Chinese Loong are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and Chinese folklore. The Loong have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. Chinese Loong traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The Loong is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it. With this, the Emperor of China usually used the Loong as a symbol of his imperial power and strength.

The development of the Chinese loong’s image

• Most of the loong in the pre-Qin period (221-206 BC) has no foot (zhu loong), or a foot (Kui Loong) or two feet, three foot and four foot are rare.

• Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) to the Wei and Jin Dynasties’ loong is generally in accordance with the image of the loong, with wings.

• After the Northern and Southern Dynasties(265-420 AD), the loong's body gradually grow, wings began to degenerate into slender ribbon.

Chinese Loong’s classification

• Yingloong (Chinese: 應龍; pinyin: yìnglóng; Wade–Giles: ying-lung; literally: "responding dragon"), winged dragon associated with rains and floods, used by Yellow Emperor to kill Chi You
• Jiaoloong (Chinese: 蛟龍; pinyin: jiāolóng; Wade–Giles: chiao-lung; literally: "crocodile dragon"), hornless or scaled dragon, leader of all aquatic animals
• Huangloong (Chinese: 黃龍; pinyin: huánglóng; Wade–Giles: huang-lung; literally: "yellow dragon"), hornless dragon symbolizing the emperor
• Qingloong (Chinese: 青龍; pinyin: qīnglóng; Wade–Giles: ch'ing-lung; literally: "Azure Dragon"), the animal associated with the East in the Chinese Four Symbols, mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations
• Zhuloong (Chinese: 燭龍; pinyin: zhúlóng; Wade–Giles: chu-lung; literally: "torch dragon") or Zhuyin (Chinese: 燭陰; pinyin: zhúyīn; Wade–Giles: chu-yin; literally: "illuminating darkness") was a giant red draconic solar deity in Chinese mythology. It supposedly had a human's face and snake's body, created day and night by opening and closing its eyes, and created seasonal winds by breathing. (Note that this zhulong is different from the similarly named Vermilion Dragon or the Pig dragon).
• Chiloong (Chinese: 螭龍 or 魑龍; pinyin: chīlóng; Wade–Giles: ch'ih-lung; literally: "demon dragon"), a hornless dragon or mountain demon
• Hong (Chinese: 虹; pinyin: hóng; Wade–Giles: hung; literally: "rainbow"), a two-headed dragon or rainbow serpent
• Shen (Chinese: 蜃; pinyin: shèn; Wade–Giles: shen; literally: "giant clam"), a shapeshifting dragon or sea monster believed to create mirages
• Bashe (Chinese: 巴蛇; pinyin: bāshé; Wade–Giles: pa-she; literally: "ba snake") was a giant python-like dragon that ate elephants
• Teng (Chinese: 螣; pinyin: téng; Wade–Giles: t'eng) or Tengshe (simplified Chinese: 腾蛇; traditional Chinese: 騰蛇; pinyin: téngshé; Wade–Giles: t'eng-she; lit. "soaring snake") is a flying dragon without legs
• The Azure Loong [Qinglong 青龍] spirits, most compassionate kings.
• The Yellow Loong [Huanglong 黃龍] spirits, kings that favorably hear all petitions.
• The White Loongn [Bailong 白龍] spirits, virtuous and pure kings.

Chinese Loong's folklore and customs

• The Loong is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac which is used to designate years in the Chinese calendar. It is thought that each animal is associated with certain personality traits. Loong years are usually the most popular to have babies. There are more babies born in Loong years than in any other animal years of the Zodiac.

• The Loong dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. Many Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the Loong" , lóng de chuán rén) as a sign of ethnic identity, as part of a trend started in the 1970s.

• The Loong Boat Festival Dragon Boat race is a unique folk activities, the causes of this event is to commemorate one of ancient China during the great poet - Qu Yuan established.