Page 107 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 100
The belief that a woman could give birth to one or even several dragons was
widespread. The word long appears in many place-names, and compounds such as
‘dragon-mother’, ‘dragon-lake’, etc., are common. The town of Kowloon is the ‘town of
the nine dragons’ (jiu long in Mandarin).
Since the number nine symbolises male vigour (3 × 3) it is often associated with
the dragon, and the formula yi long jiu zi, ge zi bie = ‘the dragon has nine sons, each one
different’ is very commonly used when wishing a young couple good fortune. Dragons
come in all shapes and sizes. In general, it is portrayed with a serpentine body plus feet
and claws; its skin is scaly, and it often has horns like those of a stag ( deer), though
its ears are more like an ox’s.
Dragon-boats are long, narrow boats decorated with dragon motifs. They are used
in South China as racing boats in festivities which take place on the 5th day of the 5th
month. If a man fell overboard and was drowned (formerly very few Chinese could
swim) this was looked upon as a not unwelcome sacrifice to the dragon-god, who would
thereupon be moved to increase fertility.
‘Dragon-claws’: ceremonial dress among the upper classes indicated the wearer’s rank
by the number of claws on the dragon depicted. Thus the dragon on the Emperor’s robe
had five claws; four claws indicated a prince, three or less an official. Together, the
dragon and the phoenix embody the male and female essences, and naturally
symbolise the married state.
‘Dragon-spittle’ was ambergris, the very costly perfume brought from Arabia.
‘Dragons’ eyes’ (long-yan) are small sweet fruits, known in English as ‘longans’.

Dragon with nine sons, all of whom are endowed in different ways: the
first can carry heavy objects, the second can put out fires, the third can
make a noise like a bell, the fourth is as powerful as a tiger, the fifth likes
his food, the sixth likes water, the seventh is a courageous fighter, the
eighth is as strong as a lion, the ninth is a keen observer