What does the Chinese Dragon Look Like?
Descriptions of these magical beasts vary widely, but many characteristics are commonly accepted. For instance, many dragons are depicted with whiskers on either side of the mouth, scales that cover the entire length of the body (there are precisely 81 ridge like scales covering the back, this number being a multiple of 9 which is China’s lucky number and is closely associated with this beloved creature), a bearded chin under which a dazzling pearl can be found, breath that can come out of its mouth as either a cloud which turns into water or the more commonly thought of breath of fire, and the amazing ability to change size at will. Chinese storytellers dating back to 1100 BC claim that the dragon has the ability to shrink into the size of a silk worm or to swell to fill the space between heaven and earth. They are commonly depicted as flying among the heavens, though the Eastern dragons typically do not have wings, and this ability to fly is directly linked to the magical pearl they
