Year of the Wood Dragon

On By ResaIn Chinese Zodiac, Street Art

It’s said that Wood Dragon years bring evolution, improvement, and abundance. So, I went to Chinatown to find a Wood Dragon, and found a Qilin Dragon.

Head of a Dragon, Body of a Lion and Hooves of a Goat or Horse, it’s said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler.

Qilin is said to be a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and wisdom, and it is believed to have the ability to walk on grass without disturbing it, as well as to breathe fire.

Chinatown is a busy, colourful place so one could miss this striking statue (it’s on a side street) when passing by.

There’s boatloads of info on all of the Chinese Lunar Dragons and the Qilin (Qi = Man & Lin = Woman) online.

5 years ago, I found a Chinese Lunar Calendar mural. Above is the dragon, who represents all of the Dragons: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood & Fire.

The wall the mural is above is 5 feet high, so I had to aim up with the camera. It is also a long mural stretching across 80 – 100 ft. of parking lot.

It’s displayed with 6 of the animals on each side separated by 3 charts.

You can read the charts easier by clicking on them.

Here are all the animals in a Slideshow.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Pics taken by Resa – March 2018 & January, 2024

Toronto, Canada

Zodiac Artists: Unknown at this time

The Qilin Artists:

Warren Quigly & Millie Chen

Year of the Wood Dragon begins February 10, 2024.

117 thoughts on “Year of the Wood Dragon”

    1. Me too! I wasn’t sure what to make of it when I discovered the it. I recognized the dragon head, but the body was different. It’s a wonderful statue.

        1. Yes, and because you are around young people you see that all the time.
          It has rubbed off on you.
          I fear many older people have abandoned their hunger for discover mode.
          Every time I go for a big walk to find street art, I am in the zone!

          Thank you for this wonderful comment!

  5. Absolutely a great find. As you know Dragons have been in my consciousness lately as I’ve been painting and posting about them.

    I feel this year will be eye-opening in many ways as the dragon energy charges in.

    Thank you, Resa. Love your finds and the charts really good. xx 😘 🐉💜

    1. Yes! Also, I did see your dragon painting and recent dragon post. It’s wonderful. I left a comment.
      I certainly hope it’s an eye opening year. It seems many of us have been asleep at the wheel.
      A trip to Chinatown is always interesting. I lived in Chinatown for about 10 years. They had many celebrations in the streets, and all of them included drums and dragons.
      Here comes the light!
      xx 😘 🐉💜

    1. The Qilin statue is fascinating. I must have passed by it a dozen times before I actually went in for a closer look.
      That seems indicative of something blasé in our human nature.
      Walking by/through without looking.
      Looking without seeing.
      Seeing without being.

  7. Thank you for sharing this magnificent dragon and the Chinese art. My dad had some beautiful Chinese antiques and art. I remember a lion-dragon.
    I hope the year of the dragon brings us all good things.

    1. Welcome Merril!
      Gee, I bet your dad had a Qilin.
      I’m with you! Hopefully the Dragon year is a good one for all.
      It’s interesting how important/valuable myths and lore have been to humanity since the beginning of our existence.

      1. It is. I’m not very familiar with Chinese or Asian myths. There was a recent Zoom talk at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for member that I signed up for but missed. I’ll have to see if I can still access it when I have time.

        1. That sounds interesting. I’m sure if you take advantage of it, something of it will show up in your poetry.
          Learning about different cultural myths and/or beliefs broadens our horizons.

            1. Cool!

              I think I found a group for me to join/become involved with. WEAD – Women Eco Artists Dialogue. I’m working on a Mission Statement for my Art Gowns. (no new resources are stripped from the planet to make an Art Gown)
              Sorry, I’m practicing on you!
              I’m going for “Arts Professional”membership.
              Even a general membership is pretty great.
              I’m getting the newsletter, and have quickly become enthused to being a member.

    1. Ahh, a cupcake dragon…Delicious.
      Year of the cupcake!!!!

      I lived in Chinatown for over 10 years. They had lots of celebrations in the streets, and there is always dragons and drums.

  10. Well young Ms Resa, I can assure one and all that dragons exist, and they live amongst us today. How do it know that? Well, my dear magical Shirl changes into one every Friday. True. Whatever, once again, a fine ‘blog’…I don’t like that ‘blog’ word. Regards, TOF

    1. Cool! It’s not a wonder you love Shirl. She has lots going for her, now on top of everything, she can turn into a dragon.

      TOF I’ve always wondered about that word. It’s kind of like a bog and a log.
      Looked it up.
      “is a portmanteau of the words “web” and “log.””
      Some guy… Peter Merholz … coined it in 1999. Now we’re stuck with it.

