Azure Dragon

Azure Dragon

The Eastern Azure Dragon (simplified Chinese: 东方青龙; traditional Chinese: 東方青龍; pinyin: dōngfāng qīnglóng, 青, qīng, being between green and blue in Chinese, and blue in Japanese, translated in Korean as: ceong. ryong Hangeul 청룡 (hanja: 靑龍) Japanese by Seiryū (青竜 "blue dragon") and in Vietnamese by Thanh Long (tiếng Hán: 青龍) ) is one of the totem animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

It is associated with the East, spring and wood. The name of this dragon is usually translated into Japanese as Seiryū (青竜, "blue dragon").

Azure Dragon Lunar Lodges

Seven lunar lodges are associated with the azure dragon. This is explicitly reflected in the names of six of them, which describe parts of the animal's body, from horn to tail :

  • Jiao 角宿, jiǎoxiù Gagsu / 각수 / 角宿 Kakushū / kakushuku (角宿) / Suboshi (星) Sao Giác or Giác Tú (角宿) Horn constellation, α Virginis (Spica)
  • Kang 亢宿, kàngxiù Hangsu / 항수 / 亢宿 Kōshū / kōshuku (亢宿) / Amiboshi (網星) Sao Cang Constellation of the neck, the Virgin
  • Di 氐宿, dǐxiù Jeosu / 저수 / 氐宿 Teishū / teishuku (氐宿 / テイ宿) / Tomoboshi (星) Constellation of the front legs, the roots, Libra
  • Fang 房宿, fángxiù Bangsu / 방수) / 房宿 Bōshū / bōshuku (房宿?) / Soiboshi (添星) Constellation of the chest, the acorn, Libra
  • Xin 心宿, xīnxiù Simsu / 심수 / 心宿 Shinshū / shishuku (心宿) / Nakagoboshi (中子星) Constellation of the heart, α Scorpii (Antares)
  • Wei 尾宿, wěixiù Misu / 미수 / 尾宿 Bishū / bishuku (尾宿) / Ashitareboshi (足垂れ星) Tail constellation, Scorpio
  • Ji 箕宿, jīxiù Gisu / 기수 / 箕宿 Kishū / kishuku (箕宿) / Miboshi (星) Constellation of the wicker basket, the basket, Sagittarius
The name of the last asterism is disconnected from the azure dragon. It refers to the representation of the celestial city, the Tianshi (天市, Tiānshì).