The second constellation in the East——Kangjin Dragon

There is an Emperor Temple, which is the largest and most influential Taoist temple in Jincheng, Shanxi Province. And the most essential part of it is the twenty-eight constellations colored sculptures from Yuan Dynasty of the ancient China. The twenty-eight constellations are the twenty-eight celestial areas divided by ancient Chinese astronomers for the purpose of observing the movements of the sun, the moon and the Wuxing (Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn). It is a creation in Chinese native astronomy. The twenty-eight constellations are divided into four directions——the East, the North, the West and the South, with seven constellations in each direction. Four animals were used to match the four directions: the Azure Dragon in the East, the Black Tortoise (also known as Turtle-Snake) in the North, the White Tiger in the West and the Vermilion Bird in the South. The reason for this correlation is that the seven constellations in each side when viewed in connection look exactly like the animal mentioned above. Therefore, the ancients used these similar animal images as the symbol of the seven constellations in turn.

Kangjin Long is one of the twenty-eight constellations, with form and temperament identical to that of a dragon. As per Taoism, it has a gentle nature, and if encountered by a Taoist, he can receive its auspicious blessings.

Internet celebrity dragon with “finger victory”——the Columns with Circled Dragons

There is an endless stream of tourists in front of the Jinci Internet celebrity, Wooden Columns with Circled Dragons which presents “finger victory”, located in the front corridor of the Northern Song Dynasty building, Saint Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi. They all imitate the statue to take photos with a victory sign. The Columns with Circled Dragons in front of the Saint Temple are the existing oldest eight wooden carved circled columns in China. The eight columns’ shapes are different. The dragons on the columns either scowl fiercely or gaze upwardly. Their forms look like confronting each other with intense dynamics, as if they want to break away from the column and leap into the air. It is definitely a miracle after nearly a thousand years of sun-scorched and rain-drenched. 

We hope that "Lucky Dragons" can continue to bring you a steady stream of blessings in the coming new year. May the family and the country enjoy well-being. We also look forward to your visit to Shanxi, so that the great rivers, mountains and cultural scenery of Shanxi can accompany you through a warm year.