While dragons in Western folklore are usually monsters ultimately slain by a hero, Chinese dragons are bringers of good fortune and a symbol of benevolence. The dragon is one of China's four auspicious creatures (alongside the phoenix, the turtle, and the qilin), and is usually depicted as male in Chinese art and storytelling. Dragons symbolize a long life, good fortune, and the male principle (yang).
In the Chinese zodiac, the dragon holds the fifth position among the 12 animal signs.
The association between the Chinese imperial house and the dragon (long) only became firmly established during the Qing dynasty, from 1644 onward — from then on, many imperial symbols carried the dragon motif: the dragon throne, dragon boats, the dragon robe, and more.
The Chinese flying kite was likely invented as early as the 6th century BCE. While silk kites today are mainly a leisure pursuit and a craft in their own right, kites originally had practical uses too — including, according to some accounts, pulling carts and boats.
