Chinese mythology and culture have a strong connection to the azure dragon. One of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellations, it stands for the East and the beginning of spring. This article debunks the idea that the Azure Dragon is a fish by exploring its origin, name, symbolism, and strength.
What is the Azure Dragon?
The mythical being known as the Azure Dragon, or Qinglong in Chinese, has a long history in Chinese mythology and culture. One of the Chinese constellations’ Four Symbols, it stands for the East and the coming of spring. The Azure Dragon is thought to deliver rain and is a representation of strength, power, and good fortune. It is also linked to aristocracy, divinity, and auspiciousness. It is frequently shown as a winged dragon-like creature with a long body and pointed claws, and it is also linked to the element of wood and the color green. Used in Chinese art, architecture, and literature, the Azure Dragon is seen as a strong and fortunate symbol for organizations and people seeking success and good fortune.
Among the twenty-eight Chinese constellations, ancient people imagined the combination of stars such as Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Ji in the Eastern Quadrant as the form of a dragon. According to the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, the Eastern Quadrant represents wood and the color green, hence the name “Qinglong” or “Canglong.” The appearance and disappearance of the Eastern Quadrant constellations corresponded to rainfall. Ancient people believed that the dragon was in charge of rainfall, which determined the agricultural harvest. The harvest, in turn, determined people’s livelihoods. Thus, the dragon became the most important “totem” in agrarian society.
According to the records in the “Star Classic,” the Qinglong has a winged form. According to texts such as “Wenxian Tongkao,” “Danqian Zonglu Jianzheng,” and “Daoyuan Xuegu Lu,” the Qinglong’s body is composed of the seven constellations in the Eastern Quadrant, resembling a dragon with two horns, scales on its body, and a blue color due to the association with wood in the Five Elements. It has a neck and neck root, shoulders and ribs, a heart, and a tail. Translated into English, it would be referred to as the “Blue Dragon.”
What is the Azure Dragon’s name?
The Chinese name for the Azure Dragon is Qinglong, which translates to “Azure Dragon.” In some writings, it is also referred to as Blue Dragon or Green Dragon. It is known as Seiryu, which is Japanese for “Blue-Green Dragon,” in mythology. The color green and the element of wood are frequently connected with the azure dragon.
The Qinglong, also known as Canglong or Mengzhang, is a mythical creature in ancient Chinese mythology. It is one of the “Four Spirits” of the heavens and corresponds to the “Eastern Quadrant” of the “Four Symbols” in Chinese cosmology. The origin of the term “Qinglong” is related to celestial phenomena and is primarily derived from the ancient people’s understanding of the movement of stars and agricultural culture.
What does the Azure Dragon represent?
The east and the coming of spring are represented by the Azure Dragon. In Chinese mythology, it is linked to noble, divine, and auspicious characteristics. It is also thought to bring rain and be a sign of strength, power, and luck.
In Chinese mythology, the Azure Dragon is also called Qinglong. It is a strong and kind dragon with a big place in Chinese folklore and culture.One of the Chinese constellations’ Four Symbols, it stands for the East and the coming of spring. The Azure Dragon is thought to deliver rain and is a representation of strength, power, and good fortune. It is also linked to aristocracy, divinity, and auspiciousness.
The Azure Dragon is typically depicted as a long, scaly creature with wings. Its bluish-green hue is representative of the wood element, and the connotations of the color green include expansion, rebirth, and nature. The pearl or crystal in the Azure Dragon’s claws is a symbol of enlightenment and the universe’s ultimate essence in many cultures.
The Azure Dragon serves as a defender of the land and its inhabitants. It’s often linked to farming and agriculture because of the widespread belief that it can bring about rain and fertile conditions on the planet. The name “Azure Dragon” comes from the Chinese character “qing,” which means “clear” or “pure,” reflecting the creature’s close connection to rain and water. It’s also linked to the yang concept, the universe’s dynamic masculine force.
In addition to its role as a protector of the land and its people, the Azure Dragon is also associated with power and strength. Because of its long, winding body and sharp claws, it is often shown with emperors and other powerful leaders as a sign of power and authority. There is a widespread belief that the Azure Dragon can grant wishes and bring good fortune to its worshippers, who in turn are more likely to achieve their goals in life.
