The Blue Dragon is typically referenced in Chinese astrology as the Azure Dragon. The Chinese Blue Dragon played a prominent role in the creation of Chinese astrology and its governing constellations.
About the Blue Dragon in Chinese Astrology
There are 12 animal zodiac signs in Chinese Astrology. The Blue Dragon is a prominent one and also a mythological guardian.
One of the Four Mythological Guardians
There are four mythological creatures that represent the four symbols (four regions) found within the Chinese constellations. The Chinese system actually groups the constellations a little differently than Western astrologers since the two astrology systems developed independently of each other. Each animal that appear in Chinese astrology is assigned to one of the four cardinal directions. These are the compass directions of north, south, east and west.
- The Blue Dragon is the guardian of the east.
- The White Tiger is the guardian of the west.
- The Black Tortoise is the guardian of the north.
- The Vermillion Bird is the guardian of the south.
Fifth Mythological Guardian
There is also a fifth mythological animal mentioned in some Asian cultures, the Yellow Dragon and often referred to as the Yellow Snake. This dragon is considered the guardian of the center. This is the center circle of a compass. In feng shui, this translates to the center of the bagua that is transferred to your home or business blueprint layout.
Chinese Blue Dragon and Constellations
The Blue Dragon holds dominion over Chinese astrology since it is the controlling factor of the stars in the Eastern constellation. The Blue Dragon determines how these stars move across the heavens. This control is easily revealed in modern Western signs Scorpio. Virgo, Libra, and Sagittarius.
Seven Mansions
Unlike western astrology that bases its theories predominantly on sun movements, Chinese astrological theories rely heavily on the moon through a sidereal month (length of time required for moon to return to the same position in heavens). The moon's movements are divided into what are known as the 28 mansions. Each of the four directions are assigned seven mansions. The Blue Dragon in Chinese astrology, aka Azure Dragon, is associated with the following seven mansions:
- Jiao translates as horn and represents the Blue Dragon's angle. It is found in the Virgo constellation.
- Kang translates as neck and represents the Blue Dragon's neck. It is found in the Virgo constellation.
- Di translates as root and represents the Blue Dragon's chest. It is found in the Libra constellation.
- Fang translates as room and represents the Blue Dragon's belly. It is in the Scropio constellation.
- Xin translates as heart and represents the Blue Dragon's heart. It is in the Scorpio constellation.
- Wei translates as tail and represents the Blue Dragon's tail. It is in the Scropio constellation.
- Ji translates as winnowing basket and represents the Blue Dragon's dung or wind. It is in the Sagittarius constellation.
Blue Dragon Compared to Western Zodiac Signs
Of all the signs found in Chinese astrology, the Blue Dragon has a larger-than-life persona. If you're looking for a Western zodiac sign comparable to the Blue Dragon, that would be the three fire signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Chinese Azure Dragon Element Associations
Even though the Western fire element represents Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, the fire element shouldn't be confused with the Blue Dragon's element. The Azure Dragon is traditionally first associated with the ruling element of the compass direction, East. This is the wood element. Since the color of this element is green, the dragon is often called the Green Dragon. However, blue is the color associated with the water element and why the Azure Dragon is often referred to as the Water Dragon.
Ruling Planet Jupiter
The ruling planet Jupiter plays a decisive role in Chinese astrology. The Blue Dragon was assigned to represent the planet Jupiter. In fact, the Chinese created their astrological 12-year animal cycle based on Jupiter's orbit that takes 11.86 years. They chose to round this figure to 12 and then divided it into 12 animal zodiac signs, one for each year.
Characteristics and Traits of Blue Dragon
The Blue Dragon is commonly referred to as the dragon when addressing it as a Chinese animal zodiac sign. Like any zodiac sign, those born under this sign have specific characteristic and traits.
- Creative: A dragon needs space to be creative. Like the Western zodiac fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, Blue Dragons are ambitious and powerful.
- Generous: The generous nature of the dragon is to share its good fortune and help those in need.
- Independent: Dragons are fiercely independent, perhaps to a fault. It isn't always easy for a dragon to accept or admit when they need help.
- Social: While dragons have excellent social skills, they prefer to spend some time alone.
- Free spirit: There is no tying down the dragon. If you try, you will only push this mystical creature farther away from you.
- Loyal: The dragon is loyal and expects this to be reciprocated in all relationships.
Importance of Blue Dragon in Chinese Astrology
The important role of Jupiter in Chinese astrology is symbolized by the Blue Dragon. The almost magical aspects of the Blue Dragon reflect its importance in Chinese astrology so deeply steeped in mythological significance.
