Vase with ascending dragons

The Awe-Inspiring Dragon
The mythical dragon permeates Chinese history, folklore, religion, and art. In the past, China's agricultural population worshipped the dragon because of its ability to control the rains in the sky. The dragon has many distinct characteristics: horns like a stag, head like a camel, neck like a snake, eyes like an eagle, claws like a hawk, palms like a tiger, and ears like an ox. The mythical creatures are bearded with whiskers and typically breathe fire. Historically, there are three types of dragons; the lung, the most powerful, inhabits the sky; the hornless li lives in the ocean; and the scaly chiao dwells in marshes and dens in the ocean.

The dragon symbolizes high rank and power. Perhaps as long as three thousand years ago, it became the emblem of kings and emperors. The dragon also signifies benevolence, and paired with the pheasant, forms a popular wedding motif, emblematic of a perfect marriage. The dragon embodies yang (male) forces and the phoenix yin (female) forces.

Dragons depicted on imperial arts of the Kangxi period are energetic and lively, as are these examples, their outstretched limbs reflecting the emperor's powerful and vigorous reign of sixty-one years. Underglaze red is the dominant hue, but blue emphasizes the pupils of the dragons' eyes.