Chinese Dragon Screens
There were three ancient dragon screens in China. Each is illustrated with nine dragons - another example of the importance of the number nine. These are sometimes referred to as Jiulongbi.
The oldest was built during the Ming Dynasty in Datong city. The second was built during the Qing Dynasty in Beihai Park, near the Forbidden City. The third was built in 1771 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Forbidden City, in the palace Hall of Jewelry.
A more recent Nine Dragon Screen was built in 1985 in the Xijiao Park, Wuxi City.
The traditional dragon screens were mosaics of glazes tiles. The Qianlong dragon screen is imperfect. One of the dragons has its belly replaced by a piece of wood. It is said that the original tile broke - some say it broke in the kiln, others that it fell and smashed. If this had been discovered it would have meant execution for the person responsible. there was no time to craft a replacement so the piece of wood was used instead.