The Nine Sons of the Dragon: An Ultimate Guide to Their Legends, Stories, Symbolism, and Influence
In ancient Chinese Mythology, the Dragon or Loong—a powerful and revered creature—is said to have nine sons.
Each of these offspring is uniquely different from both their dragon parent and one another.
This concept reflects a symbolic belief in the distinct individuality of children, representing how they can differ greatly from their parents and siblings.
The Number Nine in Chinese culture holds particular significance, as it is often associated with power, nobility, and strength.
According to the I Ching (or Book of Changes), nine is the highest single-digit in the Yang sequence of the Yin-Yang Theory, making it a symbol of ultimate force and potency.
Despite this long-standing legend, no historical records provided definitive details about the dragon's nine sons until the reign of the Hongzhi Emperor (1470–1505) during the Ming dynasty.
He tasked his Grand Chancellor, Li Dongyang (1447–1516), to investigate this ancient myth.
After extensive research, Li Dongyang compiled the most widely accepted version of the Nine Sons of the Dragon, giving each son a distinct identity and role.
Though other versions of the story exist, Li Dongyang’s account remains one of the most popular interpretations to this day.
Chinese Dragon Loong and Nine Sons
Qiu Niu
The eldest of the nine, Qiu Niu (囚牛), stands apart from his brothers with his gentle and harmonious nature.
Unlike the fierce characteristics often attributed to dragons, Qiu Niu has a deep affinity for music.
He was depicted with a dragon's head and a snake-like body adorned with elegant scales and horns, is celebrated for his extraordinary sense of hearing.
Qiu Niu, Painted by Artist Shexi
In Chinese folklore, Qiu Niu is often associated with musical instruments.
His likeness is frequently carved onto traditional string instruments, symbolizing a connection to melody and harmony.
His serene and melodic spirit makes him a beloved figure among musicians and lovers of music alike.
Ya Zi
The second son, Ya Zi (睚眦), is the embodiment of aggression and combat.
With the body of a wolf and the head of a dragon, Ya Zi symbolizes raw power and ferocity.
His image, often depicted gripping a sword in his mouth with eyes full of intensity, makes him a popular figure on weapons and armor in Chinese culture.
Ya Zi, Painted by Artist Shexi
Ya Zi’s fierce and battle-hungry nature has made him a symbol of protection, particularly for warriors.
Ancient weapons like swords and spears bore his image to enhance their strength and intimidation, warning enemies of the power they face.
Even palace guards carried weapons adorned with Ya Zi, showcasing the might of the empire.
Chao Feng
Known for his adventurous and curious spirit, Chao Feng (嘲风), the third son, is a guardian of heights.
His beast-like form and love for high places often find him perched atop palace roofs, where he keeps watch over the land below.
Chao Feng, Painted by Artist Shexi
Chao Feng’s role in mythology goes beyond mere observation.
He is believed to control natural forces like earthquakes, tsunamis, and flames.
His image is commonly found on rooftops, where he serves as a guardian, protecting homes and palaces from harm.
Chao Feng’s presence on these high places symbolizes beauty, strength, and the defense against evil spirits.
Pu Lao
The fourth son, Pu Lao (蒲牢), is known for his booming voice.
Often depicted as a coiled dragon with sharp horns and a long, flowing tail, Pu Lao’s defining trait is his mighty roar.
According to legend, his roar can be heard across great distances, making him a symbol of strength and influence.
Pu Lao, Painted by Artist Shexi
His likeness is frequently found atop large bronze bells, where his resonant roar symbolizes the powerful sound of the bell.
However, despite his fearsome roar, Pu Lao has one surprising weakness—he is terrified of whales.
According to legend, when a whale attacks, Pu Lao cries out in fear.
This quirky trait has inspired the design of the mallet used to strike bells, which is often shaped like a whale.
When the mallet strikes the bell, it symbolizes Pu Lao’s roar, creating a sound that is both powerful and resonant, capable of reaching the heavens.
Suan Ni
Suan Ni (狻猊), the fifth son of the dragon, is a majestic and serene figure with the appearance of a lion.
Suan Ni is known for his quiet, contemplative nature.
Unlike his more active or aggressive brothers, Suan Ni enjoys sitting still, calmly observing his surroundings.
He is particularly fond of the scent of incense, which has led to his image being frequently found on incense burners in temples and homes.
His calm and peaceful demeanor makes him a symbol of patience and introspection.
Suan Ni, Painted by Artist Shexi
Though Suan Ni is calm, he is also incredibly strong and courageous, embodying a powerful yet patient spirit.
His connection to incense and meditation has even led to his association with the Buddha, becoming the creature that serves as Buddha's mount.
