Dragon Tales

Anavatapta’s name means heat-free, and he is free of the afflictions of the world and the torments of other dragons. He is enlightened, cool of head and pure of heart.

The grateful people brought Gangi gifts of food. But after a time, they forgot to thank him and he grew angry and bitter. His ego was hurt by their disrespect and his belly was left empty in old age. Angrily he prayed, “Let me become a dragon and take all the food I deserve!” He became a Naga river dragon who tore through the valley feasting on all the crops and leaving only a noxious white stream in his wake.

The Buddha heard of his cruelty and had the thunder god Vajrapani strike the mountains with thunderbolts to scare Gangi back into his cave. Buddha gently spoke of the way to be in harmony and balance with the universe. As Gangi listened, his hurt evaporated, his heart became pure, he let go of his selfish ego and was at peace. He tamed his appetite and vowed to flood the valley to eat only once every twelve years. And so, Gangi was revered once more as the selfless dragon Buddha renamed Apalala, meaning one free from anxiety, desire and tension.

They flew to heaven and made their plea. “Yes, yes,” the Jade Emperor said waving his hands, “You go now and I’ll get to it tomorrow.” The dragons were overjoyed and dutifully returned to the sea. The next day, when they peered over the waves though, they saw the Jade Emperor had forgotten. “We must help them! Why don’t we spray our seawater towards the the sky so it will fall as rain and save them?” 

The people were saved, but the Jade Emperor was furious. He punished the impertinent dragons, trapping each beneath a mountain. Even so, the good-hearted dragons sent water to the people, transforming into the four great rivers of China: the Heilongjiang (Black DragonRiver) in the North, the Huanghe (Yellow River) in central China, the Changjiang (Yangtze, or Long River) below it, and Zhejiang (Pearl) in the far South.

• The compassionate blue-green dragon Ao Guang of the East Sea represents Spring carefully managing the weather and waters to preserve natural balance and help forests and crops grow. 

• Ao Run, the pearly white ruler of the West Sea (Qinghai Lake), represents Autumn and is known for his calm demeanor, kind heart, and ability to soothe troubled waters and generate restorative springs to cure the sick from plague. 

• At the center of them all is the Imperial five-toed yellow dragon Huanglong. His yellow symbolizes earth and the Emperor’s royal connection to the land. He is a patron of civilization. He presented the legendary Emperor Fu Xi with the elements of writing and gave the Yellow Emperor Huangdi knowledge of astrology, geology, medicine and divination. Huangdi’s said to have ascended to heaven on the back of a yellow dragon when he died.

Some turned back tired and dejected. But not the curious carp. He continued to swim upwards until he was the only one left at the foot of the waterfall. Summoning the last of his strength he made one giant leap and cleared the roaring waters at the summit of the waterfall. He soared through the tori gate, and … into the skies beyond the horizon! 

Unknown to him, the Emperor of heaven had been watching his efforts all these years. Impressed, the Emperor vowed that should the little carp clear the tori gate, he should be rewarded by transforming into a sparkling Kinryu celestial golden dragon. And so the little carp could forever satisfy his endless curiosity exploring all the heavens, earth, rivers and seas in the universe.

Because of him, they had the Mayan calendar that helped them predict and plan for the future. That’s how they knew Kukulkan would return to visit at twilight on the Equinox each Spring and Fall.

Ikal heard a rustle in the trees and felt a rush of wind. A flash of color like the quetzal bird caught his eye as impossibly bright long feathers and the glistening scales of a serpentine dragon bigger than any snake on earth passed above him.

He began to run through the jungle, leaves brushing his cheeks as he sped toward the great temple. He broke into the open and saw a flash of light shoot up to the heavens, then plummet down to earth directly atop the tip of the great nine-level pyramid that was Chichen Itza. A great shadow descended the steps ’til it merged with the great stone serpent head at its base. And Ikal knew Spring would bring bounty ready to harvest by the time Kukulkan returned at Fall Equinox. 

He was enchanted by her beauty, grace, kindness and skills. They fell in love and he stayed with her, far from his sea home, as she gave birth to 100 beautiful children. They were strong and clever like him and gentle kind-hearted and talented like her. But, the call of the sea was strong and he knew he had to return to his home on the coast and waters, just as his beloved Au Co was bound to stay in her mountain forests.

They agreed Lac Long Quan would return to the coast with 50 of their children and teach them the way of the waters. Au Co would teach 50 to cultivate the mountain steppes and forests. No matter what, they would cooperate always.  And so it was.  The family of the dragon and the fairy would honor their parents, respecting their differences and applying their skills to help one another forevermore.

In China, dragons have the antlers of a deer; the head of a crocodile (sometimes in the shape of a horse or camel); the belly of a tortoise that’s articulated like a clam; the eyes of a demon; a neck and tail shaped like a snake with the scales of carp; feet with the talons of an eagle and the soles and palms of a tiger; and the ears of a cow or dog.

They hear through their antlers and have a special chimu chamber or bump on their head that helps them ascend to heaven. Their 117 scales include 8 made of active yang energy and 36 of receptive yin energy.

Hoori dove into the water, searching until he came to a beautiful coral palace. This was the palace of the most famous Tatsu (dragon) of them all, the king of the deep sea and tides, Ryujin. Hoori ventured into the dazzling courtyard and was charmed by the the beautiful Toyotama-hime, Ryujin’s daughter. They married and stayed for three years in the court below the sea before asking to return to Japan. Happy for the couple’s joy, Ryujin marshaled the sea creatures to find the lost fishhook and gifted them the precious tide jewels.

Upon their return, Hoderi became jealous of Hoori and mounted an attack. Hoori quickly wielded the gems to control the ebb and flow of the tides and defeat his brother’s armada. In due time, Toyotama-hime gave birth to a son, Jimmu, who became the first Emperor of Japan.

Utpalaka lives in a beautiful pond where blue lotus flowers bloom. Like the blue lotus, the waters of his pond have curative properties that can help bring balance and wellness to the body and mind.

Utpalaka observes all of the deities of the land and helps them regulate the rains and winds in order to bring about good harvests.

When they did, they exposed a below-ground cavern and lake from which two dragons burst forth locked in a fearsome battle that shook the earth. The boy had dreamed of these battling dragons, as well as a future King and victory to come. As they watched, the smaller Welsh Y Ddraig Goch (red dragon) defeated the larger more powerful foreign Y Ddraig Wen (white dragon).

The boy knew this foretold the coming of King Arthur Pendragon and the victory of their smaller Welsh force over the Saxon invaders from mainland Europe. To this day, this spot in Wales is known as Dinas Emrys, after the boy, Myrddin Emrys (Merlin), and his first vision of the victorious once and future king.