Dragon in Chinese
The Chinese word for dragon is 龙 (lóng). The Chinese dragon: power, wisdom and good fortune. In traditional characters it is written 龍.
lóng
Dragon
What 龙 means.
The Chinese dragon is a symbol of power, good fortune and the emperor, and a bringer of rain rather than a fire-breathing villain. The traditional form 龍 is far more intricate than the simplified 龙 and is often chosen for art.
- 龙
- dragon
Simplified and traditional
龙
龍
Both are correct and mean the same. Traditional 龍 keeps the older, fuller shape that calligraphy grew up with; simplified 龙 is what most Chinese readers use today. Our seal and clerical styles write it in the traditional form.
About dragon in Chinese
How do you write dragon in Chinese?
Dragon is 龙 in Chinese, pronounced lóng. Dragon
How do you pronounce 龙?
Say lóng (second tone, rising). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 龙 different in traditional Chinese?
Yes. The traditional form is 龍, used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and classical calligraphy; 龙 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore. Both are correct.
Is 龙 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. As a single character it works even at small sizes. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.