It’s common to see depictions of dragons, especially those of azure color, in Chinese artwork, architecture, and literature. It is often depicted on clothing, pottery, and other decorative items and is a common motif in traditional Chinese architecture. The Azure Dragon is also a popular subject in Chinese literature, appearing in myths, legends, and stories dating back thousands of years.
The legend of the Four Dragons features the Azure Dragon prominently. According to the legend, the Four Dragons were responsible for bringing rain and fertility to the land. The Azure Dragon stood for the eastern compass direction among the four other dragons. The Four Dragons were revered as mighty and goodly creatures because of their collaborative efforts to restore peace and harmony to the world.
What element does the Azure Dragon represent?
The azure dragon stands in for the woody aspects of the universe.In traditional Chinese philosophy, wood is a symbol of expansion, adaptability, and energy. The season of spring, which is associated with wood, is one of rejuvenation and fresh growth.
In ancient Chinese mythology, the Azure Dragon, one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellations, stands for the wood element.The Azure Dragon, which stands for the East and spring, is a powerful and lucky sign of growth, wealth, and new beginnings.
Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water make up the Five Elements of Chinese philosophy, also known as the Five Phases. People think of these parts as the building blocks of the universe because they are used to describe the relationships and interactions between different things.Different things have different effects on the environment because they all have their own properties, contexts, and connections.
The wood element is linked to the Azure Dragon. It is a symbol of growth, adaptability, and vigor. It’s no coincidence that springtime—a period of rebirth, growth, and renewal—is associated with wood. In Chinese thought, wood is the most dynamic and dynamical of the elements, and it represents originality, imagination, and activity.
Art, literature, and myth all feature portrayals of the Azure Dragon, which shares its association with the material wood. In many myths and tales, the Azure Dragon is portrayed as a beneficent deity who bestows blessings on the country and its inhabitants in the form of abundant rainfall, fertile soil, and a prosperous population. It is often depicted as a metaphor for progress, adaptability, and life due to its long, twisting body and keen claws.
The Azure Dragon has long been linked to the color green, a symbol of the wood element. In Chinese culture, the color green represents growth, life, and vigor, and it is widely used to symbolize nature and the natural world. Green’s popularity in feng shui and other harmony-promoting practices stems from the belief that it has a relaxing and soothing influence on the mind and body.
In Chinese horoscopes, the tiger is the corresponding zodiac animal for the azure dragon. Because of its association with bravery, strength, and prosperity, the tiger is considered one of the most potent and fortunate animals in the Chinese zodiac. Having ties to the Tiger demonstrates the Azure Dragon’s generosity and strength, as well as its ability to bestow prosperity and success upon people who worship it.
What is the power of the Azure Dragon?
People say that the Azure Dragon has control over the elements and can also make it rain and scare away evil spirits.People who worship it also say that they have more children, more money, and better luck in general.According to Chinese horoscopes, the Tiger represents the zodiac sign Azure Dragon.
Chinese legend says that the Azure Dragon has a lot of supernatural abilities and is a strong but good beast.Here are some of the Azure Dragon’s most famous skills and traits:
The Azure Dragon has a reputation for keeping the peace and safeguarding the populace. Agriculture and farming are common associations because of the widespread belief that they have the power to deliver rain and fertility to the ground.
The Azure Dragon is a strong symbol that is often associated with emperors and other powerful leaders.In art, this creature’s long, twisted body and sharp claws are often used as symbols of power and dominance.
The Azure Dragon is a mythical creature that is thought to bring good luck. It can help people get what they want.As a sign of good luck and strong positive energy, it is often worshipped by people who want to be wealthy and successful.
The Azure Dragon is also symbolic of enlightenment and knowledge. It is commonly seen as a symbol of knowledge and wisdom because of its connection to the pearl or crystal, which both represent the essence of the universe and the power to enlighten.
