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{{short description|Chinese water and weather deity}}
{{redirect|Longwang|other uses|List of storms named Longwang}}
{{for-multi|Indian and Southeast Asian deities|Nagaraja|Japanese deity|Ryūjin|other uses}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|title='''Dragon King'''
|pic=海龍王, British Museum.jpg
|piccap=''Dragon King of the Seas'' (海龍王), painted in the first half of the 19th century.
|picsize=
|t={{linktext|龍|王}} 
|s={{linktext|龙|王}} 
|p=Lóngwáng 
|j=lung4wong4
|l={{nowrap|[[Chinese dragon|Dragon]] [[wang (title)|King]]}}<br>{{nowrap|Dragon Prince}}
|l2=Dragon God 
|t2={{linktext|龍|神}} 
|s2={{linktext|龙|神}} 
|p2=Lóngshén
|qn=Long Vương
|chuhan=龍王 
}}
The '''Dragon King''',<!--Chinese in infobox--> also known as the '''Dragon God''', is a celestial creature, [[water gods|water]] and [[weather god]] in Asian mythology. They can be found in various cultural and religious symbolic materials all around [[Asia]], ''specifically'' in [[South Asia|South]], [[Southeast Asia]] and distinctly in [[East Asia]]n [[culture]]s <small>([[Chinese folk religion|Chinese folk-religion]])</small>.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asian Dragons {{!}} AMNH |url=https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/asian-dragons |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=American Museum of Natural History |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com">{{Cite web |title=Dragon King - Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia |url=https://tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com/en/index.php?title=Dragon_King |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com}}</ref>  He is known in many different names across Asia depending on the local language such as, [[Japanese dragon|Ryū]] in Japanese<small>. ([[Korean dragon|Korean Dragon]], [[Sāgara (Dragon King)|Indian Dragon]], [[Vietnamese dragon|Vietnamese Dragon]] and ''more'')</small>

He can manipulate and control the [[weather]], move [[season]]s and bring rainfall with his divine power at his own will, thus, he is regarded as the dispenser of rain, divine ruler of the Seas, rivers and water bodies, <!--{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}}--> commanding over all bodies of water.<ref>"Dragon Deity" also, dragon god. A deification of the dragon, one of the eight kinds of nonhuman beings held to be guardians of Buddhism. Dragon deities are said to have various powers, such as the ability to cause rain. [https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/D/112 Chapter: Dragon Deity, Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism Library]</ref><!--{{sfnb|Overmyer|2009|p=20}}-->  He is the collective personification of the ancient concept of the ''[[Chinese dragon|lóng]]'' in Chinese culture and [[Nāgarāja]] in Indian culture. It is described that they have their own under-water [[palace]] and a [[royal court]] system of their own.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon Kings of the seas |url=https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/D/115 |website=Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism Library}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon King of the East Sea - Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia |url=https://tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Dragon_King_of_the_East_Sea |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com}}</ref>

There are also the [[cosmology|cosmological]] "Dragon Kings of the [[Four Seas]]" ({{zhi|c=四海龍王|p='''Sihai Longwang'''}}).

Besides being a water deity, the Dragon God frequently also serves as a territorial [[tutelary deity]], similarly to [[Tudigong]] "Lord of the Earth" and [[Houtu]] "Queen of the Earth".{{sfnb|Nikaido|2015|p=54}}

'''<big>Origins</big>'''

Serpent like creatures have been regarded as core part of Asian culture since 7000–5000 BCE ([[Neolithic|Neolithic period]]) at least. Numerous Serpent like crafts, marks and designs have been discovered in many [[Archaeological site|archeological sites]] from south, southeast and east asia (Notably from ancient archeological sites of China<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Jing |first1=Hung Sying |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vMfOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA83 |title=The Dragon in the Cockpit: How Western Aviation Concepts Conflict with Chinese Value Systems |last2=Batteau |first2=Allen |date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-03529-9 |language=en}}</ref> and India<ref>{{Citation |title=Animals in archaeology. Volume 2 |date=2023 |editor-last=Joglekar |editor-first=P. P. |url=https://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com/Publications/P1/24_Pardhi_PPJ_20221130.pdf |access-date=2025-08-18 |edition=1st |place=Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |publisher=Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala |isbn=978-93-5810-902-3 |editor2-last=Goyal |editor2-first=Pankaj |editor3-last=Abhayan |editor3-first=G. S. |editor4-last=Channarayapatna |editor4-first=Sharada}}</ref>), which proves that the serpent/naga/dragon symbolically has been part of the local folklores, rituals and festivals in these areas from a really long time. As time has passed the Dragon culture has been adapted and shifted in various forms, terms, tales and cultures through generation around these regions and the folk-religious cultures.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Onians |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O3h2KfXoOPYC&pg=PA46 |title=Atlas of World Art |date=2004 |publisher=Laurence King Publishing |isbn=978-1-85669-377-6 |language=en}}</ref>

== Singular Dragon King ==
The Dragon King has been regarded as holding dominion over all bodies of water,{{efn|In a modern local ritual (cf. Changli County), the inscription reads "[...] Dragon King<!--not kings--> of the Four Seas, Five Lakes, Eight Rivers and Nine Streams (in sum, the lord of all the waters) [...]".{{sfnb|Overmyer|2009|p=20}}}} and the dispenser of rain,{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}} in rituals practiced into the modern era in China. One of his epithets is '''Dragon King of Wells and Springs'''.{{sfnb|Overmyer|2009|p=21}}

=== Rainmaking rituals ===
{{See also|Rainmaking (ritual)#China}}
Dragon processions have been held on the fifth and sixth moon of the [[Chinese calendar|lunisolar calendar]] all over [[China]], especially on the 13th day of the sixth moon, held to be the Dragon King's birthday, as ritualized supplication to the deity to make rain.{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}} In [[Changli County]], [[Hebei Province]] a procession of sorts carried an image of the Dragon King in a basket and made circuit around nearby villages, and the participants would put out in front of their house a piece of yellow paper calligraphed with the text: "''The position [=tablet] of the Dragon King<!--not kings--> of the Four Seas {{lang|zh|四海龍王之位}}, Five Lakes, Eight Rivers and Nine Streams''", sprinkle it with water using willow withes, and burning incense next to it. This ritual was practiced in North of China into the 20th century.{{sfnb|Overmyer|2009|p=20}}<ref name="naoe1980"/>

In the past, there used to be Dragon King [[miao shrine]]s all over China, for the folk to engage in the worship of dragon kings, villages in farm countries would conduct rites dedicated to the Dragon Kings seeking rain.<ref name="heibonsha-ryuoshinko"/>

In the [[Indian subcontinent|Indian Subcontinent]], [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia|South-east Asia]], Naga/Dragon worship is an ancient tradition often associated with rainfall and fertility, particularly during the monsoon season through offerings incense, milk, turmeric, and flowers in Nāga [[shrine]]s, [[temple]]s, carved stones (Nāga stones) or more elaborate structures. ''Naga worship'' predates [[Vedas|Vedic]] traditions and was later integrated into [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Shamanism]] and [[Jainism]]. There is a Hindu festival [[Naga Panchami|Naga panchami]] dedicated to serpent deities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=moni1706 |date=2020-09-06 |title=Worship of the Naga or Serpent Worship |url=https://monidipa.net/2020/09/06/the-naga-cult/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Moni Gāthā |language=en}}</ref> There are numerous Serpent/Dragon deities and numerous temples or shrines dedicated to them such as [[Sāgara (Dragon King)|Sagara]], [[Varuna]] is also one of the oldest deities, often depicted as the God of the oceans, rivers, and all water bodies.  People offer prayers and other offerings for rainmaking rituals and agriculture.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mani |first=Vettam |url=http://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft |title=Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature |date=1975 |publisher=Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass |others=Robarts - University of Toronto |isbn=978-0-8426-0822-0}}</ref>