    1. It is impressive!

      You are right..goat hooves. As a city slicker, a hoof is a hoof until I remember what I learned at school. Only horse and goat (not cow)have been mentioned in what I read. I did update the text to include goat.
      Qilin seems to have varying descriptions. The images I saw were ranging from something like this statue, to what seems a 2 horned unicorn.

      Anyway, it’s mythical, magical and inclusive.
      Be well Martha! xx

  13. That’s a beautiful dragon, Resa. I enjoy the mythology/magic that is still alive and well these days. It was fun to read through the descriptions. I believe my birthday makes me a dog. 🙂

    1. A dog! How fabulous.
      Yes, mythology is not just around, but in Chinatown it is alive.
      In its own ology, magic and myths exist in your writings. You are a pen wizard! xx

  15. What a gorgeous dragon/lion/horse statue! As a Dragon myself, I cannot help but agree to this particular beauty. Wonderful share, Sorceress!

  20. Just back from my blog break, Resa. This post is a perfect welcome home for me. How wonderful to live in Chinatown and experience the richness of China’s history, cultural significance and intriguing symbolism. A few years ago, I explored whether there was a hierarchy within the 12 animal signs. I was very pleased to discover that the Chinese zodiac does not assign a value of “better” or “worse” to any of the twelve zodiac animals!!! Each animal represents different characteristics and traits, and they are all considered important in their own way. It is not a matter of one zodiac being better than another, but rather a recognition of the diversity and significance of each animal in the Chinese zodiac system. This gives me great comfort. P.S. My sign is a “Wood Sheep”

    1. Welcome back Rebecca!
      Yes, I too like that there are not better or worse signs, but simply different signs.
      In reading about this particular Qilin statue I found, it said it was chosen because of its inclusivity, sharing and community.

      This is a beautiful message in a public space.
      Being a Wood Sheep is a wonderful thing!
      I hope you are all rested and ready to post. I can hardly wait to hear Norm’s podcast!!!!

  21. What a dragon! I’m glad you caught it! Great angles and love the chinese zodiac mural.
    Here’s to a prosperous Wood Dragon year, dahling!
    🐉🍀💚
    ❤️🎶❤️
    🐾😘🐾

    1. Happy Wood Dragon year!!!!!
      Yes, dahling, may we all prosper in health, happiness and Hera! (I jus couldn’t leave her out!)
      🐉🍀💚xoxoxo🧽🧽🐉🍀💚xoxoxo🧽🧽🐉🍀💚xoxoxo🧽🧽

    1. Wow! You probably have a Qilin Dragon!
      Let’s hope all that Dragon good luck works. The world could use a good year.
      It was fun to check out Chinatown. It’s been awhile.
      BTW – I mailed you a drawing of AGM Holly for Gi’s Chicklets’ Valentine’s party.
      Gi loves it! Hope you do!
      🐉xoxoxo🐉
      (Disappointing to learn there’s no “Year of the Meece”)

      1. My little dragon came from Munich , hopefully some good luck will come along in November!
        I am going to declare a year of the Meece!
        Going to ck out your mail!
        xo🐭🐭xo

                1. Lololol!!!! I could draw one. xoxoxo
                  The mythical Meece would have wings and something growing out of its head… but not a horn. Maybe a horn? xoxoxo

                    5. 👑🐭🐭👑
                      I’m back on Glam. I sent the email with Link, etc. while I was on Art Gowns. Also, loved the song you sent last night!

    1. Thanks Gi!
      Yeah… it was a gas finding the Qilin.
      I just love walking the streets and alleys looking for art treasure.
      I’m a Dragon too!!!! Yahoo! xoxo

  28. Beautiful; it is fantastic to see the same creature commemorated in so many different forms and materials, and the strong presence it carries.

    1. So cool, it’s frozen.
      LVIII coming up. The last bastion of Roman Numeral users. I hail them on that.
      I will be tuning in for commercials and half time.
      However, I don’t channel surf, I just leave it on and draw or sew. Then when I hear cheering, I look up.
      Anyway, I’ll bethinking of you, and when/if you write about the game I will know WTF you are talking about!
      HA!
      MUAH
      or in this case
      MUHA

      1. Very!

        All hail the funny numerals!

        Commercials and half time will take most of the four and a half hour broadcast.

        Ha! I do the same thing when I watch games not named the Super Bowl. I’ll turn it on sometimes for background noise while I do something else. When I hear some commotion, I check it out.

        HA!
        MUAH!
        HA!
        MUAH!

  30. It is such a great and informative post, dear Resa.
    Although the regime in China isn’t a favourite, their mythological tradition is fabulous!🤙😉
    Thank you very much, my lovely lady. 🙏💖🌹

  31. A beautiful share for the Chinese New Year Res, and gorgeous mural. No doubts Chinatown has everything for the new year. I love that dragon. I’ve heard they bring luck. I need to get me a Qilin or two, lol. 🙂 Hugs ❤ xox ❤

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