A symbol of harmony and equilibrium, the Azure Dragon is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellations, which also stands for the direction of the East and the arrival of spring. Being a guardian of the land and its inhabitants, it exemplifies the values of equilibrium and harmony that are commonly used to describe the cosmos.
Is the Azure Dragon a fish?
The Azure Dragon is not a type of fish, despite widespread assumptions to the contrary. The winged beast looks like a cross between a dragon and a bat. Some have speculated that the belief that the Azure Dragon is actually a fish stems from the fact that it is related to the element of water, which is also commonly associated with aquatic species like fish.
Thus, to sum up, the Azure Dragon is a legendary beast with strong cultural and mythological roots in China. The color green and the material wood both carry connotations of strength, success, and fortune. The Azure Dragon is a mythical fish that is actually a winged creature that looks like a dragon and is said to have the power to influence the weather, bring rain, and protect people from evil spirits.
Azure Dragon history
During the Pre-Qin period, the term “青龙” (Qinglong) initially referred to the constellation of stars in the shape of a dragon in the eastern sky. It originated from the worship of constellations in ancient China. Among the twenty-eight Chinese constellations, the arrangement of stars in the Eastern Quadrant resembled a dragon, and thus Qinglong became the symbol of the Eastern Quadrant and the Eastern God Taihao. It represents wood in the Five Elements and corresponds to the trigrams of Zhen and Xun in the Eight Trigrams. It symbolizes the “Lesser Yang” in the Four Symbols and the “Spring Season” in the four seasons. It is also associated with the eastern land of heaven.
After ancient people imagined the combination of the seven stars in the Eastern Quadrant as a dragon, they associated each direction with a specific color based on the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. As the Eastern Quadrant represents wood, it was associated with the color “青” (qing), which translates to “green” or “blue.” Therefore, it was named “青龙” (Qinglong) and evolved into a beast-like form, depicted as a dragon in the color green or blue. The appearance and disappearance of the Eastern Quadrant constellations corresponded to rainfall, and ancient people believed that the dragon was in charge of rainfall, which determined agricultural harvests. Since harvests determined people’s livelihoods in agrarian society, the dragon became the primary “totem” of agricultural communities.
In the ancient Chinese book “Chu Ci,” there is a mention of “苍龙” (Canglong), which is synonymous with Qinglong. The Book of Documents also records the phrase “日永星火，以正仲夏” (The Sun’s perpetual fire aligns with the middle of summer). The annotation by Confucius explains that “苍龙” (Canglong) refers to a star in the Eastern Quadrant, and when it reaches its peak, the seven stars become visible. In “Mozi,” it is stated, “The Emperor uses the stem-branches Jia and Yi to kill the Qinglong in the east, Bing and Ding to kill the Chilong in the south, Geng and Xin to kill the Bailong in the west, and Ren and Gui to kill the Heilong in the north.”
Based on the research and analysis of celestial information found in oracle bone inscriptions from the Yin Dynasty, it is evident that the images of the Four Symbols, including Qinglong, already existed during the early period of the Shang Dynasty. Subsequently, during the early Western Zhou Dynasty, burial artifacts with depictions of Qinglong were discovered, but at that time, only Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Shenlu were recognized, and the concept of “玄武” (Xuanwu) had not yet taken shape.
During the Han Dynasty, the symbolism of Qinglong expanded to include the stems Jia and Yi, as well as the spring season. The “Huainanzi” records that the Eastern Quadrant represents wood, and its god is Taihao, assisted by Gumang, who governs the spring season. The protective deity of the Eastern Quadrant is the star of the year, represented by the beast Qinglong, associated with the sound of horns, and governed by the stems Jia and Yi.
In the “Huainanzi,” it is also mentioned that “青龙” (Qinglong) is highly respected among the heavenly deities. It is sometimes called “天一” (Tianyi) or “太阴” (Taiyin). The region where Qinglong resides must not be violated but respected, and the corresponding nation indicated by the handle of the Big Dipper cannot be challenged.