In [[Japan]], rainmaking rituals, one of these is known as "''amagoi''" (雨乞い) which has been practiced for centuries for rain during the times of drought. These rainmaking rituals varied and often involve [[Shinto]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] ceremonies, with prayers, offerings and symbolic actions aimed to influence weather patterns and please the [[heaven]]. The water-related deities and dragons are central to these rituals.  Many Japanese [[Shinto shrine]]s have dragon imagery which are dedicated to the dragon god, reflecting their importance in the religion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-29 |title=Dragon God Brings the Rain at Saitama Festival |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b06201/dragon-god-brings-the-rain-at-saitama-festival.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=nippon.com |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Korea]], Dragons are rather worshiped through folk beliefs and rituals. ''Yongwang'' is honored in village rituals, mainly in fishing communities.  Prayers are offered for successful catches and safe voyages, rain and [[agriculture]]. [[Buddhist monks]] would sometimes burn their forearms or fingers in supplication for rain. In ancient Korea, rainmaking rituals were called "''Giuje''" (祈雨祭) which used to be performed during times of drought to invoke rain. These rituals varied and involved both government officials and commoners.  It also included Buddhist monks and [[Shamanism|female shamans]] to perform the rituals. In one of the rituals named "''Seokcheok-dongja''" (石尺童子), children would torment a lizard (symbolizing a dragon) in the belief that it would induce the dragon to bring rain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dr David Shaffer |first=Gwangju |date=2020-07-12 |title=Come Rain or Shine |url=https://gwangjunewsgic.com/arts-culture/korean-culture/come-rain-or-shine/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Gwangju News |language=en-US}}

https://gwangjunewsgic.com/arts-culture/korean-culture/come-rain-or-shine/</ref>

=== As Protector ===

Dragon or Naga also symbolically represents good luck and protection in the ''Asian culture''. They symbolize wisdom, strength, and good fortune, embodying a fierce compassion that safeguards the sacred knowledge and maintains cosmic balance. In religion,<ref>Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Shinto,  etc. Also,  Asian folk religions</ref> they are revered as powerful protectors of the [[Dharma]] and the teachings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon Symbolism in Buddhist Art and Tradition: A Visual Odyssey |url=https://enlightenmentthangka.com/blogs/thangka/buddhist-dragon |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=Enlightenment Thangka |language=en}}</ref>

Dragons/Nagas stand guard at all [[Buddhist temple]]s throughout [[Thailand]], [[Laos]], [[Myanmar]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=mythailand.blog |first=jackson at |date=2017-08-30 |title=Nagas: Buddhist Temple Guardians ⋆ My Thailand |url=https://mythailand.blog/2017/08/30/nagas-buddhist-temple/ |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=My Thailand |language=en-US}}</ref>  In [[Indonesia]], Nagas are often depicted battling ''garuḍas''. Carved nāga art and sculptures are found as stairs railings in bridges or stairs, such as those found in [[Balinese temple]]s, [[Ubud Monkey Forest|Ubud monkey forest]], and [[Taman Sari (Yogyakarta)|Taman Sari]] in [[Yogyakarta]]. <small>(Main article [[Nāga]])</small>

Moreover, nāgas are sometimes linked to [[medicine]] due to the symbolizing of knowledge, wisdom and protection. The nāgas can also be founded substituting the snakes in either [[Rod of Asclepius]] or [[Caduceus]] of several medical field's symbols.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Güner |first1=Ekrem |last2=Şeker |first2=Kamil Gökhan |last3=Güner |first3=Şebnem İzmir |date=2019-11-04 |title=Why is the Medical Symbol a Snake? |url=https://istanbulmedicaljournal.org/articles/why-is-the-medical-symbol-a-snake/imj.galenos.2018.65902 |journal=Istanbul Medical Journal |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=172–175 |doi=10.4274/imj.galenos.2018.65902 |issn=2148-094X}}</ref> In ''legends'', Nāga [[Vasuki]] is present in the legend of the [[Samudra Manthana]], in which [[Dhanvantari]] (god of [[Ayurveda]], Asian traditional medicine or alchemist) and [[amrita]] (the elixir of eternal life) were churned from the [[Kshira Sagara|Ocean of Milk]] by him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-28 |title=Naka Cave, Thailand: The Truth Behind the Legends of Snake Rock |url=https://www.journeyingtheglobe.com/legends-of-naka-cave-thailand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410061214/https://www.journeyingtheglobe.com/legends-of-naka-cave-thailand |archive-date=2021-04-10 |access-date=2025-08-16 |work=Journeying The Globe |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Daoist pantheon ===
Within the Daoist pantheon, the Dragon King is regarded the zoomorphic representation of the ''[[yin and yang|yang]]'' masculine power of generation. The dragon king is the king of the dragons and he also controls all of the creatures in the sea. The dragon king gets his orders from the [[Jade Emperor]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yin |first=Shoufu |date=2023-11-01 |title=How Should the Dragon King Memorialize the Jade Emperor? Margins of Political Thought in Late Ming China |url=https://doi.org/10.1215/23290048-10767896 |journal=Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=461–486 |doi=10.1215/23290048-10767896 |issn=2329-0048}}</ref><small>(Main article [[Chinese dragon|Chinese Dragon]])</small>

== Dragon Kings of the Five Regions ==

{{Sidebar
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{{Tree chart | | | | | | |BLK | | | | | | |BLK=Black Dragon<br />{{zhi|c=黑龍 |p=heilong}}<br />(North/Winter)|boxstyle_BLK= background-color: #000 ;color: white}}
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{{Tree chart |WH|-|-|-|YEL|-|-|BLU|WH=White Dragon<br />{{zhi|c=白龍|p=bailong}}<br />(West/Autumn)|boxstyle_WH= background-color: #fff ;color: black|YEL=Yellow Dragon<br />{{zhi|c=黃龍|p=huanglong}}<br />(Center/Summer's end)|boxstyle_YEL= background-color: yellow ;color: black |BLU=Blue/Green Dragon<br />{{zhi|c=靑/蒼龍|p=qing/canglong}}<br />(East/Spring)|boxstyle_BLU= background-color:#00f ;color: white}}
{{Tree chart | ||  | | | | |!| | | | | | |}}
{{Tree chart | | | | | | |RED | | | | | | |RED=Red Dragon<br />{{zhi|c=赤龍|p=chilong}}<br />(South/Summer)|boxstyle_RED= background-color: #f00 ;color: black}}
{{Tree chart/end}}
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Historically there arose a cult of the Five Dragon Kings. The name {{zhp|p=Wufang longwang|c=五方龍王|tr=Dragon Kings of the Five Regions/Directions}} is registered in Daoist scripture from the Tang dynasty, found in the [[Dunhuang manuscripts|Dunhuang caves]].<ref name="wang.fang"/> Veneration of chthonic dragon god(s) of the five directions still persists today in southern areas, such as Canton and Fujian.<ref name="aratake"/> It has also been conflated with the cult of Lord Earth, Tugong ([[Tudigong]]), and inscriptions on tablets invoke the {{zhp|p=Wufang wutu longshen|c=五方五土龍神|tr=Dragon Spirits of the Five Directions and Five Soils}} in rituals current in Southeast Asia (Vietnam).<ref>{{harvp|Zhang|2014|p=81}} on Vietnamese custom; p. 53 on Lord Earth veneration with five dragon kings as ancillaries.</ref>

=== Description ===
''The [[Azure Dragon]] or [[Blue-green|Blue-Green]] Dragon'' ({{zhi|c=靑龍|p=Qīnglóng}}), or Green Dragon ({{zhi|c=蒼龍|p=Cānglóng}}), is the Dragon God of the east, and of the essence of spring.{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}} Azure Dragon is associated as the Dragon King of the East sea, [[Ao Guang]].

