The Chinese lung (龙 ) or dragon has been a mythological creature in Chinese culture since the 5th millennium BCE. Dragons symbolize benevolence, prosperity, good fortune, blessings, longevity and the renewal of life. They live in the watery depths in the autumn and ascend to the sky in spring to become the rain-bringing dragon producing bountiful moisture in control of rain, rivers, lakes, and seas. It is a divine creature bringing abundance, prosperity, and good fortune, and, unlike Western dragons, are considered beautiful, friendly, and lucky. The dragon is the ultimate symbol of the forces of Nature considered to be the greatest divine force on earth. Dragons unify heaven and earth as they live in the mountains or the sea, quench their thirst in the sea and fly to the sky. With auspicious powers including control over water, rain, floods, and the fertility of crops, they are the symbol the emperor and imperial strength with their five claws. Its placement on the emperor’s dragon robes against clouds symbolizes the ruler’s imperial and heavenly authority and his ability to provide for irrigation and agriculture, essential to the empire’s strength and stability. Two of the most powerful of the four celestial animals are the dragon who is “yang” and the phoenix who “yin”, who together create the yin-yang balance to create matrimonial bliss. A dragon paired with the phoenix is a metaphor for people of high virtue, talent and status. Dragon. pairs are often depicted in carvings, furniture and on textiles chasing a flaming pearl thought to represent wisdom, energy, power and the moon. As a display of high status, the arms of chairs or thrones are ended with dragons or open-mouthed dragons holding pearls. The dragon’s popularity is so immense it is used ubiquitously as an important decorative and symbolic motif bringing good fortune to all. Matsu as Empress of Heaven is often shown seated in a dragon throne.
Showing all 5 results
Seated imperiously on a horseshoe chair with carved title “Holy Mother in Heaven,” Mazu is depicted in the imperial style, with a regal flat topped headdress, elaborate robes with dragons, official’s girdle in red and gilt. In excellent condition after years of use.
Mazu, protector of sea, is portrayed as the imperially sanctioned “Empress of Heaven” on an elaborate, horseshoe shaped dragon throne, holding a hu tablet, with elegant dragon robes, official’s girdle, Empress headdress and small feet on gilt fu lion foot rest.
Initially linked to the Big Dipper in Chinese mythology, Wen Chang is worshipped in the 3rd and 8th months as the God of several spheres: Literature, Books and Writing, Education, Learning and Examinations and is the patron saint of scholars. As one of the revered Taoist-deities, hero and one of the house-gods closely associated with…
This finely detailed hardwood mold was used to make sweetmeats confections, perhaps mooncakes for the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival. It is covered with deeply carved propitious symbols for marital harmony, sons and successful endeavors: a four clawed dragon for fertility, two ducks symbolizing marital bliss and harmony, one atop a carp for conjugal bliss and achieving noble rank and a boat with a sail for making all this easy sailing. This would be a great accessory or gift (especially for weddings) to spice up any kitchen.
In the Han, belt hooks became a symbol of wealth, high status and power hung vertically from belt holes used in life and buried with the deceased for his journey to the afterlife . Ornamented with incised decoration this beautiful piece is dragon shaped with beautiful verdigris deposits.
End of content
End of content