The artistic evolution of the Chinese dragon from past to present

Dragons appear in the legends of many ancient cultures, but nowhere else in the world is the creature quite so revered as in China. The Chinese dragon is considered an auspicious creature. They can summon rain and clouds, and bring good fortune to the people they protect.

The popular image of the Chinese dragon as we know it today shows a creature with deer antlers, a camel's head, a rabbit's eyes, a snake's body, the belly of a crab, fish scales, eagle claws, tiger palms and ox ears. But it wasn't always this way.

Curator and antique collector Xiu Zhe explains that the images of the loong in Chinese culture have undergone immense changes.  

"China is a multi-ethnic nation. Throughout the succession of various dynasties, the rulers were not exclusively drawn from the Han ethnic group," said Xiu Zhe. "Their portrayal of dragons likely carried distinct ethnic characteristics."

Dragons have also been a favored subject in Chinese art. The 13th century artist Chen Rong was a master of Chinese dragon art. In 2017, one of his dragon paintings fetched $49 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York.

Qi Baishi, one of the greatest Chinese artists of the 20th century, emphasized the benevolent and auspicious qualities of this legendary creature. His depiction of the dragon conveys its playful and energetic spirit.

Qi Xinghua, a prominent contemporary artist who holds several Guinness World Records for his 3D murals, views the evolution of the loong image as a natural progression in the world of art. 

"We are living in an era of information overload," Qi stated, "This inevitably influences our artistic creations, resulting in distinctive works that differ from those of our predecessors."

The changing image of the Chinese dragon reflects the power of the imagination, and it also speaks volumes about how important these mythical creatures were, and still are, in Chinese culture.