''The Red Dragon'' ({{zhi|c=赤龍|p=Chìlóng}} or {{zhi|c=朱龍|p=Zhūlóng}}, literally "Cinnabar Dragon", "[[Vermilion]] Dragon") is the Dragon God of the south and of the essence of summer.{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}} The Red Dragon is associated as the Dragon king of the South sea, Ao Qin.

''The White Dragon'' ({{zhi|c=白龍|p=Báilóng}}) is the Dragon God of the west and the essence of autumn. The White Dragon is associated as the Dragon King of the West sea, [[Ao Run]].

''The [[Yellow Dragon]]'' ({{zhi|c=黃龍|p=Huánglóng}}) is the Dragon God of the center, associated with (late) summer.{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"| [[Yellow Emperor]] is sometimes considered an incarnation of the Yellow dragon<!--and as such, he represents the source of the myriad things-->.{{sfnb|Fowler|2005|pp=200–201}}}} Yellow Dragon is directly associated as [[Jade Emperor]] and [[Yellow Emperor]], it is considered that the mythical Emperor is the reincarnation of the Yellow Dragon.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Press |first=Beijing Foreign Language |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oen_AgAAQBAJ |title=Chinese Auspicious Culture |date=2012-09-01 |publisher=Asiapac Books Pte Ltd |isbn=978-981-229-642-9 |language=en}}</ref>

''The Black Dragon'' ({{zhi|c=黑龍|p=Hēilóng}}), also called "Dark Dragon" or "Mysterious Dragon" ({{zhi|c=玄龍|p=Xuánlóng}}), is the Dragon God of the north and the essence of winter.{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}} The Black Dragon is associated as the Dragon King of the North sea, Ao Shun.

=== Broad history ===
[[File:四海龍王.jpg|thumb|Four Dragon Kings, Qing dynasty.]]
[[File:水陆画宝宁寺_四海龙王诸神众.jpg|thumb|Ming Dynasty [[Shuilu ritual paintings|Shuilu ritual painting]] from Baoning Temple in [[Shanxi]], [[China]].]]
[[File:Yangjian taisui(1609).jpg|thumb|''Yangjian taisui Wulong Tugong Tumu Zaoshen xiang '' (Ming dynasty, 1609AD){{sfnb|Zhang|2014|p=53}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|The title gives ''wulong'' or five dragons, but the figure with a pair of hands growing out of eye socket is Yangjian taisui ''aka'' {{interlanguage link|Yang Yin (Investiture of the Gods)|zh|楊任 (封神演義)}}, and the other figures are the azure dragon, tiger, and vermillion bird from the [[Four Symbols]].}}{{right|{{small|—Held by the [[Capital Museum]]}}}}]]
Dragons of the Five Regions/Directions existed in Chinese custom,{{sfnb|Monta|2012|p=13}}<!--五龍祭のもとになったのは道教に由来する五方を司る龍王とされ--> established by the [[Former Han]] period<small>(200BCE)</small> (Cf. [[#Origins|§Origins]] below).{{sfnb|Monta|2012|p=13}} The same concept couched in "dragon king"  (''longwang'') terminology from "dragon" was centuries later,{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=13–15}} the term "dragon king" being imported from India ([[Sanskrit]] ''[[Nagaraja|naga-raja]]''),<ref name="tan_chung"/> vis Buddhism,<ref name="aratake"/> introduced during 1st century CE the [[Han dynasty#Eastern Han|Later Han]].<ref name="lock&linebarger"/>

The five "Dragon Kings" which were correlated with the Five Colors<!--blue, red, yellow, white, black--> and Five Directions are attested uniquely in one work among Buddhist scriptures ({{Transliteration|sa|sūtra}}), called the {{zhp|p=Foshuo guanding jing|c=佛說灌頂經|tr=Consecration Sūtra Expounded by the Buddha}} early 4th century.{{efn|Unique, as far as Monta is aware<!--管見では[As far as I have seen]-->.{{sfnb|Monta|2012|p=15}} It gives the names of the for the dragon kings of the five colors and five directions.<ref name="yamaguchi.kenji"/>}}{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=13, 15}} Attributed to [[Po-Srimitra]], it is a pretended translation, or "apocryphal sutra" ([[Post-canonical Buddhist texts|post-canonical]] text),{{sfnb|Monta|2012|p=15}}<ref name="sun"/> but its influence on later rituals (relating to entombment) is not dismissable.<ref name="sun"/>

The dragon king cult was most active around the [[Sui dynasty|Sui]]-[[Tang dynasty]], according to one scholar,{{sfnb|Zhang|2014|p=44}} but another observes that the cult spread farther afield with the backing of [[Song dynasty]] monarchs who built Dragon King Temples (or rather Taoist [[Miao shrine|shrines]]),<ref name="wang.fang"/> and [[Emperor Huizong of Song]] (12th century) conferred investiture upon them as local kings.<ref name="dore1917"/> But the dragon king and other spell incantations came to be discouraged in Buddhism within China, because they were based on eclectic (apocryphal) sutras and the emphasis grew for the orthodox sutras,{{sfnb|Zhang|2014|p=45}} or put another way, the [[quinary system]] (based on number 5) was being superseded by the number 8 or number 12 being held more sacred.{{sfnb|Faure|2005|pp=76–77}}

During the [[Tang period]], the dragon kings were also regarded as guardians that safeguard homes and pacify tombs, in conjunction with the worship of [[Tudigong|Lord Earth]].{{Refn|{{zhp|p=Anzhai shenzhou jing|c=|安宅神咒經|tr=Sūtra of the divine formula for pacifying a house}}. The spell invokes the white and black dragon kings, and three by name,{{sfnb|Zhang|2014|p=44}} but the names don't really match those given by the {{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Foshuo guanding jing}}.}} Buddhist rainmaking rituals were also learned during [[Tang dynasty]] China.

The concept was transmitted to [[Japan]] alongside [[Vajrayana Buddhism]],{{efn|Cf. Tradition that emphasizes esoteric practices and rituals aimed at rapid spiritual awakening.}} and also practiced as rites in {{Transliteration|ja|[[Onmyōdō]]}} during the [[Heian Period]].<ref>{{harvp|Faure|2005}}, p. 72 (abstract); pp. 76–77: "the gods of the Five Directions, called the Five Dragons ({{Transliteration|ja|goryū}} {{lang|ja|五龍)}} or the Five Emperors ({{Transliteration|ja|gotei}} {{lang|ja|五帝}}). "</ref><ref name="drakakis"/>

=== Five dragons ===
;(Origins)
The idea of associating the five directions/regions ({{zhi|p=wufang|c=五方}}) with the five colors is found in [[Confucian]] classic text,{{Refn|''[[Rites of Zhou]]'', "Chapter 6: Office of Winter"  (2nd centudry BC).{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=13–14}} }}

The ''Huainanzi'' (2nd cent. BC) describes the five colored dragons (azure/green, red, white, black, yellow)  and their associations (Chapter 4: Terrestrial Forms),<ref>{{Cite wikisource|title=淮南子/墬形訓|author=劉安|wslanguage=zh}}</ref><ref name="huainanzi-tr-major4.19"/><ref name="huang.fushan"/> as well as the placement of sacred beasts in the five directions (the [[Four Symbols]] beasts, dragon, tiger, bird, tortoise in the four cardinal directions and the yellow dragon.{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=13–14}}<ref>{{Cite wikisource|title=淮南子/天文訓|author=劉安|wslanguage=zh}}</ref><ref name="huainanzi-tr-major3.6"/>