In the “Huainanzi,” the chapter on “Earth Formations” describes the transformation of earth qi into the clear sky and the subsequent generation of Qingzeng, Qingceng, Qingjin, Qinglong, and Qingquan over eight hundred years. Qinglong is associated with the underground Qingquan and the formation of blue clouds above it. The interaction of Yin and Yang creates thunder, and the intense collision generates lightning. When the higher cloud meets the lower cloud, the merging of cold and warm air results in rain, which falls to the ground, gathers in rivers, and eventually flows into the Qinghai Lake.
In the “Shiji,” the “Book of Enfeoffment” mentions that after Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the country and became the emperor, it is said, “The Yellow Emperor obtained the virtue of earth, and the yellow dragon and earthworm appeared. Xia obtained the virtue of wood, and the green dragon resided in the outskirts, allowing the vegetation to flourish.”
During the Eastern Han Dynasty,In the “Lingxian,” it is recorded: “The Canglong coils on the left, the Baihu fiercely occupies the right, the Zhuque soars in the front, the Linggui encircles the spine in the back (some say it is in the front), and the Huanglong (some say Huangshen) is located in the center, which is the Xuan Yuan star.”
In the “Sanfu Huangtu,” Volume Three, it is recorded: “The Canglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu are the four spirits of heaven, governing the four directions. The king establishes palaces and halls based on their principles.”
In the “Baihu Tongyi,” Volume Three, “Wuxing” section, it is recorded: “The Shaoyang corresponds to Yin, which represents development. In the musical scale, it is the great cluster, the principle of regulation to stimulate the generation of energy. The Mao represents abundance, and in the musical scale, it is the intermediate note between the two main notes. The decline occurs in Chen, which represents the earthquake. In the musical scale, it is the Guxi. The days with the stems Jia and Yi represent the vitality of all things. Yi represents the abundance of things, ready to emerge with growth and bending. It is the time of spring, which represents vitality and movement. It is located in the east, its color is green, and its sound is horns. Horns represent the movement and radiance of energy. Its deity is Taihao, and Taihao represents the great emergence and disturbance of all things. Its spirit is Goumang (Jumang), and Goumang represents the beginning of life, and Mang represents sprouting. Its essence is Qinglong, the Yin within Yang.”
In the “Lunheng,” in the chapter “Difficult Years,” it is recorded: “Moreover, Taishui is a god distinct from Qinglong. The body of the dragon is only a few thousand zhang in length. If it were a god, it should be much larger, reaching tens of thousands of zhang, with its body covering the northern region. Therefore, it should be said that Taishui is in the north and not in Zi (the Rat).”
In the “Tongzhan Daxiang Lixing Jing,” it is recorded: “The two stars of Jiao are the Tianmen Longevity Star and the Gold Star. In spring and summer, they represent fire, and in autumn and winter, they represent water. This is the Horn of the Canglong. The eastern leading star is named Tianjin, which is the long star of the Canglong, associated with the color blue.”
During the Three Kingdoms period,In the “Guangya,” in the section on “Interpretations of Heaven and Auspicious Signs,” it is recorded: “The sun’s charioteer is called Xihe, and the moon’s charioteer is called Wangshu. Qinglong represents Tianyi, Taiyin, and Taishui.”
During the Jin Dynasty,In the “Baopuzi,” in the section on “Various Responses,” a quotation from the “Xianjing” describes the appearance of the Supreme Old Lord: “On the left, there are twelve Qinglongs; on the right, there are twenty-six Baihus; in the front, there are twenty-four Zhuques; in the back, there are seventy-two Xuanwus. In the front path, there are twelve Qiongqi; in the back, there are thirty-six Bixie. Thunder and lightning are above, shining brightly. These matters are described in the Xianjing. Seeing the Supreme Old Lord results in extended lifespan, a heart like the sun and moon, and knowledge of all things.”
In the “Zangjing,” it is recorded: “The earth has four powers, and the qi comes from the eight directions. Therefore, when burying, the left represents Qinglong, the right represents Baihu, the front represents Zhuque, and the back represents Xuanwu. Xuanwu droops its head, Zhuque soars and dances, Qinglong coils gracefully, and Baihu is docile and bowing. If the situation is reversed, it should be destroyed.”
