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Pictures Of China
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CHINA TOPICS OF BEIFAN.COM
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Pictures Of Chinese Dragons; Craftsmen Produce Legendary Chinese Dragons.
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See Pictures Of Chinese Dragons By Clicking The Thumbnails
The Chinese Dragon has been part of the Chinese culture for generations and it is said that
the first figure of a Chinese Dragon, formed from shells, was found in the ruins of a tomb from 6000 years ago. Ever since the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, the Chinese Dragon has been associated with the emperor of China, and it was only the emperor who could own a Chinese Dragon with five claws; the 'common' dragon having four claws.
The Chinese Dragon is said to have had nine sons, the first born being named 'Bixi', and his image is usually seen carved on the base of tablets, as he was good at carrying weights. The ninth son of the Chinese Dragon, named Jiaotu, was fond of closing things, so his image can be seen on gates. The remaining sons of the Chinese Dragon, bore the names, Haoxian, Yazi, Chiwen, Baxia, Pulao, Qiuniu, and Suanmi. The Nine Dragon Walls seen in different locations in China, show images of the nine sons of the Chinese Dragon, formed from glazed tiles.
Many statues of Chinese Dragons seen in public places, bear shiny patches on them where the surface has been worn smooth by touching hands. These are due to the fact that the Chinese Dragon is said to have the ability to bring good fortune and give protection from many evils.
The authorities concerned have decided that in certain circumstances, the Chinese Dragon itself needs to be protected from the people!
Some models of Chinese Dragon will be seen surrounded by fencing, and some Dragons covered with wire mesh. One such mesh-covered Dragon had not escaped the attention of the people, for in a small gap in the mesh, hands had been forced through to touch the foot of the standing dragon; part of the foot was all smooth and shiny!
During recent construction work at the Shaolin Temple, many sculptured stone heads of Chinese Dragons were salvaged from demolished buildings; these were stored in one part of the grounds and near to these stone heads, were stacked carved wood heads of the Dragon ready to be fitting to the roof top of new halls in the course of construction. New sculptured stone models of Bixi, said to be the first son of the Chinese Dragon, were also positioned ready to carry the weight of stone tablets. Bixi, with his shell back does not have the usual appearance of a Chinese Dragon, but he is still subjected to the touching hands of visitors, seeking his help and protection.
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There are more than one Black Chinese Dragons on the walls
at Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai, symbolic protection for the Mandarins in ancient times. One advantage of having them on the tops of walls is that they are safe from touching hands.
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| This Chinese Dragon at the Summer Palace is covered in wire mesh, not to stop it from escaping, but to protect it from being worn away by touching hands. A Chinese Dragon with five claws belonged only to a Chinese Emperor. |
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| The Dragon Park in Beijing has a gallery with the columns decorated with Chinese Dragons. This wall is at the park entrance. The Chinese Dragon has nine sons, each dragon having a role to play in Chinese culture. |
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| The Chinese Dragon, mythical beast of legend is displayed in many forms. The Chinese Dragon at the entrance to the long driveway leading to the Temple Of Heaven in Beijing crouched ready to defend its Chinese Emperor. |
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""The Chinese dragons have five toes on each foot, Indonesian or Korean dragons have four, and the Japanese dragons have three. To explain this phenomenon, Chinese legend states that all Imperial dragons originated in China, and the further away from China a dragon went the fewer toes it had. Dragons only exist in China, Korea, Indonesia, and Japan because if they traveled further they would have no toes to continue. The Japanese legend has a story similar to the Chinese one, namely that dragons originated in Japan, and the further they traveled the more toes they grew and as a result, if they went too far they would have too many toes to continue to walk properly.
Another interpretation: according to several sources, including historical official documents, ordinary Chinese dragons had four toes - but the Imperial Dragon had five. It was a capital offense for anyone - other than the emperor, his blood relatives, and the very few officials who were granted such an extraordinary privilege by the emperor - to use the five-clawed dragon motif.
Korean sources seem to oppose this theory, as the Imperial dragon in Gyeongbok Palace has seven claws, implying its superiority over the inferior Chinese Dragon; of course, this dragon image is hidden in the rafters of the palace and is not entirely in view, even to those who know it is there, suggesting that while the ancient Koreans viewed it as superior, they also knew that it would be offensive to the Imperial Chinese Court.
The Han style dragon is also 3 clawed, which explains how the 3 clawed dragon went to Japan in the Tang or pre-Tang period.
Wikipedia ''"
Wild Card
| On a visit to a Farmer's Market near the Temple of Heaven we saw this bearded man who had arrived on a bike almost as old as his 87 years. Adding his image to the pictures of old people in Beijing was no problem, but he requested that copies be sent to him. It was difficult to assess his true age, not that it mattered, for old people of whatever age are well respected in China. |
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Photos Of Dragons In China: Page 2
Nine Dragon Wall.
Links To Dragon Web Sites
Names Of The Nine Sons Of The Dragon
Children In China the Land of the Dragon
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Previous China photos
Pics of People in China.
Food for Vegetarians.
Grand Master Su Xi.
For friends in Vietnam.
Embroidery of Suzhou.
Pictures of Vegetables.
Pagoda Forest Shaolin.
For friends in China.
From Visit June 2004.
Links For Europeans, Canadians And Americans
Pictures of Dragons.
Pictures of China.
Chinese Food Pictures.
People Pictures.
Buddhism and Buddha.
Shaolin Ceremonies.
Children in China.
Pictures of Old People.
Yangtze River Cruise.
Chinese Wedding.
Making Coolie Hats.
Silk Worms and Cocoons.
Highest Mountain Guilin.
Takeaway Menu.
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