The Domain of the Golden Dragon is an unofficial but highly coveted award of the
United States Navy and the
United States Coast Guard. It is given to crew members of ships which cross the
International Date Line
The International Date Line (IDL) is an internationally accepted demarcation on the surface of Earth, running between the South and North Poles and serving as the boundary between one calendar day and the next. It passes through the Pacific O ...
. A sailor enters the dragon's empire when they cross the International Date Line by sailing west, where Asian nations celebrate the power of the dragon. With the extensive Navy operations in the Far East since (and before) World War II, this passage has become so common that few initiation ceremonies are actually held. But the certificate, decorated with Chinese-style dragon, is still given out.
It is also awarded to dependents travelling together with their Military Sponsor.
This certificate was not only available to American sailors and other military branch members, but was also available to British Sailors when crossing the international date line. The British copies were printed by Gale & Polden Ltd. Portsmouth, England.
See also
*
Line-crossing ceremony
References
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Awards and decorations of the United States Navy