During the Southern and Northern Dynasties,In the “Shuyi Ji,” it is recorded: “During the reign of Emperor He of the Han Dynasty, in the Xuan era, there was heavy rain, and a Canglong fell into the palace. The emperor ordered it to be cooked, and each minister was given a cup of dragon soup as a reward. Therefore, Li You wrote in the ‘Qim-ing’ poem, ‘The taste surpasses that of dragon soup.'”
During the Sui Dynasty,In the “Wuxing Dayi,” Volume Five, it is recorded: “There are also the Nine Palaces and Twelve Deities. Tianyi resides in the Li Palace, Taiyi in the Kan Palace, Tianfu in the Zhong Palace, Sheti in the Kun Palace, Xuanyuan in the Zhen Palace, Zhaoyao in the Xun Palace, Qinglong in the Gan Palace, Xianchi in the Dui Palace, and Taiyin in the Gen Palace. Taiyi is the same as before. The remaining seven deities are all named after the constellations. They revolve around the nine constellations, moving once a year and returning to their original positions every nine years. Tianyi governs abundance, Taiyi governs water and drought, Tianfu governs famine, Sheti governs hardships, Xuanyuan governs thunderstorms, Zhaoyao governs wind and clouds, Qinglong corresponds to frost and hail, Xianchi governs soldiers and bandits, and Taiyin governs conspiracies. Additionally, there is another Qinglong, which moves through the twelve Earthly Branches and is the deity of the current year, also known as the Tai Sui, the star deity of Jupiter. In ancient times, the star deity of Jupiter was also called Qinglong and was considered the deity of blessings and prosperity.”
During the Tang Dynasty,In the “Zhouyi Jijie,” it is recorded: “Lu Ji’s annotations state: The Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Azure Dragon, and Black Tortoise are the four gods. The Twenty-Eight Mansions correspond to the celestial coordinates.”
In the “Xingjing,” it is recorded: “The Azure Dragon has seven mansions, including Tail and Ji. Di, Xiong, Fang, Fu, Xin, Ji are its wings.”
In the “Jin Suo Liu Zhu Yin,” Volume Twenty-Seven, it is mentioned: “Referring to the Qinglong Ancestor Meng Zhang, his surname is Meng, his name is Zhang. He is the General of the Qinglong. He is probably the ancestor of the dragon, surnamed Meng.”
In Li Chunfeng’s commentary on the “Jin Suo Liu Zhu Yin,” in the section on “Shangyuan Middle General Bugangpu,” it is recorded: “It is always said that the solar eclipse in Fang is known as the ‘Five Dragons first seen near the sun.’ The Qinglong is seen to the left of the sun, indicating a spring eclipse. The Red Dragon is seen above the sun, indicating a summer eclipse.”
In the “Chuxue Ji,” it is recorded: “According to the ‘He Tu,’ the wind is called ‘Yu,’ and it says, ‘I will tell you the five banners of the emperor: the eastern one is called Qinglong, the southern one is called Red Bird, the western one is called White Tiger, the northern one is called Xuan Snake, and the central one is called Yellow Dragon, also known as Chang.’ “
In the “Da Tang Kaiyuan Li,” it praises the Qinglong as “gathering time and creating all things… the Hundred Spirits belong to it.”
In the “Tai Shang Huang Lu Zhai Yi,” Volume Forty-Four, the Qinglong is referred to as the “Eastern Dipper Star Lord” and is described as follows: “The Jiuxing of the East: the Jiao constellation is the Star Lord of the Heavenly Gate, the Kang constellation is the Star Lord of the Courtyard, the Di constellation is the Star Lord of the Heavenly Repository, the Fang constellation is the Star Lord of the Heavenly Coach, the Xin constellation is the Star Lord of the Heavenly King, the Wei constellation is the Star Lord of the Heavenly Rooster, and the Ji constellation is the Star Lord of the Heavenly Law.”
In the “Qimen Baojian Yuding,” it is recorded: “When you go to the south, you should arrange the operation in the Dog location and loudly invoke the Qinglong God Lord to descend upon the site.”
