The Chinese have expressed a deep spiritual connection to dragons for so many centuries no one actually knows how the tradition was established. Dragons are considered to be heroic protectors and the most powerful creatures in existence; they are believed to control the eternal heavens and bodies of water ranging from the vast oceans to simple waterfalls. Legend suggests the first emperor was born from a dragon and throughout history as the descendents of emperors took the throne it was believed they too were dragons, some even bearing a birthmark in the shape of the creature. Since emperors were considered dragons they also had the power over the heavens and could make it rain. Much of the art from ancient China portray dragons weaving gracefully among the misty clouds or writhing amidst the unrestrained waves of the ocean.

 When the Yongle emperor Zhu-Di  of the Ming Dynasty inherited the throne he moved the capital city from Nanjing to Beijing  and a new residence was constructed for him called “The Forbidden City”. Gold bricks, blocks of marble, and wood were the materials used to build the fifteen year long project that required more than a million workers. The buildings and courtyards were lavishly embellished with dragons on every structure; there were dragons climbing up the walls of buildings and protruding from rooftops, even the walkways exhibited carved dragons in stone. The emperor’s throne, floors, walls, robes, and eating utensils were also designed with dragons. The Yongle emperor declared that the five clawed golden dragon was the symbol of the imperial family alone and laws forbade others from using its likeness. Those with four claws were to be used by the royal court and three clawed dragons could be used by commoners.

In addition to all the required dragon art designed for the emperor and “The Forbidden City”, the citizens of the Ming Dynasty applied the images to many of their personal household items such as plates, vases, and brush holders. They idolized the emperor and his divine relation to the sacred dragons and their devotion is apparent in the countless works of art they created depicting the Dragon’s image by using  a combination of materials and methods they acquired throughout the ages along with new techniques they themselves developed .Some innovations included: building the first imperial porcelain factory where porcelain ware with cobalt blue and copper red under glaze was perfected, red lacquer ware, metallurgy, and visual enhancements to cloisonné ware. The artists of the Ming Dynasty excelled in art not only because of impressive skills and creativity, but also due to the ability to incorporate their inner soul, ideology, and love into exquisite works of art that displayed their loyalty to the emperor and paid tribute to a legendary creature- a reflection of their eternal dragon hearts.

Sandi Provost
Art History Student, Three Rivers Community College