And the ''[[Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals]]'' attributed to [[Dong Zhongshu]] (2nd cent. BC) describes the ritual involving five colored dragons.{{sfnb|Monta|2012|p=14}}

=== Attestations of Five Dragon Kings ===

==== Consecration Sutra ====
The [[Post-canonical Buddhist texts|apocryphal]]<ref name="sun"/> {{zhi|p=Foshuo guanding jing|c=佛說灌頂經|tr=Consecration Sūtra Expounded by the Buddha}} (early 4th century, attributed to [[Po-Srimitra]] {{zhi|c=帛尸梨蜜多羅}}), which purports to be Buddhist teachings but in fact incorporates elements of Chinese traditional belief,{{Refn|Yamaguchi, citing the {{Transliteration|ja|Daizōkyō zenkaisetsu daijiten}}: {{lang|ja|"[『仏説灌頂経』は]仏典ではあるが、 「中国の俗信仰的要素が認められる」（雄山閣『大蔵経全解説大事典』）"}}.<ref name="yamaguchi.kenji"/>}} associates five dragon kings with five colored dragons with five directions, as aforementioned.{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=13, 15}}

The text gives the personal names of the kings. To the east is the Blue Dragon Spirit King ({{zhi|c=青龍神王}}) named {{zhp|p=Āxiūhē|s=阿修訶|t=阿脩訶}}, with 49 dragon kings under him, with 70 [[-yllion|myriad myllion]] lesser dragons, mountain spirits, and assorted {{zhi|p=mei|c=魅}} demons as minions. The thrust of this scripture is that in everywhere in every direction, there are the minions causing poisonings and ailments, and their lord the dragon kings must be beseeched in prayer to bring relief. In the south is the Red Dragon Spirit King named {{zhp|p=Nàtóuhuàtí|c=那頭化提}}, in the west the White, called {{zhp|p=Hēlóusàchātí|s=訶樓薩叉提|t=訶樓薩扠提}}, in the north the Black, called {{zhp|p=Nàyètílóu|c=那業提婁}} and at center the Yellow, called {{zhp|p=Dūlúobōtí|c=闍羅波提}}, with different numbers subordinate dragon kings, with minion hordes of lesser dragons and other beings.<ref name="yamaguchi.kenji"/><ref name="higashi2006"/>

Though connection of poison to rainmaking may not be obvious, it has been suggested that this poison-banishing sutra could have viably been read as a replacement in the execution of the ritual to pray for rain ({{Transliteration|ja|shōugyōhō}}, {{lang|ja|請雨経法}}), in Japan.{{sfnp|Trenson|2002|p=468}} A medieval commentary ({{Transliteration|ja|Ryūō-kōshiki}}, copied 1310) has reasoned that since the Great Peacock ([[Mahamayuri|Mahāmāyūrī]]) sūtra mandates one to chant dragon names in order to detoxify, so shall [[Offering (Buddhism)|offerings]] made to dragon lead to "sweet rain".{{sfnb|Ariga|2020|pp=179–178}}

==== Divine Incantations Scripture ====

The {{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|wangfang}} ("five position") dragon kings are also attested in the {{zhp|p=[[Divine Incantations Scripture|Taishang dongyuan shenzhou jing]]|c=太上洞淵神咒經|tr=Most High Cavernous Abyss Divine Spells Scripture}},{{efn|Or "The Most High Dongyuan Scripture of Divine Spells"}}<ref name="wang.fang"/> though not explicitly under the collective name of "five position dragon kings", but individually as "Eastern Direction's Blue Emperor Blue Dragon King ({{lang|zh|東方青帝青龍王}})", and so forth.<ref name="taishang_dongyuan_juan13"/> It gives a laundry list of dragon kings by different names, stating that spells to cause rain can be performed by invoking dragon kings.{{sfnb|Sakade|2010|pp=61–65}}

=== Ritual process ===

An ancient procedural instruction for invoking five-colored dragons to conduct [[Rainmaking (ritual)|rainmaking rites]] occurs in the ''Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals'', under its "Seeking Rain" chapter (originally 2nd century B.C.). It prescribes earthenware figurines of greater and lesser dragons of a specific color according to season, namely blue-green, red, yellow, white, black, depending on whether it was spring, summer, late summer ({{interlanguage link|jixia|zh|季夏|lt=''jìxià''}}), autumn, or winter. And these figures were to be placed upon the alter at the assigned position/direction (east, south, center, west, or north).{{Refn|"... that is to say, ''canglong'' [blue-green dragon] to the east in spring, the red dragon tp the south in summer, the yellow dragon to the center in late summer (''jìxià''), white dragon to the west in autumn, and black dragon to the north in winter ..{{lang|ja|すなわち、春は蒼龍を東に、夏は赤龍を南に、[[:zh:季夏|季夏]]は黄龍を中央に、秋は白龍を西に、冬は黒龍を北にそれぞれ配置するとされている"}}.{{sfnb|Monta|2012|p=14}}}}

This Chinese folk rain ritual later became incorporated into [[Daoism]].{{sfnb|Sakade|2010|pp=61–65}} The rituals were codified into Daoist scripture or Buddhist sūtras in the post-[[Later Han (25-220)|Later Han]] ({{interlanguage link|Six Dynasties|zh|魏晋南北朝|preserve=1}}<!--or the Wei, Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties-->) period,{{sfnb|Monta|2012|p=13}} but Dragon King worship did not come into ascendancy until the Sui-Tang dynasties.{{sfnb|Zhang|2014|p=44}} The [[rain ritual]]s in [[Esoteric Buddhism]] in the Tang dynasty was actually an adaptation of indigenous Chinese dragon worship and rainmaking beliefs, rather than pure Buddhism.{{sfnb|Sakade|2010|pp=61–65}}

As a point of illustration, a comparison can be made against Buddhist procedures for rainmaking during the Tang dynasty. The rainmaking tract in Atikūṭa {{lang|zh|阿地瞿多}}'s translated {{interlanguage link|Dhāraṇīsamuccaya Sūtra|zh|陀羅尼集經|lt=''Collected Dhāraṇī Sūtras''}}, (Book 11, under the chapter for {{zhi|tr=Rain Prayer Altar Method |p=qíyǔ tánfǎ |c=祈雨壇法}}) prescribes an altar to be built, with mud figures of dragon kings placed on the four sides, and numerous mud-made lesser dragons arranged within and without the altar.{{sfnb|Sakade|2010|pp=61–65}}{{Refn|{{interlanguage link|Raiyu|ja|頼瑜}}'s edited work {{Transliteration|ja|Hishō mondō}} {{lang|ja|秘鈔問答}} quotes from this sutra: "As the Collected [[Dhāraṇī]] Sūtras, 11 states, this altar should have a single-walled and four-gated boundary be made around its field. And on the East gate of the altar, the gate officer should be crafted out of mud, in the embodiment of the dragon king<!--translation mine (Kiyoweap)--> {{lang|ja|其壇界畔作一重而開四門。壇之東門将以泥土作、龍王身}}".{{sfnb|Ariga|2020|p=173}}}}

==Dragon Kings of the Four Seas==
[[File:Template of Dragon King at Sanya.JPG|thumb|Temple of the Dragon King of the South Sea in [[Sanya]], [[Hainan]].]]
Each one of the four Dragon Kings of the [[Four Seas]] ({{zhi|c=四海龍王|p=Sìhǎi Lóngwáng}}) is associated with a body of water corresponding to one of the four [[cardinal direction]]s and natural boundaries of [[China]]:{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}} the '''East Sea''' (corresponding to the [[East China Sea]] also, parts of the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]), the '''South Sea''' (corresponding to the [[South China Sea]], [[West Philippine Sea|West Philippines Sea]] ), the '''West Sea''' (The [[Qinghai Lake]] sometimes also, [[Indian Ocean]] , [[Bay of Bengal]] and beyond), and the '''North Sea''' ([[Lake Baikal]] , [[Sea of Japan]], and also the [[Arctic Ocean]]).<ref name="tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com"/>

