Dragon Kings of The Four Seas
There are four major Dragon Kings, each ruling a sea corresponding to one of the four cardinal directions. They appear in the classical novels Fengshen Bang and Journey to the West.
There are four major Dragon Kings, representing each of the four seas: the East Sea (corresponding to the East China Sea), the South Sea (corresponding to the South China Sea), the West Sea (sometimes seen as the Indian Ocean and beyond), and the North Sea (sometimes seen as Lake Baikal).
Because of this association, they are seen as "in charge" of water-related weather phenomenon. In premodern times, many Chinese villages (especially those close to rivers and seas) had temples dedicated to their local "dragon king". In times of drought or flooding, it was customary for the local gentry and government officials to lead the community in offering sacrifices and conducting other religious rites to appease the dragon, either to ask for rain or a cessation thereof.
The four Dragon Kings in Journey to the West are:
- Ao Guang (敖廣), Dragon King of the East Sea
- Ao Qin (敖欽), Dragon King of the South Sea
- Ao Run (敖閏), Dragon King of the West Sea
- Ao Shun (敖順), Dragon King of the North Sea
The origin of their family name, Ao (敖), however, remains unclear. The names of the Dragon Kings also vary according to the stories they are featured in.
Read more about this topic: Dragon King
Famous quotes containing the words dragon, kings and/or seas:
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That dragon through the fading light,
Loved the lady; and it’s plain
The half-dead dragon was her thought....”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
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“open thou thy manly mouth, and say that thou wilt come;
Whereby my heart may think, although I see not thee,
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—Unknown. The Lady Prayeth the Return of Her Lover Abiding on the Seas (l. 4–6)