Denglong

 


Denglong, also known as Wangtianhou, Chaotianhou and Hou, is a chimeric beast from Chinese mythology. It's sometimes considered a dragon and other times its own type of creature. Denglong has the qualities of several other animals: antlers of a deer, a camel's head, cat ears, shrimp eyes, a donkey's mouth, lion's mane, snake neck, sea serpent's belly, carp scales, eagle's talons and tiger's back legs. Incidentally, this list of features is very similar for Chinese dragons, who are often similarly described as having the features of many common animal.

Denglong said to be one of the sons of the dragon emperor, although I didn't see it listed when researching the nine sons before. Yet Denglong looks very similar to Chaofeng's beast form and there may be some confusion between them, similar to how cockatrice and basilisk are used interchangeably in European mythology.

Denglong is said to be the most powerful of beasts. And is capable of fighting and defeating multiple dragons in battle. It's capable of levitating flight and even breathing fire. When denglong defeats a dragon it eats the dragon's brain. Such a battle is attested in the Accounts of Marvels, happening during the 25th year of emperor Kangxi's reign.

In spite of denglong's battles with dragons it's considered a holy and good creature, who is a model for righteousness and morality. Denglong's role is guardianship, of both the heavens and human civilization. Denglong's home is Mount Meru, in the center of the universe, where it guards the sacred mountain. When guarding over human civilization denglong helps the emperor distinguish right and wrong, truth from lies, wisdom from foolishness. Denglong also creates celestial phenomena portending to peace and prosperity. When the emperor dies denglong takes the emperor to the afterlife to be reincarnated. Denglong statues are placed on top huabiao pillars in prominent places, four of which are found in Tienanmen Square. Denglong is often placed on the corners of temples as well.

Denglong itself is worshipped as an arbiter between the heavens and Earth and is capable of defeating all sorts of evil and driving away bad fortune.  

  


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