They appear in the classical novels like ''[[The Investiture of the Gods]]'' and ''[[Journey to the West]]''. In ''[[Ramayana]]'' Ocean King [[Varuna]]<small>([[Ao Run|Ao-Run]])</small><ref name="metmuseum.org">{{Citation |title=Varuna, Lord of Knowledge; Regent of the West, 9th century |date= |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/72310 |access-date=2025-08-13}}</ref> assists [[Rama]] to create the Ram-setu.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doe |first=John |title=Ram Sethu Bridge {{!}} Tamil Nadu Tourism |url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/ram-sethu-bridge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250316194057/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/ram-sethu-bridge |archive-date=2025-03-16 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Tamilnadu Tourism |language=en}}</ref>

In ''[[Investiture of the Gods|Fengshen Yanyi]]'' and ''[[Journey to the West]]'' where each of them has a proper name, and they share the surname Ao ({{lang|zh-hant|敖}}, meaning "playing" or "proud"). The origin of their [[Surname|family name]], Ao (敖), however, remains unclear. The names of the Dragon Kings also vary according to the stories they are featured in.

=== Dragon of the Eastern Sea ===
{{Main|Azure Dragon|Ao Guang}}
His proper name is [[Ao Guang]] ({{zhi|c=敖廣}} or {{zhi|c=敖光}}), and he is the patron of the [[East China Sea]]. He is often directly associated as the Dragon King [[Sāgara (Dragon King)|Sagara]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Personal salvation and filial piety: two precious scroll narratives of Guanyin and her acolytes |date=2008 |publisher=University of Hawai'i Press |isbn=978-0-8248-3215-5 |editor-last=Idema |editor-first=W. L. |series=Classics in East Asian Buddhism |location=Honolulu}}</ref>

=== Dragon of the Western Sea ===
{{main|Ao Run}}
His proper names are Ao Run ({{zhi|c=敖閏}}), Ao Jun ({{zhi|c=敖君}}) or Aó Jí ({{zhi|c=敖吉}}). He is the patron of [[Qinghai Lake]], sometimes also the [[Indian Ocean]], [[Bay of Bengal]] and beyond. Naga king [[Varuna]] is associated as him many times due to relations with Chinese Western Religion.<ref name="metmuseum.org"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shīlāditya {{!}} The Record of the Western Regions, diplomatic ties between India and China {{!}} Dictionary of Buddhism {{!}} Nichiren Buddhism Library |url=https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/S/132 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241012114634/https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/S/132 |archive-date=2024-10-12 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.nichirenlibrary.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Dragon of the Southern Sea ===
He is the patron of the [[South China Sea]], [[West Philippine Sea]] and his proper name is Ao Qin ({{zhi|c=敖欽}}).

=== Dragon of the Northern Sea ===
His proper names are Ao Shun ({{zhi|c=敖順}}) or Ao Ming ({{zhi|c=敖明}}), and his body of water is [[Lake Baikal]], [[Sea of Japan]] sometimes also, the [[Arctic Ocean]].

==Worship of the Dragon God==
Worship of the Dragon God is celebrated throughout China with sacrifices and processions during the fifth and sixth moons, and especially on the date of his birthday the thirteenth day of the sixth moon.{{sfnb|Tom|1989|p=55}} A folk religious movement of [[associations of good-doing]] in modern [[Hebei]] is primarily devoted to a generic Dragon God whose icon is a tablet with his name inscribed on it, utilized in a ritual known as the "movement of the Dragon Tablet".<ref>{{cite book |author=Zhiya Hua |title=Dragon's Name: A Folk Religion in a Village in South-Central Hebei Province |publisher=Shanghai People's Publishing House |date=2013 |isbn=978-7208113299}}</ref> The Dragon God is traditionally venerated with [[Dragon boat|dragon boat racing]].

In coastal regions of China, Korea, Vietnam, traditional legends and worshipping of [[whale]]s (whale gods) have been referred to Dragon Kings after the arrival of Buddhism.<ref>{{cite journal |author=李 善愛 |date=1999 |script-title=ja:護る神から守られる神へ : 韓国とベトナムの鯨神信仰を中心に |pages=195–212 |journal=国立民族学博物館調査報告 |volume=149 |language=ja}}</ref>

==Buddhism==
''"There were '''eight dragon kings'''''<ref>{{Cite web |title=eight great dragon kings {{!}} Dictionary of Buddhism {{!}} Nichiren Buddhism Library |url=https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/E/27 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241012125052/https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/E/27 |archive-date=2024-10-12 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.nichirenlibrary.org |language=en}}</ref>'', the dragon king '''Nanda''', the dragon king '''Upananda''', the dragon king [[Sāgara (Dragon King)|'''Sagara''']], the dragon king '''[[Vasuki]]''', the dragon king '''[[Takshaka]]''', the dragon king '''Anavatapta''', the dragon king '''Manasvin''', the dragon king '''Utpalaka''', each with several hundreds of thousands of followers."''  - Dragon King Sutra <ref name="Greve">{{Cite web |last=Greve |first=Gabi |date=2008-02-24 |title=Dragon King Sutra |url=https://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2008/02/dragon-king-sutra.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=SPECIAL GALLERIES ..... DARUMA MUSEUM (03)}}</ref><ref>Dragon King Sea sutra, [https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/D/114 Nichirenlibrary, Buddhist Library]</ref><ref name="tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com" />

In chapter 12 of the [[Lotus Sutra]](Devadatta), The eight-year-old daughter([[Longnü]]) of the dragon king [[Sāgara (Dragon King)|Sagara]] <small>([[Ao Guang|Ao-Guang]])</small> attained [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|Enlightenment]] after offering a jewel to Buddha [[The Buddha|Sakyamuni]], hearing Bodhisattva [[Manjushri]] and [[Avalokiteśvara]]<small>(Bodhisattva [[Guanyin]])</small> preach the sutra in place of her father.<ref>{{Cite web |title=two admonitions {{!}} Dictionary of Buddhism {{!}} Nichiren Buddhism Library |url=https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/T/308 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250420222501/https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/T/308 |archive-date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.nichirenlibrary.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>Kato, Bunno; Tamura, Yoshirō (1975). The Threefold Lotus Sutra: The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings; [https://web.archive.org/web/20140421004625if_/http://www.rk-world.org/publications/ThreefoldLotusSutra.pdf ''The Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law; The Sutra of Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue (PDF)'']. Translated by Kōjirō Miyasaka. New York/Tōkyō: Weatherhill & Kōsei Publishing. Archived from the original on 2014-04-21.</ref> In the Budhhist folk tale ''Complete Tale of Avalokiteśvara and the Southern Seas'', the [[Ao Bing|third son]] of the Dragon king was accidentally captured by a fisherman and later saved by Bodhisattva [[Avalokiteśvara]]. To show her gratitude for saving her brother, Longnü offers the "Pearl of light" to Avalokiteśvara and became a disciple of him and soon later Longnü attained [[Nirvana (Buddhism)|Niravana]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nKimqfLnB1IC&dq=carp&pg=PA31 |title=Personal Salvation and Filial Piety: Two Precious Scroll Narratives of Guanyin and Her Acolytes |date=2008-02-20 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-3215-5 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Tibetan Buddhism]], the nāgas are the followers of [[Virūpākṣa]] (Pāli: Virūpakkha), one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] who guards the western direction. They act as guards upon [[Mount Meru|Mount Sumeru]], protecting the [[Deva (Hinduism)|dēvas]] of [[Trāyastriṃśa]] from attacks by the [[asura]]s. <small>(Main article [[Nagaraja|Nāgaraja]], [[Virūpākṣa]])</small>

