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Bi'an (monster)
The nine sons of the dragon is a traditional name for a set of mythological creatures whose imagery is used in certain types of decorations. The concept was first mentioned by Lu Rong in the Ming Dynasty, although similar set of creatures (not necessarily nine) is recorded even earlier. List of nine sons The oldest known attestation of the children of the dragon list is found in the ''Miscellaneous records from the bean garden'' () by Lu Rong (1436–1494); however, he noted that the list enumerates mere synonyms of various antiques, not children of a dragon. Several Ming Dynasty texts list what were claimed as the Nine Offspring of the Dragon (), and subsequently these feature prominently in popular Chinese stories and writings. There are four principal versions of the list: * Lu Rong's (, 1436–1494) list, which includes 14 creatures * Li Dongyang's (, 1447–1516) list, which includes 9 creatures * Yang Shen's (, 1488–1559) list, which also includes 9 creatures — this ve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinese Mythology
Chinese mythology () is mythology that has been passed down in oral form or recorded in literature throughout the area now known as Greater China. Chinese mythology encompasses a diverse array of myths derived from regional and cultural traditions. Populated with engaging narratives featuring extraordinary individuals and beings endowed with magical powers, these stories often unfold in fantastical mythological realms or historical epochs. Similar to numerous other mythologies, Chinese mythology has historically been regarded, at least partially, as a factual record of the past. Along with Chinese folklore, Chinese mythology forms an important part of Chinese folk religion and Taoism, especially older popular forms of it. Many narratives recounting characters and events from ancient times exhibit a dual tradition: one that presents a more historicized or euhemerized interpretation, and another that offers a more mythological perspective. Numerous myths delve into the creation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinese Dragon
The Chinese dragon or loong is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture generally. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms, such as Bixi (mythology), turtles and Chiwen, fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. Academicians have identified four reliable theories on the origin of the Chinese dragon: Snakes in Chinese mythology, snakes, Chinese alligators, thunder worship and nature worship. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water and weather. Symbolism Historically, the Chinese dragon was associated with the emperor of China and used as a symbol to represent imperial power. Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty, claimed that he was conceived after his mother dreamt of a dragon. During the Tang dynasty, emperors wore robes with dragon motif as an imperial symbol, and high officials might also be presented with dragon robes. In the Yuan dynasty, the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chi (mythology)
''Chi'' ( zh, c=螭, p=''chī'', w=''ch'ih'') means either "a hornless dragon" or "a mountain demon" (namely, ) in Chinese mythology. Hornless dragons were a common motif in ancient Chinese art, and the was an imperial roof decoration in traditional Chinese architecture. Word In Modern Standard Chinese usage, occurs in words such as: *—"hornless dragon"; i.e. making it clear that a dragon and not a demon is being talked about. *—"carved dragon handle (esp. on cups)" *—"a roof ornament shaped like a dragon". Compare the homophonous variant . * or —"an architectural adornment; gargoyle" *—"carved patterns of sinuous dragons (esp. on pillars/bronzes)" *—"steps of the imperial palace; the Emperor" Characters The Chinese character for , combines the "bug radical" (Kangxi radical #142)—typically used in words for insects, reptiles, and dragons—with a phonetic symbol, (). This phonetic element is pronounced either when used for "demon; dragon" or when used fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Central Mint
The Central Mint, known in English before 2004 as the Central Mint of China (CMC), is a subsidiary company of the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The major activities of the mint are minting and melting circulation and commemorative coins, and producing commemorative medals and other kind of casting products for government institutions and businesses in Taiwan. History The mint was originally established as Shanghai Mint in Shanghai in 1920. In 1928, Northern Expedition forces led by the Kuomintang took over Shanghai, and the Shanghai Mint was renamed Central Mint of China and became the subordinate of Ministry of Finance. Australian-Chinese merchant George Kwok Bew was appointed head of the CMC. Kwok was an associate of Sun Yat-sen and also managing director of Wing On. Five years later in 1933, the company started its operation in minting. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the company had to be relocated inland of mainland China in which facilities were s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dragon (zodiac)
The dragon () is the fifth of the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Dragon is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol 辰 (pinyin: ''chén''). It has been proposed that the Earthly Branch character may have been associated with scorpions; it may have symbolized the star Antares. In the Buddhist calendar used in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, the dragon is replaced by the nāga. In the Gurung zodiac, the dragon is replaced by the eagle. In the Old Turkic calendar it is replaced by a fish or crocodile. Early Persian translations of the medieval period change the dragon to a sea serpent, although in current times it is generally referred to as whale. During China's Cultural Revolution, there was an attempt to replace the dragon with the giant panda; however, the movement was short lived. Years and the five elements People born within these date ranges can be said to have been born ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Denglong (mythology)
