Legend of the sacred dragon

The legendary dragon symbol is popular in the world. In the West, the dragon does not symbolize royalty, but rather evil forces. In the East, the dragon symbolizes the king, the emperor, the regulation of the weather, and the growth of agricultural society. Regardless of the philosophy or force it symbolizes, the origin of dragons in the world is quite similar.

When people step out of the cave, they are afraid of three forces: the lion or tiger on the ground, the snake or sea monster, a ferocious reptile under the water, the big eagle and the ferocious birds of prey in the sky. These are formidable opponents, agile, strong, with sharp fangs and claws, and can eat people at any time. Gradually, people synthesized all three species into a common image, called the dragon.

The dragon has a lion’s head, a snake’s body, fish scales, and deer horns. The Western dragon has wings, the Eastern dragon has no wings, but flies in the clouds, sprays water, and makes rain. The horse combined with a lion and a fish becomes a dragon horse, or a unicorn, with a horse’s body, but a lion’s head and a scaly body. The concepts probably also come from the first pronunciation: dragon (English), lung/long (Chinese), rong (Vietnamese)… similarly have a syllabic source.

It is believed that the earliest carvings of dragons in Neolithic archaeology in China, around 5,000 BC and the earliest written mention of dragons in the writings of Confucius around 2,000 BC. Dragons in Vietnam appeared on relics of the Ly Dynasty (1010 - 1225), and were popular throughout a thousand years of feudal autonomy. But traces related to dragons are also found on Dong Son bronze carvings, 2,500 years ago. Western dragons appeared a lot in the Middle Ages, from around the 7th - 14th centuries. In Hinduism, Makara - a sea monster, is also considered a type of dragon, it is very popular in Champa art.

According to Robert Beer's research in the Handbook of the Tibetan Buddhist Symbols, Chinese dragons are said to have 3 main species and 9 sub-species. The 3 main species are: thunder dragon with lungs or horns (cuong long/truong giac loi long/thunder dragon with horns), ly or hornless sea dragon (hai long khong hon/long ma), giao long (Ch.chiao) with scales, living in lakes and caves. The 9 sub-species are: thien long, than long, duc long (winged dragon), ban long (coiled dragon), dai giac long (horned dragon), ung chuy long (snout dragon), hoang long (golden dragon), thuy long (water dragon), ho dharma long (treasure guard dragon). The names of these 12 species are in Chinese, researched by the Chinese, and are also known to the Vietnamese.

Also according to Robert Beer's research, the typical dragon is said to have 3 parts and 9 forms. The 3 parts are head to front legs, front legs to waist and waist to tail. The 9 forms (characteristics) are: head like a camel, horns like deer, eyes like a demon, rabbit or shrimp; neck like a snake, scales like a fish; belly like a frog or giant clam; ears like a cow; front legs and feet like a tiger; claws like an eagle.

Along its back were rows of 81 flame-like scales and pointed dorsal plates that sprouted from its jaws, chin, knees, and tail. A carp-like beard extended from the dragon's upper lip, and its mane curled and flowed like a horse's. Its wild dragon eyes stared, its eyebrows raised. Its teeth were sharp, its tongue long and twisted. Lightning bolts of fire shot from its two front legs as the dragon twisted in the swirling clouds, all four legs clutching precious gems. Source