Dragons in Ceremonial Rites Honoring the Power and Authority of Chinese Emperors
In the history of China, the dragon has long been a symbol of imperial power, strength, and divine right. The emperor, as the “Son of Heaven” (天子, Tiānzǐ), was regarded as the earthly representative of the dragon, a sacred being that embodied both celestial authority and natural forces. The dragon’s role in Chinese imperial ceremonies