This role solidifies his status as a protector and a symbol of good fortune. Suan Ni is believed to have the ability to exorcise evil and bring good luck, further cementing his place as a guardian figure in Chinese culture.
Because of his strength, patience, and connection to spiritual practice, Suan Ni’s image is often used in architecture and art.
His likeness can be found on buildings and various decorative pieces, symbolizing protection, wisdom, and auspiciousness.
Ba Xia
Ba Xia (霸下), also known as Bi Xi (赑屃), is the sixth son of the dragon, who takes the form of a turtle with teeth.
Ba Xia is renowned for his immense strength and love of carrying heavy objects.
According to ancient legends, he once carried mountains and rivers, causing great waves and upheaval in the natural world.
His immense power made him a formidable force, but it also posed a danger to the balance of the earth.
Ba Xia, Painted by Artist Shexi
During the reign of the legendary Yu the Great (about 2123 BC – 2025 BC), who was known for taming the great floods, Ba Xia was brought under control.
Using his incredible strength, Ba Xia helped Yu the Great by moving mountains and digging river channels, playing a crucial role in flood control.
After the floods were subdued, Yu the Great, to prevent Ba Xia from causing further chaos, had him carry massive stone steles.
These stone monuments were inscribed with records of the flood control efforts and Ba Xia’s contributions.
The weight of these steles kept Ba Xia grounded, symbolizing the containment of his wild strength.
Since then, Ba Xia’s image has often been depicted carrying these monumental steles.
His likeness is associated with long life, strength, and prosperity, as the turtle is a traditional symbol of longevity in Chinese culture.
The steles he bears represent the enduring legacy of great achievements, making Ba Xia a symbol of resilience, wisdom, and the lasting power of historical records.
Bi An
Bi An (狴犴), the seventh son of the dragon, is an authoritative, just, and intelligent mythical creature.
Bi An resembles a tiger and is renowned for his strong sense of justice.
He is fierce and protective, embodying fairness and righteousness.
In Chinese folklore, he is known for his ability to clearly distinguish right from wrong, making him a powerful symbol of law and order.
Bi An, Painted by Artist Shexi
Due to his authoritative and fearsome nature, Bi An’s image is often used to decorate the gates of prisons.
His likeness is believed to ward off criminals and evil spirits, ensuring that those who enter these gates respect the laws they have broken.
Bi An’s influence doesn’t stop at the prison gates.
His image can also be found in courtrooms, where he represents integrity and the protection of those who uphold the law.
Judges, officials, and anyone seeking fairness and truth are thought to be under Bi An’s watchful eye.
In traditional architecture and carvings, figures of Bi An guard the entrances to places where justice is served, with his presence reinforcing the importance of honesty, fairness, and the rule of law.
His role as a protector of justice make him an enduring symbol of strength, moral clarity, and the pursuit of righteousness.
Fu Xi
Fu Xi (负屃), the eighth son of the dragon, resembles a dragon and is known for his deep love of literature and culture.
He is often depicted coiling gracefully around the tops and sides of stone steles, where he spends his time reading and appreciating the inscriptions carved into these monumental stones.
His fascination with the written word has made him a revered figure in Chinese folklore, symbolizing knowledge, wisdom, and scholarly pursuits.
Fu Xi, Painted by Artist Shexi
Over time, Fu Xi’s connection to literature and learning grew stronger, and he became associated with the preservation of history and intellectual achievements.
His likeness, often carved on the tops of historical monuments and inscriptions, signifies the importance of passing down knowledge through the ages.
His figure represents not only the preservation of history but also the flourishing of intellectual and cultural prosperity.
Chi Wen
Chi Wen (螭吻) is the youngest of the Nine Sons of the Dragon.
He has the body of a fish and the head of a dragon, and he is revered for his control over water.
According to legend, Chi Wen has the ability to spit water to extinguish fires, though some versions of the story say he enjoys swallowing fire.
This duality of controlling and interacting with fire makes him an important figure in traditional Chinese architecture.
Fu Xi, Painted by Artist Shexi
Chi Wen’s ability to extinguish fires has made him a natural guardian of buildings, especially against disasters.
In addition to his protective abilities, Chi Wen is also known for his habit of gazing into the distance, making him a watchful guardian of the sky and the land below.
His vigilant presence atop buildings not only wards off evil spirits but also ensures the safety and protection of the people within.
Hence, His image is often found on the ridges of roofs, where he serves to protect structures from fire and other calamities.
This protective function has made him a common feature in ancient architecture, particularly on palaces and temples.
His image on rooftops represents a long-standing tradition of safeguarding homes from harm, blending centuries of culture, legend, and architectural artistry.
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