Period Example Description
 

neolithic age

 This example, the decoration on a piece of pottery from a Pan-p'o Yang-shao Culture site in Shensi , may be one of the earliest
1) This example, the decoration on a piece of pottery from a Pan-p'o Yang-shao Culture site in Shensi province dating to about 6800 to 6000 years ago, may be one of the earliest "dragons" in Chinese art. This animal suggests a serpent of some type, yet it appears quite distinct from a snake. Two fin-like forms appear on either side of the head and also along the curving body. The upper and lower parts of the body are differentiated, and the end of the tail is divided into three fin-like lobes.

  This sculpture of a 'dragon' composed of oyster shells was unearthed at a Hou-kang Yang-shao Culture site in Honan
2) This sculpture of a "dragon" composed of oyster shells was unearthed at a Hou-kang Yang-shao Culture site in Honan province and dates to about 6460 years ago. Measuring 1.78 meters long and 0.67 meters tall, this beast has an open mouth and long tongue, sinuous neck and body, and a mane and five claws for each paw. The tail of this beast also appears be divided at the end, sharing much in common with later representations of dragons.

  This 'dragon' appears as decoration on a piece of painted pottery excavated from a Miao-ti-kou Yang-shao Culture site in Kansu
3) This "dragon" appears as decoration on a piece of painted pottery excavated from a Miao-ti-kou Yang-shao Culture site in Kansu province and dates to about 5500 years ago. Measuring 38.4 cm tall, this abstracted animal image has a round head, ringed neck, front legs, and hatch marks on the body perhaps representing scales. With eyes and claws simply rendered, it seems to be biting onto the tail.


  This so-called 'jade dragon' was excavated from a Hung-shan Culture site in Inner Mongolia
4) This so-called "jade dragon" was excavated from a Hung-shan Culture site in Inner Mongolia and dates to about 5000 years ago. In the form of a "C"-shaped pendant with a hole in the middle for suspension, this slender, snake-like serpent was delicately carved and engraved with lines. It has few features apart from its long mouth, nose, eyes, and what appears to be a flaring mane.


 

This 'dragon' is found on a painted pottery bowl unearthed from a T'ao-ssu Lung-shan Culture site in Shansi
5) This "dragon" is found on a painted pottery bowl unearthed from a T'ao-ssu Lung-shan Culture site in Shansi province and dates to about 4500 to 3900 years ago. The body of this patternized serpent is divided down the middle with alternating sections as it curls around the rim of the bowl and ends with a stubby tail. Without a discernible neck, it has a small eye and a mouth with rows of sharp teeth. It appears with an object in its mouth that might also be its tongue.