dragon’s hierarchical status.

7. Yinglong

• Also called the Flying Dragon or Yellow Dragon, distinguished by wings on its back.
• The fourth and final evolution: a horned dragon grows wings after a thousand years.
• A legendary general of the Yellow Emperor, credited with slaying Chiyou and Kuafu.

8. Fire Dragon (Huolong)

• Documented in the Draft History of the Qing Dynasty as a red dragon associated with fire and destruction.
• Accounts describe it burning houses, vegetation, and appearing in various regions.

9. Coiled Dragon (Panlong)

• A dragon coiled and dormant on the ground, not yet ascended to heaven.
• Common in ancient Chinese architecture (e.g., wrapped around pillars, decorating beams).
• The Taiping Yulan alternatively describes it as a poisonous, bluish-black creature with red stripes.

10. Cloud Dragon (Yunlong)

• Entwined with clouds and mist, as dragon breath is believed to form clouds.
• The cloud dragon pattern merges dragon and cloud motifs, creating a mysterious, interconnected design.

11. Gazing Dragon (Kanjing Long)

• A dragon depicted with its head in profile.

12. Walking Dragon (Xinglong)

• Said to evolve from dragons that reach a advanced stage, following the transformation of carp into jiao and jiao into dragons.

13. Fish Transforming into Dragon (Yulong Bianhua)

• Has a dragon’s head and fish’s body, embodying the "dragon-fish transformation" myth.
• Recorded in the Shuoyuan and illustrated by the folk tale "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate."

14. Mirage Dragon (Hailong)

• Inhabits coastlines or river mouths, capable of creating magnificent illusions (e.g., pavilions, figures) with its breath—known as "mirages."

15. Black Dragon (Heilong)

• The legendary Black Dragon King, ancestor of the North Sea Dragon King, and a black-colored dragon.
• The Huainanzi recounts Nuwa slaying it to save Jizhou from floods, as it was seen as an evil water spirit.

16. Zhulong (Also Zhujiuyin)

• A god-like dragon in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, with a human face and snake’s body, crimson in color, and a thousand miles long.
• Possesses cosmic powers: opening its eyes brings day, closing them brings night; inhaling causes winter, exhaling brings summer.
• Summons wind and rain, and does not eat, sleep, or breathe.