 |
 |
 |
|
贔屓 bì xì:其形似龜，性好負重，故用載石碑 |
蒲牢 pú láo: 其形似龍而小，性吼叫，有神力，故懸於鐘上 | 椒圖 jiāo tú: 其形似螺螄，性好閉口，鋪首啣環 |
The dragon is a sacred creature in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing authority, power, and good fortune. The Dragon's Nine Sons refer to the descendants of the dragon, each possessing mysterious symbolic meanings. People are often curious about the names and appearances of these nine dragon sons.
In ancient folklore, there is a story that goes, "The dragon has nine sons, each with its own preferences and characteristics." However, the specifics of these nine sons vary. Our primary reference comes from the older and well-organized book, "Illustrated Explanations of Chinese Auspicious Symbols," which sheds light on the identities of the Dragon's Nine Sons. According to this book, the nine sons of the dragon are Qiuniu (囚牛), Yazi (睚眦), Chaofeng (嘲风), Pulao (蒲牢), Suanni (狻猊), Taotie (饕餮), Bian (狴犴), Fuxi (负屃), and Chiwen or Chiwei (螭吻/鸱尾).
Another interesting interpretation suggests that these nine sons are a result of the dragon mating with different animals, giving rise to sons with features resembling various real-world creatures. For instance, Suanni is said to resemble a lion, believed to be the offspring of a dragon and a lion.
Therefore, each son of the dragon has unique characteristics and symbolism deeply rooted in traditional culture. The cultural significance of these nine sons has profoundly influenced Chinese thinking and daily life, often manifesting in architecture, art, and literature. The Dragon's Nine Sons not only constitute a part of Chinese traditional culture but also serve as a tangible expression of the Chinese people's hopeful wishes for auspiciousness and happiness.
 |
 |
 |
| 饕餮 tāo tiè: 性好吃食，兇殘野獸，青銅器的裝飾 | 狻猊 suān ní: 其形似獅，性好火煙，故立於香爐蓋上 | 蚩吻 chī wěn: 其形似獸，性好望，故立屋角建築的脊梁上 |
 |
 |
 |
| 蚩吻: chī wěn: 其形似獸，性好望，故立屋角上 | 負屭 fù xì: 其形似龍，性好文彩，故立於碑文上 | 𧈢𧏡 bā xià: 性喜水，被雕成橋柱、建築上滴水的獸形 |
龍是中國傳統文化中的神聖動物，被視為權威、力量和幸運的象徵。而龍的九子，是指龍的後代，各具神秘的象徵意義。那麼人們一定都非常好奇，龍的九子到底都叫什麼？他們都長什麼樣子呢？
龍生九子古時民間傳說有著「龍生九子，不成龍，各有所好」的故事。然而，對於九子的具體說法卻有所不同。我們主要參考年代較老且已被後人整理成書的《中國吉祥圖說》以了解究竟是哪九子。書中說，龍的九子分別老大囚牛（qiú niú）、老二睚眦（yá zì）、老三嘲风（cháo fēng）、老四蒲牢（pú láo）、老五狻猊（suān ní）、老六饕餮（tāo tiè）、老七狴犴（bì àn）、老八负屃（fù xì）和老九螭吻/鸱尾（chī wěn/chī wěi）。
還有一種說法更為有趣，即龍與不同動物結合，於是生下了這九個兒子，於是這九子的形象除了具有龍的某一個身體部位特徵以外，他們也更像是我們在現實中所見到的動物。例如五子狻猊形如獅，傳說就是龍與獅子的兒子。
所以說，龍的每個兒子都有其獨特的特徵和象徵，深深植根於傳統文化中。這九子的文化象徵深深影響了中國人的思維和生活，常常在建築、藝術和文學作品中得到體現。龍的九子不僅是中國傳統文化的一部分，更是中國人對祥瑞和幸福的美好祈願的具體表現。