Dragon Thursday

Dragon Thursday – Bendigo’s Dragons

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Good morning!

My friend Sally from Australia has been keeping me updated on the wonderful imperial dragons from the city of Bendigo in Victoria, Australia. 

The imperial dragons are at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo.

This video gives you the history of the museum and some information on the two Imperial Dragons that reside there.   Loong, 126 year old, is the world’s oldest imperial dragon and Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon in the world.

This article from ABC Australia

Sun Loong:

The Dragon that changed a town’s identity

 

These are beautiful dragons with a fascinating history.   Next week look for more on these dragons and how the curators of the Golden Dragon Museum are helping save a Hong Kong tradition. 

Golden Dragon Museum Facebook page

Dragon Thursday – How Many Dragons

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Good morning,

How many Dragons?

This is not just a question but a fun shop on Etsy.

How Many Dragons

From their About page:

My dragon-making was an on-and-off hobby for many years, but I decided to really start focusing on my skills in late 2012 and have since become a full-time artist. I run my own business, How Many Dragons?, and sell both online and in person at a number of conventions every year. I also accept commissions – I love custom work and collaborating with others! It fills me with joy that people want to own my artwork.

From the description:

Handmade dragon and book figurine is crafted from high quality polymer clay, sealed with a gloss glaze
* The colors/pose that you get are a surprise
* Approximately 2 inches (5 cm) long and 1.5 inches (4 cm) tall
* Signed, dated original
* Made to order item – turnaround time may vary from 1 business day to 2 weeks, depending on whether I have any book babies in stock

Be sure to take a look around her store.  So many fun dragons.

Dragon Thursday – 10 Amazing Things About Dragons

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Good morning!

I found a fun video on Youtube on a channel called Bills Channel.

The video is titled 10 Amazing Things About Dragons.

This video was made for Bills Channel by another Youtuber with a channel called

Be Amazed.

Search Bills Channel for more on dragons.  I noticed he has one about a Night Fury.

Also check out the Be Amazed channel for fun short documentary style videos on a variety of subjects.

Dragon Thursday – Dragons – American Museum of Natural History – Creatures of Power Part Three

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Good morning!

I hope you have enjoyed exploring the wonderful exhibit from the

American Museum of Natural History:  Mythic Creatures

and their section on dragons titled: Dragons – Creatures of Power.

I am finishing up this tour with links to the last three sections:

Imperial Dragon

Mighty Ruler

Revered above all other creatures in East Asian tradition, the dragon is also a symbol of imperial rule. The Chinese emperor was known as “the dragon.” His hands were the dragon’s claws, and his seat was the dragon throne. United with heaven and earth, a wise emperor ruled in harmony with the cosmos and brought peace and prosperity to all.

From Sea to Sky

Chinese dragons are said to spend winter on the floor of a lake or the ocean. Each spring they rise to the heavens with a clap of thunder, to form clouds and water the land. The dragons embroidered on imperial robes are shown soaring up to the sky from the sea, represented by the broad expanse of diagonal lines near the hem.

At a Glance: Chinese Dragon

  • bump on the forehead called chi mu helps the dragon float up to the heavens.
  • 81 scales, equal to nine times nine, a lucky number.
  • sweet-smelling saliva.
  • excellent eyesight.
  • four legs with up to five claws on each foot.
  • Chinese dragons live underwater in winter. In spring, they rise to the sky and make rain.

Borrowed Dragons

“There once was a king with magical powers who ruled the kingdom of Kuqa, near the western border of China. In those days, the markets were rich in gold, silver and precious gems. But one night, a mischievous dragon turned these treasures to charcoal, and the wealth of the kingdom was lost. So the king struck back. He took up his sword, tracked down the dragon and leaped on its back. Furious, the dragon belched fire like lightning, then soared to the sky. The king remained calm. ‘If you don’t surrender,’ he quietly told the dragon, ‘I’ll cut off your head.’ ‘Please don’t kill me!’ the dragon cried. ‘I’ll take you wherever you want to go!’ And from that time on, the king traveled by dragon instead of by horse, flying swiftly all over the realm.”

–based on a story from the Silk Road, recorded by Chinese scholar Li Fang (AD 925-996)

and Natural History of Dragons

Dragons in the Dust

In legends and folktales, dragons are magical–yet early naturalists often treated these creatures as part of the natural world. Biologists in Europe once wrote accounts of the behavior and habitat of dragons, along with lizards and snakes. Chinese scholars have classified the dragon as one of the 369 animal species with scales. Long before the development of paleontology, people unearthed fossilized bones in Asia and Europe–and believed they had found the remains of dragons from an earlier age.

So They Say

“The dragons of the mountains have scales of a golden color, and in length excel those of the plain, and they have bushy beards, which also are of a golden hue; and their eye is sunk deep under the eyebrow, and emits a terrible and ruthless glance.”

–Greek scholar Philostratus (c. AD 170-245)

To read the full article click on the blue links above.

Be sure to explore more of the current and past exhibits on their website:

American Museum of Natural History

 

Dragon Thursday – Dragons – Creatures of Power ~ Asian Dragons. From the American Museum of Natural History

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Good morning,

Today we continue exploring  the  American Museum of Natural History‘s past exhibit on Mythic Creatures (May 26, 2007 – January 6, 2008).  

Click on any of the blue links to go to the museums website.