The Dēnglóng (), or Wàngtiānhǒu (), Cháotiānhǒu (), or simply Hǒu () is a Chinese legendary creature. History Legend has it that Denglong is one of the sons of the Dragon King, and has the habit of guarding. Used on Huabiaos, it symbolises sending the will of heaven to humans, and delivering the conditions of the people to the heavens. There is also legend that says Avalokiteśvara rides on a Denglong, thus the name Chaotianhou. In Accounts of Marvels ({{Zh, c = , s = 述异记, t = 述異記), it recounts Denglong as a creature from East China Sea, it can eat the brains of dragons, hover in mid-air, and is very fierce. When it is in a fight with a dragon, it spews flames for few dozens of feet, and defeats the dragon. In the 25th year of Kangxi, during the summer, 3 Jiaolong and 2 dragons were sighted fighting one Denglong, and after killing a dragon and two Jiaolong, the Denglong was killed and fell to a valley. It was ten or twenty feet long, resembled a hors ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pixiu
Pixiu ( "PEA-show", zh, c=, p=píxiū, w=pʻi2-hsiu1, j=, cy=, sl=, poj=, zhu=, l=, labels=, links=, first=, scase=; ) is a Chinese mythical hybrid creature. Pixiu are considered powerful protectors of the souls of the dead, ''xian'', and feng shui practitioners, and resemble strong, winged lions. A Pixiu is an earth and sea variation, particularly an influential and auspicious creature for wealth, and is said to have a voracious appetite exclusively for gold, silver, and jewels. Therefore, traditionally to the Chinese, Pixiu have always been regarded as auspicious creatures that possessed mystical powers capable of drawing from all directions, and according to the Chinese zodiac, it is especially helpful for those who are going through a bad year. There are two types of Pixiu that are categorised by their antlers. The one with two antlers is the female and is called a , and the one with one antler is the male and is called a ''Tiānlù''. * (; lit. "to ward off evil spiri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Longma
The ''longma'' is a fabled winged horse with dragon scales in Chinese mythology. Seeing a ''longma'' was an omen of a legendary sage-ruler, particularly one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Name The Chinese word ''longma'' combines and . Compare and . In addition to naming the mythic creature, can refer to an eminent person, such as in the four-character idiom . ''Longma'' interconnects traditional Chinese beliefs about dragons and horses. An early example comes from the , which differentiates names for horses of different heights, measured in the (historically around 23–33 centimeters, see Chinese units of measurement). Horses up to 8 feet tall are called , those up to 7 feet are called , and those up to 6 feet are called . The Han dynasty scholar Wang Chong says, "The people paint the dragon's shape with a horse's head and a snake's tail ()." Edward H. Schafer describes the horse's "tremendous importance" to Tang dynasty rulers for military tactics, dip ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Qilin
The qilin ( ; ) is a legendary hooved chimerical creature that appears in Chinese mythology, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or death of a sage or illustrious ruler. Qilin are a specific type of the mythological family of one-horned beasts. The qilin also appears in the mythologies of other Chinese-influenced cultures. Origins The earliest mention of the mythical qilin is in the poem included in the Classic of Poetry (11th – 7th c. BCE). '' Spring and Autumn Annals'' mentioned that a ''lin'' () was captured in the 14th year of Duke Ai of Lu () (481 CE); ''Zuo Zhuan'' credited Confucius with identifying the ''lin'' as such. The bisyllabic form ''qilin'' ( ~ ), which carries the same generic meaning as ''lin'' alone, is attested in works dated to the Warring States period (475–221 BCE). ''Qi'' denotes the male and ''lin'' denotes the female according to ''Shuowen Jiezi''.''SWJZ'Radical 鹿 quote: "" translation: "''Lín'' (): a large female deer. ..'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bixi
Bixi, or Bi Xi (), is a figure from Chinese mythology. One of the nine sons of the Dragon King, he is depicted as a dragon with the shell of a turtle. Stone sculptures of Bixi have been used in Chinese culture for centuries as a decorative plinth for commemorative steles and tablets, particularly in the funerary complexes of its later emperors and to commemorate important events, such as an imperial visit or the anniversary of a World War II victory. They are also used at the bases of bridges and archways. Sculptures of Bixi are traditionally rubbed for good luck, which can cause conservation issues. They can be found throughout East Asia and the Russian Far East. History The tradition of tortoise-mounted stelae originated no later than early 3rd century (late Han dynasty). According to the 1957 survey by Chêng Tê-k'un (), the earliest extant tortoise-borne stele is thought to be the one at the tomb of Fan Min (), in Lushan County, Ya'an, Sichuan. Victor Segalen ha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pulao (dragon)
Pulao (), known in some early sources also as tulao (), and Pu Lao, is a Chinese dragon, and one of the nine sons of the dragon. It is said in Chinese mythology that he likes to "roar", and therefore he is traditionally depicted on top of bells in China, and used as the hook by which the bells are hung. ''Pulao'' appeared in Chinese literature already during the Tang dynasty. The Tang dynasty scholar Li Shan (, 630–689), in his comments on Ban Gu's (32–92 AD) "Eastern Metropolis Rhapsody" (, ''Dong Du Fu''), wrote: In the sea there is a big fish called whale, and on the shore there is a creature whose name is ''pulao''. The ''pulao'' has always been afraid of the whale. Whenever the whale strikes 'or'' attackshim, ''pulao'' cries 'or'' roarsloudly. Thus those who want to make a loud ellwould put a ''pulao'' on top. Therefore the bell-striker would be made n the shape ofa whale. During the Ming dynasty, the ''pulao'' (in the form ''tulao'') appeared in the influentia ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
