All About Eastern Dragons from China, Japan, & Korea

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Discover the powers and symbolism of these mythical serpents

Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: March 31, 2026 Fact Checked

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What are Eastern dragons?

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Appearance

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Powers

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Symbolism

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Dragon Types

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Eastern vs. Western Dragons

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Video

You’ve probably heard of the Chinese dragon, but did you know these mythical serpents inspired other dragons all across East Asia? Unlike European dragons, these Eastern dragons are benevolent and associated with water rather than fire. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about these powerful creatures, including what they are, what they look like, what powers they possess, and more.

Eastern Dragons: An Overview

Eastern dragons are wingless, flying serpents found in East Asian mythology. Originating in Chinese mythology, these dragons are benevolent creatures who can control the weather and the elements. They’re often viewed as guardians of the heavens and the earth and symbolize knowledge, harmony, and power.

Section 1 of 6:

What are Eastern dragons?

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Eastern dragons are any dragons from East Asian mythology. They’re found in folklore, mythology, and religion all throughout East Asia, most notably China, Japan, and Korea. The dragons in each region differ, but they’re all generally based on the Chinese dragon, as it heavily influenced depictions of dragons in other regions. They are wingless and serve as protectors and controllers of Earth’s elements and weather.^{[1]
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- Eastern dragons date back to the Xia Dynasty (China’s first Dynasty) in 2100 BC.
- In China, the Eastern dragon is the symbol of the Emperor. The Chinese word for dragon is pronounced “long.”
- In Korea, dragons are known as “Mir” or “Miri.” In Japan, they’re called “ryū,” “ryō,” or “tatsu.”

Section 2 of 6:

Eastern Dragon Appearance

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In Western media, dragons are often portrayed with wings that allow them to fly through the air. While Eastern dragons are also typically capable of flying, they do not have wings, instead slithering through the air like a serpent.^{[2]
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They’re a composite of multiple animals. While their appearances can differ, Eastern dragons are typically described as having the body of a snake, the antlers of a deer, the talons of an eagle, the feet of a tiger, the scales of a carp, and the eyes of a demon.^{[3]
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Research source} It is said that Chinese dragons, specifically, have 117 scales.
- Typically, Eastern dragons are depicted with 4 toes, though in the traditional symbol of the Emperor, the dragon has 5. This is the distinction between the Emperor’s dragon and the common dragon.
- In Japan, dragons are depicted with 3 toes.

Section 3 of 6:

Eastern Dragon Powers

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Eastern dragons are living forces of nature. Most legends depict Eastern dragons as protectors of the earth and the heavens. While each dragon is different, they’re usually said to be able to control one or more natural elements (earth, air, fire, and water), as well as the weather (such as the wind and the rain).^{[4]
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- For example, dragons may be able to summon clouds, rain, or thunder, as well as bring bountiful harvests.
- Dragons also have the ability to fly, despite not having wings. Some can also shapeshift into human form.
- According to some legends, dragons also possess magical orbs that grant them omnipotence.

Section 4 of 6:

Eastern Dragon Symbolism

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The exact symbolism of Eastern dragons depends on the type of dragon and its region, but in general, they’re associated with positive traits. Certain dragons may represent strength, knowledge, or prosperity. Because they’re often associated with weather and rain, they also symbolize transformation and harmony between nature and humanity.^{[5]
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In China, dragons are associated with the Emperor. Historically, the Chinese dragon is a symbol of imperial power. The founder of the Han dynasty, Liu Bang, claimed he was conceived after his mother dreamt of a dragon. During the Tang dynasty, emperors wore robes with dragons on them.^{[6]
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Research source} In the Yuan dynasty, the five-clawed dragon became a symbol that could only be used by the emperor.
- Dragons are also an important symbol in the Chinese zodiac.

Section 5 of 6:

Types of Eastern Dragons

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Tianlong The Tianlong are celestial dragons. They’re the divine dragons who pull the chariots of the gods and guard their palaces. They’re one of the 4 primary types of Chinese dragons and represent immense power and good fortune.^{[7]
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- There are many types of dragons across East Asia, so we’ve included the most popular or well-known types here.
Shenlong, or Shen Lung, are spiritual dragons that control the wind and the rain.^{[8]
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Research source} They are typically blue in color and have the power to bless crops or cause destruction. In Japan, Shenlong is known as Shinryū.
Dilong, also known as underground dragons, are earth dragons who preside over rivers and streams. Some legends claim they are the female counterparts of the Shenlong, and they fly only to mate.^{[9]
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Fucanglong, or Fuzanglong, are underworld dragons that guard buried treasures, both natural and man-made. According to legend, volcanoes form when they burst out of the ground to report to heaven. They reportedly possess a magic pearl, which is their most treasured belonging.^{[10]
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The Huanglong, or Yellow Dragon, represents the Yellow Emperor, Emperor Fu Hsi. According to legend, the Huanglong emerged from the River Luo and presented the emperor with the elements of writing. It is the center of the Five Elements (Wuxing) and commands the four cardinal animals. The Huanglong is a symbol of power, knowledge, the earth, and balance.^{[11]
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The Yinglong are also known as winged dragons, and as their name suggests, they are the only kind of Eastern dragon with wings. They are supposedly the oldest of all Eastern dragons and are associated with rain, storms, and the Yellow Emperor.^{[12]
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Qiulong, or curling dragons, are considered the mightiest Eastern dragons. They’re extremely powerful and are associated with clouds and rain. They’re sometimes portrayed as young or immature celestial dragons. Some texts describe these dragons as hornless, while others refer to them as horned dragons.^{[13]
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The Panlong, or coiled dragons, are water-dwelling dragons typically depicted as twisting or bending. They symbolize power, wisdom, and rainmaking, and they often serve as a metaphor for people with unrecognized talent. They’re believed to mainly reside in lakes.^{[14]
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The Lóng Wáng are the Dragon Kings in Chinese mythology. Each king is the divine ruler of one of the four seas (north, south, east, and west) and also commands rivers and rainfall. While typically depicted as a majestic dragon, they can also shapeshift into a human form. They’re said to reside in a crystal palace under the sea.^{[15]
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Section 6 of 6:

Eastern Dragons vs. Western Dragons

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Eastern dragons and Western dragons have different appearances and powers. Eastern dragons are typically depicted as wingless, serpentine creatures who are benevolent and associated with water, wisdom, and good luck. Western dragons, on the other hand, are winged, malevolent beasts who breathe fire and represent greed and chaos in European mythology. In some ways, the two types of dragons are polar opposites.^{[16]
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- If you want to learn about even more types of dragons, check out our “Different Types of Dragons” article!