CHINESE DRAGON: THE FORMATION OF THE SYMBOL OF IMPERIAL AUTHORITY

Resumen

This article aims to analyze the formation of the "imperial dragon" symbol in China. Thus, the article
solves the following problems: firstly, it demonstrates how the mythological image of the dragon
transformed from the heavenly sign into a sign of the will of Heaven, which was necessary for the
legitimization of the Chinese emperor’s power. Secondly, it reveals how the ancient texts were using
the image of dragon to strengthen the personal authority of the ruler. Thirdly, it examines how the
ruling house was using religious cults, in particular, the worshiping of the Dragon King (long wang).
The article concludes that the consolidation of the "imperial dragon" symbol was associated with
political processes and the need to create a pan-Chinese pantheon of gods and ancestors and
systematize various local beliefs and traditions.