(from Chinese New Year 2012 date 23rd/ CNY 2012 Year of the Dragon
http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/christmas/chinese_new_year2012.htm)
CEBU, Philippines - Chinese all over the world proudly profess themselves as “Descendants of the Dragon.” Unlike the negative image associated with Western Dragons, most Easter Dragons are beautiful, friendly, and wise. They are the angels of the Orient. Instead of being hated, they are loved and worshiped.
Chinese dragons have a horse’s head and a snake’s body. Often they have four jaws. Chinese dragons are divided into Heavenly Dragons, Earthly Dragons and Dragons in water. The most well-known dragons are the Four Sea Dragons governing the east, south, west, north side of the sea. These Four Sea Dragon Kings are in charge of creating clouds and rains for the world of human beings. The Chinese do not call a water faucet, a tap, but a “Water Dragon Head.”
The dragon is regarded as the symbol of the Chinese nation and can be seen everywhere in its culture: such as literature, architecture, art, furniture, and even clothing.
Dragons are an important part of many Chinese festivals, including Chinese New Year. In ancient China, dragons did not breathe fire. Dragons were wise and caring. They guarded the wind, the rain, the rivers, precious metals and gems.
Many countries use dragons in their art, especially the Chinese, Korean and Japanese dragons. To differentiate them, just count the dragon’s toes. Of course, you have to get really close. Sometimes it looks as if they have three toes, when they really have five, because some are hidden from sight. But, for a quick rule of toe:
• Chinese dragons have five toes
• Korean dragons have four toes
• Japanese dragons have three toes.
An interesting legend relates that the farther the dragons travel from their home in China, the more toes they lose. Fortunately, when wandering dragons return home to China, all their missing toes grow back. Since most dragons would prefer to keep all their toes, all the time, few dragons ever wander very far from home. (FREEMAN)