Dragons of Various Asian Myths

Myth:  Goolung Bridge (Chinese)

Type:     Li-lung

Description:  Not described in story.  Normally a serpentine Chinese dragon

Actions:  Dislikes people.  Changed into humans to take water from the area to drive people away their territory

Norm:  No

Why:  Unlike the usual li-lung, the two dragons of the story would not share their water.

Myth:  Dragon Pearl (Chinese)

Type:  Li-lung

Description:  Has two long-scales on its body, horns on its head, and two wings on its back

Actions:  Born from a pearl.  Brings water to the people

Norm:  Yes

Myth:  Pai-Lung (Chinese)

Type:  Pai-Lung

Description:  White dragon

Actions:  Acted as a benevolent dragon

Norm: No

Why:  Born from a human woman

Myth:  Koshi Dragon (Japanese)

Type:  Yamata dragon

Description:  Had eight heads and whiptails, and flaming eyes

Actions:  Abducted and ate people.  Drank sake

Norm:  No

Why:  Does what European dragons usually do

Myth:  Kiyo’s Lesson (Japanese)

Type:  Kiyo

Description:  Not described in story.  Probably the usual Japanese dragon with three toes

Actions:  Human woman shape-shifts into a dragon.  Sought revenge and flamed a priest.

Norm:  No

Why:  Was a human, and not a dragon

Myth:  Indra and Vritra (Indian)

Type:  Vritra

Description: Great limbless dragon, resembles a snake

Actions: Held the waters of the world.  Fought Indra

Norm:  Yes

Why:  Holding the waters is what most cosmic Asian dragons do

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