Taxonomy of meanings for 龍:　　

  • lóng (OC: b-roŋ MC: lioŋ) 力鍾切 平 廣韻：【通也和也寵也鱗蟲之長也易曰雲從龍又姓舜納言龍之後力鍾切九 】
    • DRAGON
      • ndragon[BUDDH: in the Buddhist context dragons (SANSKRIT nāga) are regarded as one of the eight kind of beings who protect the Buddhist teachings]
      • nadNdragon-like
      • nadNinvolving Ndragon-patterned; embellished with dragon-patterns
      • nadVanalogylike a dragon
      • ncpost-V{NUM}NUM dragonsDS
      • nadVdragon-wise; in a shape of dragonDS
      • metaphorical> EMPEROR
        • nadNimperial
      • concrete> HORSE
        • ndragon-style horse (sometimes written with horse radical)
        • nadNdragon-like (horse)

Additional information about 龍

說文解字: 【龍】，鱗蟲之長，能幽能明，能細能巨，能短能長，春分而登天，秋分而潛淵。从肉飛之形，童省聲。 〔小徐本作「從肉飛象形，童省聲。」〕 【臣鉉等曰：夗象宛轉飛動之皃。】 凡龍之屬皆从龍。 【力鍾切】

    Criteria
  • CITIES

    See 曲英結，先秦都城復原研究，黑龍江人民, 1991

  • MYTHICAL ANIMALS

    1. Sìlíng 四靈 is a general term for four supernational creatures: dragon lóng 龍, tiger hǔ 虎, phoenix fènghuáng 風凰, and turtle guī 龜. The main source for names of various mythical creatures is the SHJ, with its splendid illustrations.

    2. Lóng 龍 is the most divine of all mythical animals. The dragon brings a happiness and good fortune, and an emperor is viewed as its embodiment.

    3. Jiāo 蛟 is a flood dragon, a mythical creature capable of invoking storms and floods. Also written 鮫.

    4. Shé 蛇 (snake) was worshipped in ancient times. The supernational creature of the north, xuánwǔ 玄武 is depicted as a turtle with a snake, and creators of humankind, Fúxī 伏羲 and Nǚwā 女媧 have both snake tails. The dragon was often viewed as a kind of snake.

    5. Guī 龜 (turtle) is one of the four supernatural creatures. It symbolizes a longevity and good fortune. The turtle was often used in divination and sacrifices, and its images appears as a base of the stelae.

    6. Fènghuáng 風凰 (phoenix) is one of the four supernatural creations, the most elevated of all birds. It symbolizes happiness, good omen, and peace.

    7. Qílín 麒麟 (mythical unicorn) is one of the four supernatural creations. It is a symbol of an extreme humanity of a king or emperor, as well as good fortune and a peace.

    8. Bìxié 辟邪 is a mythical animal resembling a deer with two long horns and a long tail which can expel evil influences.

  • MEMORIAL

    1. The most general (rare) word for a memorial is shù 疏.

    2. Zòu 奏 refers to the act of submission of a memorial, from Qin times onwards specifically directed to the emperor.

    2. Biǎo 表 refers in Han times to a formal request for imperial support, often in matters of funeral arrangements etc.

    3. Zhāng 章 refers to a memorial of thanks.

    4. Yì 議 refers to formal and often controversial contribution towards the discussion of a political issue which is at issue.

    5. Shū 書 "document; letter" is sometimes used to refer specifically to a memorial to the throne.

    NB: The subtle distinctions between these forms of memorial are the subject of detailed discussion in Wénxīndiāolóng 文心雕龍, but the late date of this text must be kept in mind. Qǐ 啟 "expression of personal views addressed to the emperor" and zhuàng 狀 "formal accusation" are post-Han.