The Dragon King
The Dragon King, a mythical entity from ancient Chinese lore, is one of the four sacred creatures. As detailed in the “Scripture of the Divine Incantations of the Deep Abyss,” the Dragon Kings are divided into the Five Emperor Dragon Kings—representing the cardinal directions—and the Four Seas Dragon Kings, each governing one of the great seas. Additionally, there are fifty-four other Dragon Kings and sixty-two Divine Dragons associated with various natural phenomena. During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong established rituals at the Dragon Pool to offer sacrifices for rain, a practice maintained by subsequent rulers. In 1108, Song Emperor Huizong awarded royal titles to the principal dragons, solidifying their roles in the divine hierarchy.
The Dragon Kings’ foremost duty is to command the clouds and rain, playing a crucial role in cooling the earth, relieving human distress, and regulating agriculture and climate. In times of severe drought and crop failure, as described in the “Scripture of the Divine Incantations of the Deep Abyss,” the Supreme Deity, riding multicolored clouds, descends with the Dragon Kings to proclaim divine law and save all beings by summoning timely rains and floods.
The birthday of the Dragon King varies across texts and local traditions, with temples dedicated to them as common as those for the City God or Earth God. During weather disturbances, prolonged droughts, or unending rains, people visit Dragon King temples to burn incense and pray for balanced weather and effective water management.