The Dragon in Chinese culture

Dragons hold a unique place in the Chinese Zodiac. Of all the animals

present, only dragons are mythical. As is well known, dragons occupy a
special seat in traditional Chinese folklore.

Jade Emperor and the Four Dragons

One of the most famous Chinese myths involving dragons tells of a
devastating drought that was ravaging China.

The four mighty dragons of the sea saw this calamity unfolding. They took pity
on the human race, which would soon perish if rain did not fall. The four
dragons took it upon themselves to travel to the highest heaven and petition
the Jade Emperor (玉皇 Yùhuáng), ruler of heaven and earth, to send rain.

After they were given an audience and had made their case to the Jade
Emperor, he absentmindedly agreed to send rain. However, being
understandably preoccupied with running the affairs of heaven and earth, the
Jade Emperor promptly forgot his promise to send rain.

10 days passed without action. Blades of grass turned to bristles and the soil
cracked and blistered in the relentless heat of the sun. People began to die.

Seeing this tragedy, the four dragons took it upon themselves to remedy the
situation. They gathered up fresh water and released it onto the land, finally
bringing an end to the apocalyptic drought. When the Jade Emperor learned
that they had acted on their own without his permission, he was enraged. He
ordered them to be imprisoned for eternity, weighed down by the Mountain
God himself.

From their mountain prisons sprouted the four rivers of China, the Yellow
River (黄河 Huáng Hé), the Yangtze (长江 Cháng Jiāng), the Pearl River (珠
江 Zhū Jiāng), and the Amur River (黑龙江 Hēilóng Jiāng).

China would never again be without water.

The Jade Emperor is ruler of heaven and earth according to Chinese mythology.

Dragon babies
Because of the multitude of positive traits associated with the dragon zodiac
sign, many Chinese parents are eager to have their children be born in a Year
of the Dragon. Some young couples will intentionally wait for a dragon year to
try to have their babies. This has repeatedly caused minor baby booms during
dragon years in China as well as in countries with sizable Chinese diasporas.

Tragically, this increase in births means that dragon years see decreases in
hospital capacity, which can result in higher infant mortality rates.

Tips for dragons

If you happen to have been born in a Year of the Dragon, traditional
Chinese knowledge offers you a variety of ways to insulate yourself from the
unpredictable whims of the universe.

Here are some tips and tricks to help ensure good fortune.

Lucky and unlucky numbers

Whether it’s the change you get at the grocery store or the last four digits on
your credit card, if you’re a dragon, you would be wise to pay special attention
to the numbers that enter your life.

1, 6, and 7 are the good ones. Embrace these number and maximize their
presence in your life. Use 1, 6 and 7, for example, in pin codes, passwords
and custom license plates.

Watch out for 3 and 8, however, since these two will get you in trouble.
Minimize their inauspicious influence by keeping their presence to a minimum.

Lucky and unlucky colors

Gold, white and gray are on your side. Paint your room or choose your outfit
for an important occasion with these colors in mind.

Dragons are faced with considerable difficulty when it comes to their unlucky

colors: blue and green. Although these colors are everywhere, avoid them in
dress and decoration. This will maximize your chance at good fortune.

Lucky colors for those born in the Year of the Dragon include gold, white and gray.