Dragon:
The symbol of the dragon is seen in the earliest Chinese arts and crafts and continues through the ages in only slightly altered forms. The dragon, rather than being a creature to be feared is one to be respected and admired. The dragon brought life-giving rains and had the power of transformation. Dragons were often depicted in pairs, coiling amid clouds or sporting among waves. They were shown competing for a disc, which was originally a sun symbol. The design probably represented the struggle between the clouds and the sun during a storm. Later the flaming disc was identified as a pearl of wisdom and power. The dragon is usually shown as green, likely because of its connection with the creative forces of nature. Ancient dragons depicted on bronzes and in jade were sometimes one-legged with horns, sometimes hornless, long and reptilian in nature, and often looking very like serpents. During the Han Dynasty, the dragon became associated with the power of the emperor. The phoenix, a composite design with features of both the pheasant and the peacock, along with the unicorn were symbols, which appeared only in times of peace. The bat was a symbol of good fortune and the Fu dog or lion, originally a Buddhist symbol, symbolized courage and strength and was used to guard gates of temples, sacred areas, and official residences throughout China. Other symbols which might be considered are the butterfly, a symbol of longevity, the horse as representing persistence, swiftness, and intelligence, and the hare or rabbit, symbol of intelligence and longevity and associated with the moon.
The symbol of the dragon is seen in the earliest Chinese arts and crafts and continues through the ages in only slightly altered forms. The dragon, rather than being a creature to be feared is one to be respected and admired. The dragon brought life-giving rains and had the power of transformation. Dragons were often depicted in pairs, coiling amid clouds or sporting among waves. They were shown competing for a disc, which was originally a sun symbol. The design probably represented the struggle between the clouds and the sun during a storm. Later the flaming disc was identified as a pearl of wisdom and power. The dragon is usually shown as green, likely because of its connection with the creative forces of nature. Ancient dragons depicted on bronzes and in jade were sometimes one-legged with horns, sometimes hornless, long and reptilian in nature, and often looking very like serpents. During the Han Dynasty, the dragon became associated with the power of the emperor. The phoenix, a composite design with features of both the pheasant and the peacock, along with the unicorn were symbols, which appeared only in times of peace. The bat was a symbol of good fortune and the Fu dog or lion, originally a Buddhist symbol, symbolized courage and strength and was used to guard gates of temples, sacred areas, and official residences throughout China. Other symbols which might be considered are the butterfly, a symbol of longevity, the horse as representing persistence, swiftness, and intelligence, and the hare or rabbit, symbol of intelligence and longevity and associated with the moon.
