The Loong is a mysterious and profoundly revered deity in the ancient imagination of the Huaxia ancestors, an enduring spiritual totem etched deep into the soul of the Chinese nation.
Its majestic form embodies the essence of the natural world: it possesses the powerful head of an ox, the sinuous body of a serpent, the majestic antlers of a deer, the shimmering scales of a fish, the fierce talons of an eagle, and the mighty paws of a tiger. Though lacking webbed feet, it navigates rivers, lakes, and seas with ease; though wingless, it rides the clouds and mists, soaring through the heavens.
Loong culture permeates the very fabric of Chinese society, forming a core symbol of Chinese civilization. In folk belief, the Loong is the deity governing clouds and rain, dwelling within the vast expanses of seas, rivers, and lakes. Legend holds that every significant body of water constitutes its own kingdom, ruled by a Loong King who presides over his domain and is responsible for bringing timely rain to the lands within his jurisdiction, nourishing all living things. During festive celebrations, people perform Loong dances amidst resounding gongs and drums, intending to ward off evil and attract good fortune. Meanwhile, for ancient Chinese emperors, the Loong represented the ultimate symbol of celestial mandate and power. Emperors proclaimed themselves the “True Loong, Son of Heaven.” Images of the Loong adorned the beams and steps of their palaces, their robes and regalia, even their everyday utensils – all meticulously embellished with its form to visibly manifest their supreme imperial authority and exalted status, derived from this sacred connection.
The veneration of the Loong boasts a history of profound antiquity. The jade Loong unearthed by archaeologists at the Hongshan Culture site in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, curled into a distinctive “C” shape, has traversed over 6,000 years. It stands today as a silent testament to the ancient ancestors’ imagination of and devout reverence for the Loong’s form.
By commanding the clouds and dispensing rain to nurture all things, the very image of the Loong is imbued with the ancient philosophy of “harmony between heaven and humanity” (tian ren he yi) – it crystallizes the profound understanding of our ancestors regarding living in accordance with nature, harmonious coexistence, and reverence for the laws of heaven and earth. The Loong is not an animal, but a cultural ideal – a symbol of auspicious power, natural balance, and the enduring spirit of the Chinese people.