[[Apalala|Apalāla]] (Pali, Sanskrit) is a water-dwelling Nāga-king in [[Buddhist mythology]]. The story of conversion to Buddhism by the Buddha (Pali: Apalāladamana) can be found in Buddhist texts such as [[Samantapasadika|Samantapāsādikā]] and [[Divyavadana|Divyāvadāna]].<ref>A naga king, converted by the Buddha. He is mentioned together with Aravala, Dhanapala and Parileyyaka.  [https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/apalala Wisdom Library.]</ref>

Some [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] traditions describe a figure named Duo-luo-shi-qi, or Talasikhin, as a Dragon King who resides in a palace located in a pond near the legendary kingdom of [[Ketumati]]. It is said that at midnight, he would drizzle in this pond to cleanse himself of dust.<ref>{{cite book |author1=[[Ji Xianlin]] |author2=[[Georges-Jean Pinault]] |author3=[[Werner Winter (linguist)|Werner Winter]] |title=Fragments of the Tocharian A Maitreyasamiti-Nataka of the Xinjiang Museum, China |publisher=[[De Gruyter]] |year=1998 |page=15 |isbn=9783110816495}}</ref>

[[Buddhist art|Buddhist literature]] features a Nāga King named [[Dhṛtarāṣṭra]](Sanskrit; Pali: Dhataraṭṭha), he is one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings|four Heavenly kings]] who guards the east. He was the father of [[The Buddha|Gautama Buddha]] in a past life when Budhha was bodhisattva named ''Bhūridatta''. He is mentioned in Buddhist texts ''Bhūridatta Jātaka'', the [[Mahamayuri Vidyarajni Sutra]]  and the [[Mahāmegha Sūtra]].<ref>"[https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dhritarashtra#buddhism Dhṛtarāṣṭra]". Wisdom Library. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 2019-02-20</ref>

==Artistic depictions==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160" caption="Longwang in art">
File:三星堆-青铜龙_Sanxingdui_bronze_Chinese_dragon.jpg|[[Bronze Age|Bronze]] dragon from [[Sanxingdui]], [[Shang dynasty]], [[China]]. 1000 BCE<ref name=":0">[[Chinese dragon]]</ref>
File:Naga King Sculpture.jpg|High relief sculpture of Naga couple, from [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta Cave]] #19, [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. 500–1000 BCE<ref>[https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/ic/id/6722/ University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections]</ref>
File:Dragon_Pendant,_Eastern_Zhou_dynasty_or_Warring_States_period,_c_4th_3rd_century_BC.jpg|Jade dragon pendants, [[Zhou dynasty]], [[China]]. 200–1000 BCE<ref name=":0" />
File:大天后宮四海龍王神像.jpg|The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas at the [[Grand Matsu Temple]] in [[Tainan]].
File:安平開臺天后宮四海龍王.jpg|The four Dragon Kings at the [[Tianhou Temple (Anping)|Temple of Mazu]] in [[Anping District|Anping]], Tainan.
File:Dragon image roof ryutakuji.jpg|Dragon at [[Ryūkaku-ji|Ryūtaku-ji Temple]] structure, [[Japan]].
File:National Museum Vietnamese History 3.jpg|A [[Lý dynasty]] [[terracotta]] dragon's head, [[Vietnam]].
File:Dragon King.jpg|A wooden sculpture of a Dragon King from [[Japan]]'s [[Izumo Province|Izumo]] district, it is believed to belong to a group of more than twenty Shinto deities ([[Kami]]).
File:Dragon king ryu-oo horyuji.jpg|Ryū-ō 竜王 (Dragon King) Sanskrit = Naga-Raja, 7th Century, [[Hōryū-ji|Hōryū-ji Temple]], Japan.
File:Censer phoenix.jpg|''Censer of leaping carp transforming into dragon''. Unknown artist. [[China]] 17th century, [[Ming dynasty|Ming Dynasty]], [[Phoenix Art Museum]].
File:Rồng trên cổ vật Dragon on antiquities13 (7061149771).jpg|[[Nguyễn dynasty]] bronze [[incense burner]], [[Vietnam]].
File:Naga at Wat Baan Den.jpg|A [[Nāga|naga]] at [[Wat Den Sali Si Mueang Kaen|Wat Baan Den]] near [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]].
File:Naga guarding stupa.jpg|[[Nāga|Nagas]] guarding a [[Stupa|Buddhist stupa]] to ward off evil spirits, [[Thailand]].
File:Dragon tenryuji ceiling dragon.jpg|Dragon, Ceiling Painting at [[Tenryū-ji|Tenryū-ji Temple]], [[Kyoto]], Japan. Rinzai Zen Sect. (Upcoming) Dragon temple structures in Japan. Dragon at [[Ryutakuji Temple|Ryūtaku-ji Temple]].
File:Nine dragons handscroll.jpg|''Nine Dragons Hand Scroll'' (Detail) - 九龍圖卷 (陳容) Chinese, [[Song dynasty|Southern Song dynasty]], dated 1244, [[Chen Rong (painter)|Chen Rong]], Chinese, first half of the 13th century. [[Museum of Fine Arts, Boston]].
File:Dragon king saving Buddha.jpg|''The Dragon King revering the [[The Buddha|Buddha]]'', an ink painting from [[China]] (1368–1644).
File:Kanouha dragon painting.jpg|''Dragon Painting'' by [[Kanō Tsunenobu|Kano Tsunenobu]] 狩野常信 ([[Kanō school|Kanou School]]),16th - 17th Century.<ref>Source - www.honmonji.or.jp/05topic/06info/reihoden/kanou/tokubetutenji.html</ref>
</gallery>

== Japan ==

As already mentioned, Esoteric Buddhists in Japan who initially learned their trade from Tang dynasty China engaged in rainmaking ritual prayers invoking dragon kings under a system known as {{interlanguage link|shōugyōhō|ja|請雨経法|lt=''shōugyōhō''}} or {{Transliteration|ja|shōugyō [no] hō}}, established in the [[Shingon sect]] founded by the priest [[Kūkai]], who learned Buddhism in Tang China. It was first performed by Kūkai in the year 824 at [[Shinsenen|Shinsen'en]], according to legend, but the first occasion probably took place historically in the year 875, then a second time in 891. The rain ritual came to be performed regularly.{{sfnb|Trenson|2002|p=455}}{{sfnb|Trenson|2018|p=276}}{{sfnb|Ariga|2020|pp=175–174}}

The {{Transliteration|ja|shōugyōhō}} ritual used two [[mandala]]s that featured dragon kings. The Great Mandala that was hung up was of a design that centered around [[Sakyamuni]] Buddha, surrounded by the {{interlanguage link|Eight Great Dragon Kings|ja|八大竜王}}, the ten thousand dragon kings, [[Bodhisattvas]] (based on the {{zhi|p=Dayunlun qingyu jing|c=大雲輪請雨經}}, "Scripture of [Summoning] Great Clouds and Petitioning for Rain").{{sfnb|Ariga|2020|pp=175–174}}<ref name="iwata-ch32"/>{{sfnb|Trenson|2018|loc=p. 277, n13, n14}} The other one was a "spread-out mandala" ({{Transliteration|ja|shiki mandara}} {{lang|ja|敷曼荼羅}}) laid flat out on its back, and depicted five dragon kings, which were one-, three-, five-, seven-, and nine-headed (based on the ''Collected Dhāraṇī Sūtras'').{{sfnb|Ariga|2020|pp=175–174}}