Asian Dragons

“None of the animals is so wise as the dragon. His blessing power is not a false one. He can be smaller than small, bigger than big, higher than high, and lower than low.”

–Chinese scholar Lu Dian (AD 1042-1102)

Between Heaven and Earth

The dragons of East Asian legend have sweeping powers. They breathe clouds, move the seasons, and control the waters of rivers, lakes, and seas. They are linked with yang, the masculine principle of heat, light, and action, and opposed to yin, the feminine principle of coolness, darkness, and repose. Dragons have been part of East Asian culture for more than 4,000 years. In the religious traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, they have been honored as sources of power and bringers of rain.

So They Say

“The dragon’s horns resemble those of a stag, his head that of a camel, his eyes those of a demon, his neck that of a snake, his belly that of a clam, his scales those of a carp, his claws those of an eagle, his soles those of a tiger, his ears those of a cow.”

–Chinese scholar Wang Fu (Han dynasty, 206 BC to AD 220)

Dragon Thursday – Dragons – Creatures of Power – from the American Museum of Natural History

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Good morning,

I was wandering the internet looking for something interesting for Dragon Thursday.  I found the website of the American Museum of Natural History.

They have a section with their past exhibits.  From May 26, 2007 – January 6, 2008, they had an exhibit about Mythic Creatures.   Dragons were part of this exhibit and listed as Creatures of Power.

I will share this in parts over the next few weeks.

The European Dragon, which is one I often think of when thinking of dragons, is first on the list.

Grim Destroyer

The dragons that lurk in European stories are powerful, wicked and dangerous. In Christian tradition, they can symbolize Satan or sin. Some nest in caves and guard marvelous treasure. When hungry, they may snatch and devour sheep or cattle that wander too near. They may also eat humans–particularly young girls. Epic poems from the Middle Ages tell of warriors and knights who battle cruel and voracious dragons. In some stories, the hero slays his foe and wins fortune and honor. In others, he fails and is killed.

At a Glance: European Dragon

In European tales, dragons often live deep inside caves, or in marshes near places where farm animals graze. Some sleep during the day, and go on the rampage after night falls.

  • may have wings.
  • kills people with its fiery, poisonous breath.
  • can strangle large animals with its tail.
  • creeps on four legs, two legs or none.
So They Say

The dragon began to belch out flames
and burn bright homesteads; there was a hot glow
that scared everyone, for the vile sky-winger
would leave nothing alive in his wake.”
–Beowulf, AD 700-1000

To read the entire section on European Dragons click HERE

Dragon Thursday – Instant Pot dragon vent cover from Steam Ventures

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Good morning.

I am a fairly new owner of a Duo Instant Pot .  When I searched for Dragon ideas this week I came across an Etsy site named Steam Ventures.  They sell Dragon head vent covers.  If you own a pressure cooker, you know that when the vent releases steam naturally goes up.  In my case it is steaming up the bottom of my upper kitchen cabinets.

These vent covers redirect the steam and look cool too.  When you go to the webpage link above or by clicking on one of the photos below, scroll through the reviews to see a customer review that has a photo of the dragon vent in action.

From the Etsy Store product page:

Dragon head steam vent for Instant Pot with 90 degree angle. Fits all Duo, Duo Plus and Smart models. DOES NOT FIT Ultra or Lux models, nor can we confirm that it fits any other brand of pressure cooker at this time. Adds a bit of flair to your Instant Pot, while preventing the steam from venting directly towards your ceiling. Made from high temp food safe plastic. Available in multiple color option and 4 different directions: front (towards the front control panel) left, right, and rear.

Wait times have increased due to high volume of sales. We will be shipping them as fast as we can make them. 4-5 weeks is our current estimate, please note that all of our items are finished by hand and no two items will be identical. Some items may have small imperfections in them – we like to call them birthmarks. We also do our best to smooth out any rough edges. So please just be understanding if you see such imperfections, as our products are NOT mass-produced through injection molding.

Pretty cool!

🙂

Dragon Thursday – More for you crafty dragons – Plush Dragon from DIY Fluffies

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Good morning.

 

I am not crafty myself, but I love seeing what other people create.  I found an Etsy store named DIY Fluffies  – Stuffed Animal Sewing & Crochet Patterns – Toy Plushie.  They are located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  The Owner Mariska Vos-Bolman, designs and sells patterns and kits.  Yoki The Fat Dragon is just one of many plushie designs she has created.

Below are images of dragons made by customers that have purchased the Yoki The fat Dragon pattern.  🙂

Dragon Thursday for you crafty dragons

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Good morning!

I have many friends who create amazing things with yarn. Some knit, some crochet, many do both.  I am the cheering section that Ohhhs and Ahhhs over their creations.

These same friends have shared some fun dragon inspired patterns they have found online.   You may find them  here, here and, here

This week my friend Andrea shared this dragon inspired yarn.  

It is called Venti Dragon Mocha.  I found it online at   Madelinetosh.com

The first one is 

DK Twist | Venti Dragon Mocha

The other is 

Tosh Merino Light | Venti Dragon Mocha

These yarns are 100% Merino wool.  The Tosh Merino Light is dyed by hand in Texas from wool ethically sourced in South Africa.  The DK Twist is dyed by hand in Texas from wool ethically sourced in Peru.  Both are dyed to order.

These are beautiful and I love the dragon name.  The colors remind me of a woodland dragon.

This site has many beautiful yarns.  If any one makes something with this yarn please share a photo.