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Well attestedNamed from the place

Chinese dragon

noun · first attested 19th century

It is a rain spirit with a hare's eyes, not a fire-breathing lizard.

The long, serpentine dragon of Chinese mythology, associated with water, rain and imperial authority.

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Relationship
Named from the place
Confidence
Well attestedThe place link is the standard scholarly account.
Attested
19th century
Part of speech
noun
Sources
Wiktionary: Chinese dragonWikidata: Q148

Explanations here are written for this atlas. Dictionary text is not copied; the sources are linked so the claim can be checked.

How it traveled
  1. Step 1

    People's Republic of China

  2. In English

    Chinese dragon

The entry

English needed the qualifier because the creature has almost nothing in common with the European dragon: the Chinese long is a benevolent water deity credited with rivers and rainfall rather than a monster to be killed. Imperial law reserved the five-clawed dragon for the emperor, leaving four claws for nobles and three for lower ranks. Some English writers now use the Chinese word directly, as loong.

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