Also, there was the "Five Dragons Festival/ritual" ({{Transliteration|ja|Goryūsai}} {{lang|ja|五龍祭}}) that was performed by {{Transliteration|ja|[[onmyōji]]}} or yin-yang masters.<ref name="drakakis"/>{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=18–19}} The oldest mention of this in literature is from ''[[Fusō Ryakuki]]'', the entry of Engi 2/902AD, 17th day of the 6th moon.{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=18–19}} Sometimes, the performance of the rain ritual by Esoteric Buddhists (''shōugyōhō'') would be followed in succession by the Five Dragons Ritual from the {{interlanguage link|Yin-Yang Bureau|ja|陰陽寮}}.{{sfnb|Ruppert|2002|pp=157–158}} The Five Dragon rites performed by the ''[[onmyōji]]'' or yin yang masters had their heyday around the 10–11th centuries.{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=18–19}} There are ''[[mokkan]],'' or inscribed wooden tablets, used in these rites that have been unearthed (e.g., from an 8–10th century site and a 9th-century site).{{sfnb|Monta|2012|pp=6–7}}

In Japan, there also developed a legend that the primordial being Banko ([[Pangu]] of Chinese myth) sired the Five Dragon Kings, who were invoked in the ritual texts or {{interlanguage link|saimon (liturgy)|ja|祭文|lt=''saimon''}} read in Shinto or Onmyōdō rites, but the five beings later began to be seen less as monsters and more as wise princes.{{sfnb|Faure|2005|pp=82–85}}

== [[Dragon King of Bhutan|Dragon Kings of Bhutan]] ==
Also the [[Kings of Bhutan]] are called the Dragon King as [[Bhutan]] in its native language is known as Drukyul which translates as "The Land of Dragon". Thus, while [[kings of Bhutan]] are known as [[Druk Gyalpo]] meaning [[Dragon King (Bhutan)]], the [[Demographics of Bhutan|Bhutanese]] people call themselves the Drukpa, meaning "people of [[Druk]] (Bhutan)". Present King '''[[Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck]]''' is the 5th Dragon King.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ཡབ་སྲས་གཉིས་ཀྱི་ཤུལ་བཞག། {{!}} འབྲུག་ ༢༠༠༨ |url=http://www.bhutan2008.bt/dz/node/529 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327104628/http://www.bhutan2008.bt/dz/node/529 |archive-date=2012-03-27 |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=www.bhutan2008.bt |language=dz}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Chinese folk religion}}
* [[Chinese dragon]]
* [[Dragon king theory]]
* [[Lạc Long Quân]] 
* [[Nagaraja]]
* [[Nāga]]
* ''[[Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King]]''
* [[Shenlong]] (神龍)
* [[Tianlong]] (天龍)
* [[Typhoon Longwang]]
* [[Watatsumi]]
* [[Ryūjin]]
* ''[[Wufang Shangdi|Wǔfāng Shàngdì]]'' - "Highest Deities of the Five Regions"
* [[Yinglong]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="aratake">{{citation|last=Aratake |first=Kenichiro|author-link=:ja:荒武賢一朗 |title=Amakusa shotō no rekishi to genzai |script-title=ja:天草諸島の歴史と現在 |publisher=Institute for Cultural Interaction Studies, Kansai University<!--関西大学文化交涉学教育研究拠点--> |date=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qSBaACqq8YoC&q=五方+龍神 |pages=110–112 |isbn=<!--4990621336, -->9784990621339 |quotation=<!--ところが、仏教が中国に伝わってきた後、中国の龍神も守護神という新しい神格を持つようになった。古来インドには、ナーガと呼ばれる蛇の表徴がある。そして、仏典における「ナーガ」を中国語に訳された時、ほとんど「龍」や「龍王」に訳された。したがって、仏教の龍神思想から影響を受け、中国の龍神思想もまた蛇と深く関わるようになった。... 現在、特に中国の南方である広東省や福建省にはまだ五方土地龍神を祀るところがみられる。-->}}</ref>

<ref name="dore1917">{{cite book |last=Doré |first=Henri |author-link=:fr:Henri Doré |translator1=M. Kennelly |translator2=D. J. Finn |translator3=L. F. McGreat |title=Researches into Chinese Superstitions. First Part. Superstitious Practices |volume=V |location=Shanghai |publisher=T'usewei Printing Press |year=1917 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xr4sAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA682 |page=682}}</ref>

<ref name="drakakis">{{cite book|last=Drakakis |first=Athanathios |author-link=<!--Athanathios Drakakis--> |chapter=60. Onmōdō and Esoteric Buddhism  |editor1-last=Orzech|editor1-first=Charles |editor1-link=<!--Charles Orzech--> |editor2-last=Sørensen |editor2-first=Henrik H. |editor2-link=<!--Henrik H. Sørensen--> |editor3-last=Payne |editor3-first=Richard |editor3-link=<!--Richard Payne (scholar)--> |title=Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia |publisher=BRILL |date=2010 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MOJ5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA687 |page=687<!--683–690--> |isbn=<!--9004204016, -->9789004204010}}</ref>

<ref name="heibonsha-ryuoshinko">Takeshi Suzuki<!--鈴木 健之--> (2007) "''Ryūō shinkō'' 竜王信仰" ''Sekai daihyakkajiten'', Heibonsha; [https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%AB%9C%E7%8E%8B%E4%BF%A1%E4%BB%B0-1215805 竜王信仰] ''Sekai daihyakkajiten'', 2nd. ed.,<!--世界大百科事典 第2版--> via Kotobank</ref>

<ref name="higashi2006">{{cite book|last=Higashi |first=Shigemi |author-link=:ja:東茂美 |title=Yamanoue-no-Okura no kenkyū |script-title=ja:山上憶良の研究 |publisher=Kanrin shobō<!--翰林書房--> |date=2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xvZNAQAAIAAJ&q=五方龍王9 |pages=824–825 |isbn=<!--487737230X, -->9784877372309}}</ref>

<ref name="huainanzi-tr-major3.6">{{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Major et al. tr.|2010}} |author=Liu An |author-link=Liu An |translator1=John S. Major |translator2=Sarah A. Queen |translator3=Andrew Seth Meyer |translator4=Harold D. Roth |chapter=Celestial Patterns 3.6 |title=The Huainanzi |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2010 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=srirAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA118 |page=118 |isbn=<!--0231142048-->978-0-231-52085-0}}</ref>

<ref name="huainanzi-tr-major4.19">{{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Major et al. tr.|2010}} |author=Liu An |author-link=Liu An |translator1=John S. Major |translator2=Sarah A. Queen |translator3=Andrew Seth Meyer |translator4=Harold D. Roth |chapter=Terrestrial Forms 4.19 |title=The Huainanzi |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2010 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=srirAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA170 |pages=170–171 |isbn=<!--0231142048-->978-0-231-52085-0}}</ref>

<ref name="huang.fushan">{{cite book|ref={{SfnRef|Huang|2000}}|author=Huang Fushan |author-link=<!--黃復山 (淡江大學)--> |title=Dōnghàn chènwěi xué xīntàn |script-title=zh:東漢讖緯學新探 |trans-title=A New Probe into the Study of Prophecy and wefttext (''chenwei'') in the Eastern Han Dynasty |publisher=Taiwan xuesheng shuju<!--臺灣學生書局--> |date=2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AlReAAAAIAAJ&q=五色龍 |page=129 |isbn=<!--9571510033, , -->9789571510033 }}</ref>