In Daoism, the Qinglong and the other Four Symbols deities are believed to have created the world. The “Huanan Zi” preserved in the Orthodox Taoist Canon states: “In the eastern direction, there is the wood of Jia and Yi, with the trigram representing Zhen and the deity symbolizing the Azure Dragon… These Four Symbols gave birth to the world, established the heavens and the earth, and are the masters of heaven and earth, known as the Four Symbols.”
In the “Yuanshi Wuliang Jing,” it is believed that the Four Spirits created the world, and there were at least 500 million heavens and earths at the beginning of creation. The Qinglong, Baihu, and other four deities were the rulers of at least 500 million heavens and earths. The “Yuanshi Wuliang Jing” states: “At the beginning of the world’s birth, suddenly the creation of 500 million heavens and earths.”
During the Song Dynasty,In the “Meng Xun,” it is recorded: “Heaven and Earth share a common qi, and the stars connect to the ends of the Earth. The sun, moon, and five stars together form the Seven Rulers. The east is called the Azure Dragon, the south is called the Vermilion Bird, the west is the White Tiger, and the north is the Black Tortoise.”
In the “Dao Men Tong Jiao Bi Yong Ji,” Volume Seven, it is recorded: “The Azure Dragon in the east, the essence of the Jiao and Kang constellations, exhales clouds and dense qi, roars with thunder, flies to the eight poles, roams the four darknesses, and comes to stand on my left.”
In the “Jin Bi Gu Wen Long Hu Shang Jing” (Dragon and Tiger Scripture), it is recorded: “Therefore, the qi of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, if not attaining true earth, cannot become liquid gold.”
According to the “Yun Ji Qi Qian,” Volume 25, in the section “Sun, Moon, and Stars Part Three,” in the “Northern Pole Seven Elements Purple Secret Technique,” it is recorded: “On the left is the Azure Dragon named Meng Zhang, on the right is the White Tiger named Jian Bing, in front is the Vermilion Bird named Ling Guang, and behind is the Black Tortoise named Zhi Ming. They hold flags and banners, carry clocks and drums, surrounding me on the left and right, circling in all directions, with countless layers, urgent as law!”
The Four Symbols, including the Azure Dragon, evolved from the constellations. After the Song Dynasty, they gradually became personified, transformed into deities in human form, and acquired their titles. The title for the Azure Dragon is “Meng Zhang Shen Jun.” Meanwhile, the Black Tortoise (known as Zhenwu) rose to the position of the “Great Emperor” in the north, while the Azure Dragon and White Tiger were included among the door gods of mountain temples, responsible for guarding the mountain gates of Taoist temples.
In the “Yun Ji Qi Qian,” Volume 72, in the section “Golden Elixir Part Ten,” it is recorded: “The Four Symbols are the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. The Azure Dragon in the east is the Wood and Water Mercury of Jia and Yi, clear when settled, turbid when stirred, it cannot be taken when near, cannot be abandoned when far, hidden transformations endless, hence called dragon… Those who understand these Four Symbols, no matter the heavenly or human realms in the ten directions, all venerate them. The ancient classics say, ‘the elixir of the Four Gods,’ this is it.”
The “Daozang” contains the “Tai Shang Yuan Shi Tian Zun Shuo Bei Di Fu Mo Shen Zhou Miao Jing,” which states: “On the left is the Azure Dragon, named Meng Zhang. Mao character. On the right is the White Tiger, named Jian Bing. You character. In front is the Vermilion Bird, named Ling Guang. Wu character. Behind is the Black Tortoise, named Zhi Ming. Zi character.”
In the “Yueyang Feng Tu Ji,” it is recorded: “In the Laozi Temple, there are two statues of deities, known as the Azure Dragon and White Tiger.”
In the “Dao Men Tong Jiao Bi Yong Ji,” Volume Seven, it is mentioned: “The Azure Dragon in the east, the essence of the Jiao and Kang constellations, exhales clouds and dense qi, roars with thunder, flies to the eight poles, roams the four darknesses, and comes to stand on my left.”
