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Door Guards (Part 1)

2008.06.10
The dancing dragons in every Chinese New Year in your city's little China town always a fascinating event to watch that would leave us in awe and wonder. How could a dragon so fierce be dancing with pomp and grace?

The dragon heads below are attached to almost every Chinese doors at home, temples, business establishments and government offices.

The information below that you are about to read are taken from this site.

In Chinese mythology there are five types of dragon:-

1. Those guarding the gods and emperors
2. Those controlling the wind and rain
3. Earthly dragons which deepened the rivers and seas
4. Guardians of hidden treasure
5. The first dragon

The First dragon appeared to the mythical emperor Fu-hsi, and filled the hole in the sky made by the monster Kung Kung. Its waking, sleeping and breathing determined day and night. Season and weather.


There are many differences between the classical dragon and the Chinese dragon, these include the ability to fly even without wings, shape-shifting abilities, and of course the general benevolent behaviour to the populace.

In the mythology of various Oriental countries, notably Japan and China, the dragon is the supreme spiritual power, the most ancient emblem in Oriental mythology and the most ubiquitous motif in Oriental art.

Dragons represent celestial and terrestrial power, wisdom, and strength. They reside in water and bring wealth and good luck and, in Chinese belief, rainfall for crops.

The dragon in traditional Chinese New Year's Day parades is believed to repel evil spirits that would spoil the new year. The five-clawed dragon became the Chinese Imperial emblem (the four-clawed being the common dragon). The three-clawed dragon is the Japanese dragon. In Hindu mythology, Indra, god of the sky and giver of rain, slays Vitra, Dragon of the Waters, to release rainfall.

The Chinese dragon is made up of nine entities. The head of camel, the eyes of a demon, the ears of a cow, the horns of a stag, the neck of a snake, it's belly a clam's, it's claws that of an eagle, while the soles of his feet are that of a tiger, and the 117 scales that cover it's body are that of a carp.


The Chinese dragon has four claws as standard, but the Imperial dragon has five, this is to identify it above the lesser classes. Anyone other than the emperor using the 5 claw motif was put to death.

The Chinese dragon (Lung) was a divine bringer of rain, necessary for the good of the people. Throughout Chinese history the dragon has been equated with weather. It is said that some of the worst floodings were caused when a mortal has upset a dragon. The dragon was also a symbol of the emperor whose wisdom and divine power assured the well-being of his subjects. Many legends draw connections between the dragon and the emperor. Some emperors claimed to have descended from the dragon.

Chinese dragons of myth could make themselves as large as the universe or as small as a silkworm. They could also change color and disappear in a flash. They rise to the skies in the spring and plunge into the waters in the autumn.

Ancient China Dragon occupies a very important position in Chinese mythology. It shows up in arts, literature, poetry, architecture, songs, and many aspects of the Chinese conscience. The origin of Chinese dragons is unknown, but certainly pre-dates the written history.

According to legend the Dragon had nine sons, and each had a strong personality. There is no general agreement as to what the Dragon's sons are called. However, to most people, they are:

1.Haoxian
A reckless and adventurous dragon whose image can be found decorating the eaves of palaces.

2.Yazi
Valiant and bellicose; his image is seen on sword-hilts and knife hilts.

3.Chiwen Chiwen
Likes to gaze into the distance and his appearance is often carved on pinnacles.

4.Baxia Baxia
A good swimmer and his image decorates many bridge piers and archways.

5.Pulao Pulao
Fond of roaring and his figure is carved on bells.

6.Bixi Bixi
An excellent pack-animal whose image appears on panniers.

7.Qiuniu Qiuniu
Loves music and his figure is a common decoration on the bridge of stringed musical instruments.

8.Suanmi Suanmi
Fond of smoke and fire; his likeness can be seen on the legs of incense-burners.

9.Jiaotu Jiaotu
is as tight-lipped as a mussel or a snail. His image is carved on doors.

29 Comments
ee97056 Beautiful!
ee97056 · 2008-06-10: 06:46
mojaroo excellent
mojaroo · 2008-06-10: 08:04
josanhjx superb set!!!
josanhjx · 2008-06-10: 08:12
leocheung Great post!
Wonderful pictures,the colors a just so eye-catching , the textures and details are fantastic.
And of course, excellent information.
Thank you:)
leocheung · 2008-06-10: 08:49
tbranscum Wow, colorful set!
tbranscum · 2008-06-10: 08:57
dadlak informative post--the punishment described in #8 seems a little extreme - death for the wrong doorknob
dadlak · 2008-06-10: 09:39
ThomasChu Fabulous
full of color..
beautiful chinese traditional doors
ThomasChu · 2008-06-10: 09:40
noptek Nice red color. I love the first one where the lion seems to be laughing
noptek · 2008-06-10: 10:14
Laury helloooooo!!
Laury · 2008-06-10: 10:42
Mercy4me Beautiful set, great narrative. I really like the bold colors (red is my favorite so I am a little partial).
Mercy4me · 2008-06-10: 12:36
PhySpi hehe the expression in pic 2 is fantastic - well done :)
PhySpi · 2008-06-10: 18:15
storytaylor fantastic details my friend. and you know who is in the details...
storytaylor · 2008-06-10: 18:29
MrYum Nice collection of traditional door gurads, thanks !!
MrYum · 2008-06-10: 21:00
meiling Thanks for these wonderful images and the accompanying text, Alain. These remind me of my Oriental heritage, and I thank you for that. Best regards.
meiling · 2008-06-10: 22:43
mclps Fantastic set! Beautiful door guards and such interesting information! Thank you. :)
mclps · 2008-06-10: 22:52
Gwadannie Excellent !!!!!!
Gwadannie · 2008-06-11: 01:03
timmes Fantastic set i Love #15 :)
timmes · 2008-06-11: 03:55
Paternosta fantastic set, love the colours and the details---great :)
Paternosta · 2008-06-11: 04:40
caroleagle My lovely boyfriend said "nice knockers" !! : )
These are such beautiful images and thank you for the information.... very interesting, think I'll read it to my Boy.
caroleagle · 2008-06-11: 05:00
mantis28 oooooooo super!
mantis28 · 2008-06-11: 07:36
KC727 Very colourful and detail shots, wonderful research :))
KC727 · 2008-06-11: 09:37
Kanya Great subject! Beautiful shots!
Kanya · 2008-06-11: 11:27
ypslon very interesting. Photos and informations. Thanks!
ypslon · 2008-06-11: 17:21
photopoet Spectacular—
photopoet · 2008-06-11: 19:24
akskadeh perfect set .
i took some pics frome old door like you but in my country . they are perfect . but my set is not complete
akskadeh · 2008-06-12: 04:09
ambersunsets Wonderful set! Very interesting stuff!
ambersunsets · 2008-06-12: 07:47
Tramp great set. beutiful and interesting
Tramp · 2008-06-13: 05:25
jennye wow! these are beautiful!!...thanks for the great information!!
jennye · 2008-06-16: 13:00
jabichi great idea, nice colours
jabichi · 2008-06-16: 16:13
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