<ref name="iwata-ch32">{{harvp|Iwata|1983}} "[https://books.google.com/books?hl=ja&id=w4U5AAAAMAAJ&dq=請雨経 Ch. 3 Goryūō kara gonin no ōji e第三章 五龍王から五人の王子へ]", p. 125.</ref>

<ref name="lock&linebarger">{{cite book|last1=Lock |first1=Graham |author1-link=<!--Graham Lock (scholar)--> |last2=Linebarger |first2=Gary S. |author2-link=<!--Gary S. Linebarger--> |chapter=Orientation |title=Chinese Buddhist Texts: An Introductory Reader |publisher=Routledge |date=2018 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=btJMDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT18 |pages=<!--unpaginated--> |isbn=<!--1317357949, -->9781317357940}}</ref>

<ref name="naoe1980">{{cite book|last=Naoe |first=Hiroji |author-link=:ja:直江広治 |others=Lin Huaiqing 林懷卿 (tr.) |title=Zhōngguó mínsúxué |script-title=zh:中國民俗學 |location=Tainan<!--台南--> |publisher=Shiyi Shuju<!--世一書局--> |date=1980 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qu6xAAAAIAAJ&q=龍王 |pages=109–110}}</ref>

<ref name="sun">{{cite journal|last=Sun |first=Wen |author-link=<!--Wen Sun (Sinologist)--> |title=Texts and Ritual: Buddhist Scriptural Tradition of the Stūpa Cult and the Transformation of Stūpa Burial in the Chinese Buddhist Canon |journal=Religions  |volume=10 |number=65 |date=4 December 2019 |url=https://res.mdpi.com/d_attachment/religions/religions-10-00658/article_deploy/religions-10-00658-v2.pdf |pages=4–5<!--14pp-->|doi=10.3390/rel10120658|publisher=MDPI|doi-access=free }}</ref>

<ref name="taishang_dongyuan_juan13">{{cite wikisource|author= |author-link=Longwang |chapter=Longwang pin / Weimyao shangping |script-chapter=zh:龍王品・微妙上品 |title=Taishang donyuan shenzhou jing |script-title=zh:太上洞淵神呪經  |volume=13 |date= |wslink=zh:太上洞淵神呪經/13#龍王品 |edition=}}</ref>

<ref name="tan_chung">{{cite book|author=Tan Chung |author-link=Tan Chung |chapter=Chapter 15. A Sino-Indian Perspective for India-China Understanding |editor1=Tan Chung |editor1-link=Tan Chung |editor2-last=Thakur |editor2-first=Ravni |editor2-link=<!--Ravni Thakur -->|title=Across the Himalayan Gap: An Indian Quest for Understanding China |location=New Delhi |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts/Gyan Publishing House |date=1998 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5rtGvnMrCTQC&pg=PA135 |page=135<!--133–148--> |isbn=<!--8121206170, -->9788121206174}}</ref>

<ref name="wang.fang">{{cite book|last=Wang |first=Fang |chapter=6.2 Anlan Dragon King Temple: Not-in-Capital Palace of the Qing Dynasty |title=Geo-Architecture and Landscape in China's Geographic and Historic Context: Volume 2 Geo-Architecture Inhabiting the Universe |location= |publisher=Springer |date=2016 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LALdDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA211 |page=211 |isbn=<!--9811004862, -->9789811004865}}</ref>

<ref name="yamaguchi.kenji">{{cite journal|last=Yamaguchi|first=Kenji|authorlink=<!--山口建治 YAMAGUCHI Kenji --> |title=Chūgoku minzokugaku Tō-dai onshin 'Gotei' kō: Mitama shinkō no genryū |script-title=ja:中國民俗學唐代瘟神「五帝」考—御霊信仰の源流— |journal=The study of nonwritten cultural materials<!--非文字資料研究--> |volume=10 |date=2014-03-20 |url=https://hugepdf.com/download/5b06f0638e4bd_pdf |pages=225–225<!--217–232--> |publisher=<!--神奈川大学日本常民文化研究所-->}}</ref>

}}

=== Sources ===
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* {{cite journal |last=Faure |first=Bernard R. |author-link=Bernard Faure |title=Pan Gu and his descendants: Chinese cosmology in medieval Japan |script-title=zh:盤古及其後代：論日本中古時代的中國宇宙論 |journal=Taiwan Journal of East Asian Studies<!--臺灣東亞文明硏究學刊--> |volume=2 |number=1 |date=June 2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xdsQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22yellow+dragon%22 |pages=71–88 |doi=10.7916/D8V40THT }} [http://tjeas.ciss.ntnu.edu.tw/zh-tw/shared/redirect/25?folder=journals&file=2-1-3.pdf pdf] @ National Taiwan Normal University
* {{cite book |last=Fowler |first=Jeanine D. |author-link=<!--Jeanine D. Fowler--> |year=2005 |title=An Introduction to the Philosophy and Religion of Taoism: Pathways to Immortality |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wi-ZDdmaqEC |url-status= |isbn=1845190866 }}{{dead link|date=September 2023}}
* {{cite book |last=Iwata |first=Masaru |author-link=:ja:岩田勝 |title=Kagura genryū kō |script-title=ja:神楽源流考 |publisher=Meicho shuppan<!--名著出版--> |date=1983 |url=https://books.goog岩田le.com/books?id=xvZNAQAAIAAJ&q=龍王 |pages= |isbn= }}
* {{citation |last=Monta |first=Seiichi |author-link=:ja:門田誠一 |title=Nihon kodai ni okeru gohōryū kankei shutsudo moji shiryō no shiteki haikei |script-title=ja:日本古代における五方龍関係出土文字史料の史的背景 |journal=Bukkyō Daigaku Shūkyō Bunka Myūjiamu Kenkyūj Kiyō<!--佛教大学宗教文化ミュージアム研究紀要--> |volume=8 |date=2012-03-30 |publisher=<!--佛教大学--> |url=http://archives.bukkyo-u.ac.jp/rp-contents/SB/0008/SB00080R005.pdf }}
* {{cite book |last=Nikaido |first=Yoshihiro |year=2015 |title=Asian Folk Religion and Cultural Interaction |publisher=Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TozUCgAAQBAJ |isbn=978-3847004851 }}
* {{cite book |last = Overmyer |first = Daniel L. |year = 2009 |title = Local Religion in North China in the Twentieth Century the Structure and Organization of Community Rituals and Beliefs |publisher = Brill |location = Leiden, South Holland; Boston, Massachusetts |url = http://cnqzu.com/library/To%20Organize/Books/Brill%20Ebooks/Brill._Handbook_of_Oriental_Studies/Brill.%20Handbook%20of%20Oriental%20Studies/Local_Religion_in_North_China_in_the_Twentieth_Century__Handbook_of_Oriental_Studies_.pdf |isbn = 9789047429364 |access-date = 2018-03-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616021930/http://cnqzu.com/library/To%20Organize/Books/Brill%20Ebooks/Brill._Handbook_of_Oriental_Studies/Brill.%20Handbook%20of%20Oriental%20Studies/Local_Religion_in_North_China_in_the_Twentieth_Century__Handbook_of_Oriental_Studies_.pdf |archive-date = 2015-06-16 |url-status = dead }}
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{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Commons-inline|Category:Dragon Kings|Dragon King}}

[[Category:Chinese dragons|King]]
[[Category:Chinese gods]]
[[Category:Journey to the West characters]]
[[Category:Nāgas]]
[[Category:Rain deities]]
[[Category:Sea and river gods]]
[[Category:Tutelary deities]]
[[Category:Water gods]]
[[Category:Sky and weather gods]]
[[Category:Dragon deities]]
[[Category:National personifications]]