Daoism also applies the concept of the Four Symbols in alchemical terminology. In the “Yun Ji Qi Qian,” Volume 72, it quotes the “Ancient Classic” referring to the elixir of the Four Symbols: “The Azure Dragon in the east is the Wood and Water Mercury of Jia and Yi, clear when settled, turbid when stirred, it cannot be taken when near, cannot be abandoned when far, hidden transformations endless, hence called dragon.”
In the “Gui Xin Za Shi,” it is recorded: “The name ‘dragon’ has three meanings. ‘The dragon appears, and the harvest is celebrated,’ which refers to the seven constellations in the east, representing the Azure Dragon. ‘The snake rides on the dragon,’ which refers to the wood essence of the annual star, and wood represents the Azure Dragon, so the annual star is also named dragon. It can be seen in the ‘Zuo Zhuan’ and the ‘Huai Nan Zi.’ Also, in the ‘Tong Quan Ming,’ it says, ‘When the year is in the Wuchen, the dragon gathers.’ In this case, the year represents the annual star, and the dragon represents the year star. The meaning is that the year is the annual star, and the dragon is the year star. It has two interpretations, both of which are valid.”
During the Ming Dynasty,In the “Dan Qian Zong Lu Jian Zheng: Shi Shi Xing Jing,” it is recorded: “The ‘Shi Shi’ states: ‘The Blue Emperor in the Eastern Palace, his essence is the Azure Dragon, representing the seven mansions. Its form has horns, has Kang, has Di, has Fang, has Xin, has Wei, has Ji. Di is the chest, Fang is the abdomen, Ji is the excrement. It governs spring, governs wood, governs the Eastern Peak, governs the Eastern Direction, governs scales and insects, totaling 360.'”
In the “Zhang Guo Xing Zong,” it is recorded: “Horns, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, Ji, correspond to the image of the Azure Dragon”… “Azure Dragon supports the inkstone: Born in the Wood month of Yin and Mao, same as the palace. Wood represents the Azure Dragon star”…”The Five Gods in power: People born in spring, seeing the Wood star in Yin and Mao, have their destiny secured by the Azure Dragon… If the Wood star is in the Bi palace, it is the left Azure Dragon… Wood is the Azure Dragon in the Eastern direction… The concept of the Azure Dragon in power mentioned in the previous framework also refers to this meaning.”
The “Zhang Guo Xing Zong” directly states that the five star gods are the Four Symbols: “Tiger crouching, Dragon coiling: Wood star represents the Azure Dragon in the Eastern direction, and the Metal star represents the White Tiger in the Western direction. When Metal illuminates Wood in destiny, it becomes Dragon coiling, Tiger crouching at night. When Metal and Wood reside together in destiny, it is the interaction of Dragon and Tiger. It is especially excellent for those born in the Chen and Yin palaces. Those whose destiny resides in Zi and Wu, with the Metal star in You and the Wood star in Mao, all four align, perfectly fitting this pattern. Wood represents the Azure Dragon in the Eastern direction, and Metal represents the White Tiger in the Western direction. Moreover, they radiate in the front and back four palaces. How can this not be an auspicious destiny?”
In the “Changshu Private Annals: Shu Temple Observation,” it is recorded: “In the mountain gate of the Daoist temple, there are two great deities: the left one is Meng Zhang Shen Jun, the Azure Dragon, and the right one is Jian Bing Shen Jun, the White Tiger.”
During the Qing Dynasty,In the “Yi Mao,” it is recorded: “When the Azure Dragon governs, its rule is clear and bright, the residence of elegant literature and poetry.”
In the “Jiao Zheng Quan Ben Yi Mao,” Volume Seven, it is recorded: “When the six gods are associated with the Azure Dragon, they acquire the virtue of flattery; when they follow the Azure Dragon, they only possess deceit with hidden knives.”
In the “Jing Hua Yuan,” it is recorded: After a short while, a Blue Dragon arrived on the shore and said, “You wicked creature, since you have violated the heavenly rules and been banished to the bitter sea, you should quietly cultivate and redeem your past sins. Now you commit this unlawful act, what logic is there in it?”