![]() ![]() Two variants have themselves been bred by the gods and spirits of the region: fucanglong (Lung fucang) as guardians of treasure and tianlong (Lung xian) as steeds or chariot pullers. After reaching sexual maturity, they develop big, luxurious beards. ![]() Dozens of breeds exist, mostly variations of color, but in the wild them mostly come in red, blue, yellow, black, and white. Because of this, the long line of royalty and aristocracy have kept and bred them to show their devotion and connection to the gods. Most don't live past 300, so they can be safely kept like any other animal. Coming from a small, snake-like hatchling to a mighty, semi-aquatic adult, and finally ascending to heaven to become a godly being if they reach the end of their enormous lifespans. But the originals remain ever plentiful in their homeland. The species everyone knows as the Chinese dragon, the lung (Lung huang), have spread all across the region and diversified into different forms. T'eng do not, however, have the ability to ascend to heaven like other dragons. ![]() Whereas wyverns have wings, Chinese dragons have a chimu, a magical lump on their heads which allows them to move through the air like water. Similarly, the T'eng (Teng she), a type of legless dragon, appears to have been the first Chinese dragon to develop flight. Dilong, or snake dragons, are much more similar to the lindworms and drakons of Europe, but have the more derived appearance known to their family. Biologically, they may look crocodilian, but also possess many mammalian characteristics, like their warm blood and primitive hair. Figurines from Vietnam point to Jiaolong as the earliest Chinese dragons. Jiaolong (Giao crocodilus) and Dilong (Lung panlong) are thought to be the earliest known dragons from the area, resembling their ancient serpentine ancestors more so than anything else. But, of all those dragons, the Chinese lungs are agreed to be their progenitors. Owing to the rich, ancient history of the region, East Asian dragons have evolved and diversified to such an extent that comparisons to dragons of the West are far too simple. ![]()
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January 2023
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