• Tianlong (天龍, tiān lóng: literally "heaven dragon"), The Celestial Dragon - the ruler of the dragons.
• Shenlong (神龍, shén lóng: literally "spirit dragon"), The Spiritual Dragon - controls the weather and is appeased by ritual sacrifice.
• Fucanglong (伏藏龍), The Dragon of Hidden Treasures - the guardian of precious metals and jewels buried in the earth.
• Dilong (地龍), The Earth Dragon - controls rivers. Dilong spends springtime in heaven and autumn in the sea.
• Yinglong (應龍), The Winged Dragon - believed to be a powerful servant of Huang Di, the yellow emperor, later immortalized as a dragon.
• Jiaolong (虯龍), The Horned Dragon - considered to be the mightiest.
• Panlong (蟠龍), The Coiling Dragon - Panlong dwells in the lakes of the Orient.
• Huanglong (黃龍), Yellow Dragon - a hornless dragon known for its scholarly knowledge.
• The Dragon King (龍王) - has four personalities, each ruling over one of the four seas.

The fire-spitting dragon is principally associated with lightning and by extension to thunder and rain, making it a symbol of fertility, uniting the elements of earth and water. Ancient emperors adopted the dragon as a symbol of the rhythm of existence that ensured order and prosperity. The power of thunder in rain bearing clouds was often depicted as a pearl held in the dragon’s mouth or throat. Dragons signify the emperors purity of thought or the perfection of his commands. During the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the symbol of royal divinty was originally a tiger with a ball of opium in its mouth and with the mergence of the Han Ming and Manchu Qing arts, the tiger gradually transformed into a hybrid of both the dragon and the tiger.

Apart from the nine classical dragons, there are nine dragon children, whose images feature prominently in architectural and monumental decorations:

• 1st son: 赑屃 (Bìxì). Bixi is depicted as a giant tortorise, has unlimited physical strength and is reponsibile for carrying heavy loads on his back. Bixi's image is often found as the carved stone bases of monumental tablets.
• 2nd son: 螭吻 or 鸱尾 (Chīwěn or Chīwěi). Chiwen, the 'far-seeing' is depicted as a crouching beast whose reputation is that of a fire swallower. For this reason, Chiwen is a guardian of homes and is always found on the roof.
• 3rd son: 蒲牢 (Púláo). Pulao, depicted as a small dragon, is thought of as loud. He loves to roar and so his image is found on bells and chimes.
• 4th son: 狴犴 (Bì’àn). Bian is depicted as a powerful tiger and has a thorough dislike of criminals. For this reason, Bian's image is often seen on official's court chambers and prison doors.
• 5th son: 饕餮 (Tāotiè). Taotie has the reputation of a gourmand. He loves to eat and has an excellent appetite. His image is found on the handles of food related vessels.
• 6th son: 蚣蝮 (Bāxià). Baxia loves water and his image is often used as decoration on the balustrades of bridges, on well walls and on water spouts.
• 7th son: 睚眦 (Yázì). Yazi is a blood thirsty killer and loves fighting. His fierce image is used to decorate the handles of swords and knives.
• 8th son: 狻猊 (Suānní). Suanni, depicted as a small squatting lion, loves smoke and has a deep affinity for fireworks. Suanni's image is most often seen accompanying the Buddha and is found on incense burners and braziers.
• 9th son: 椒图 (Jiāotú). The smallest son of the dragon is Jiaotu; a precious soul in touch with the gods and considered artistic. He is musically inclined and enjoys listening to tunes played on stringed instruments. Jiaotu is depicted as a clam or conch shell and has the reputation for being tight-lipped. He does not like to be disturbed. His image can be seen on musical instruments and is also is found on door steps and knockers where his task is to watch over and guard homes.

There are two other dragon species, the 'jiao' and the 'li,' both hornless. The 'jiao' and 'li' are said to be female dragons. (The word ‘dragon’ originates from the Greek 'derkein' meaning 'seeing' which explains why an antagonistic dragon also symbolizes vigilance). No Chinese or any Asian dragon is ever depicted with wings, which is a 'western' affectation.

Dragons are respected amongst those of the East. They are made up of several different species, and each species contributes a piece of the dragon. The dragon has a total number of one hundred and seventeen scales, bringing a specific balance of yin and yang.

Number nine:
The number nine is special in China as it is the largest possible single digit, and Chinese dragons are frequently connected with it. For example, a Chinese dragon is normally described in terms of nine attributes and usually has 117 (9x13) scales - 81 (9x9) Yang and 36 (9x4) Yin. This is also why there are nine forms of the dragon and the dragon has nine offspring (see Classical depictions above). The "Nine Dragon Wall" is a screen wall with images of nine different dragons, and is found in imperial Chinese palaces and gardens. As nine was considered the number of the emperor, only the most senior officials were allowed to wear nine dragons on their robes - and then only with the robe completely covered with surcoats. Lower-ranking officials had eight or five dragons on their robes, again covered with surcoats; even the emperor himself wore his dragon robe with one of its nine dragons hidden from view. There are a number of places in China called "Nine Dragons", the most famous being Kowloon (in Cantonese) in Hong Kong.

Eastern dragons are also one of the twelve zodiacs signs. Children born during a dragon year tend to be natural leaders. Also associated with weather in particular and nature in general, the Chinese and Manchu offer to dragons for rain during the drier months. Eastern dragons vary in slight ways from Japanese, Chinese, to Korean. This is based primarily on their toes. Japanese dragons have three toes, while Chinese dragons have five toes. Korean dragons have four toes.