The Ninefold Nature of Chinese Dragons
The Lucky Number Nine
The number nine is a lucky number to the Chinese. Given that Chinese dragons are considered omens of good fortune, it's appropriate that they should be heavily influenced by the number nine.
Types of Chinese Dragon
Chinese dragons can be divided into nine types:
- Horned Dragons - Qiulong
- Winged Dragons - Yinglong
- Celestial Dragons - Tianlong
- Spiritual Dragons - Shenlong
- Treasure Dragons - Futs-Lung
- Yellow Dragons - Huanglong
- Underground Dragons - Dilong
- Coiling Dragons - Panlong
- Dragon Kings
Characteristics of Chinese Dragons
Chinese dragons of the lung variety are said to be built from nine parts. The exact list varies between commentators, the following is a typical selection:
- The head of a camel
- The horns of a stag
- The ears of a bull
- The eyes of a demon
- The neck of a lizard
- The belly of a clam
- The paws of a tiger
- The claws of an eagle
- The scales of a carp
The scales themselves are found in groups of nine. The usual number given is 117: 81 (9x9) of yang (male) and 36 (9x4) of yin (female).
Ninefold Tales
There are many other dragon tales that include the number nine, for example nine-headed dragons and dragons with nine children.