Eastern dragons
     Almost without exception, Eastern dragons were described as benevolent to humans. These dragons were in charge of the weather. Battles between dragons caused floods and storms. Dragons had to fly up into the clouds and stir them up before it could rain.
     Many Oriental buildings have dragons on the roofs to ward off lightening, since Eastern dragons were afraid of fire.
    There are four kinds of Chinese dragon: T'ien-lung, the Celestian dragon, who is in charge of the heavens; Shen-lung, the Spirit dragon, who is in charge of the winds and rain; Ti-lung, the Earth dragon, who is in charge of the rivers and streams; and Fu-ts'ang lung, the dragon of hidden treasures. If you see a Chinese dragon depicted in art, chances are it is a Shen-lung. If it has four claws, it is just your everyday ordinary dragon. If it has five claws, however, it is an Imperial dragon, and is only found on imperial insignia.
    Commoners in ancient China were forbidden to make a five-clawed dragon under penalty of death.


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