Part of our dragon quotes blog post series.
Asian Dragon Quotes
The dragons begin to speak. Ying and Yang are commingled.
~ The Yuan Kien Lei Han
“Crouching tiger hidden dragon” is a quote from Chinese mythology. It refers to hiding your strength from others.
~ IMDB trivia
“The dragon represents individuals who are always full of life and enthusiasm, with a reputation for being fun loving and innovative. This perfectly describes the woman for whom I design.”
~ Hong Kong-born designer Vivienne Tam on her collection tribute to the Year of the Dragon
I know how the birds fly, how the fishes swim, how animals run. But there is the Dragon. I cannot tell how it mounts on the winds through the clouds and flies through heaven. Today I have seen the Dragon.
~ Confucius, after meeting Lao-Tze, founder of Taoism
New Year is a dragon. New Year is the most ferocious of all sea dragons. It lives in a palace at the bottom of the sea.
~ The Dragon New Year, David Bouchard
Better to sit all night than to go to bed with a dragon.
~ Zen Proverb
The fish in his pond are big as dragons,
And the surrounding forest is still the day long.
~ Zen Poems of Ryokan (translated by John Stevens)
The Chinese ancients believed that if you breathe life and energy into your spiritual dragon, or your greater self, you create change that breathes life and energy into all, allowing you to ride the dragon’s expansive spirit to a zenith of endless possibilities.
~ A favourite of Lady Rose’s (source unknown)
If you ignore the dragon, it will eat you. If you try to confront the dragon it will overpower you. If you ride the dragon, you will take advantage of its might and power.
~ Chinese Proverb on dragon quotes
With money you are a dragon; with no money, a worm.
~ Chinese Proverb
Bruce Lee was born in the Year of the Dragon during the Hour of the Dragon, which according to Chinese zodiac tradition is a strong and fortuitous omen.
~ WingLuke.org (more on Bruce Lee: The Dragon)
Misfortune is a test of people’s fidelity. . .When the prison doors are opened, the real dragon will fly out.
~ Ho Chi Minh
With brown eyes, black hair and yellow skin, we are forever descendants of the dragon.
~ Descendants of the Dragon song lyrics, via NPR.org
Famous Chinese Quotes and Proverbs about Dragons
人中之龙 (rén zhōng zhī lóng)
Means: “A dragon among men.”
This proverb or idiom is used when describing a superlative and exceptional talent.
降龍伏虎 (xiáng lóng fú hǔ)
Means: “To vanquish the dragon and tiger.”
Refers to overcoming powerful enemies.
龙飞凤舞 (lóng fēi fèn gwǔ)
Means: “Dragon flies and phoenix dances.”
Refers to a flamboyant calligraphy style where the writing is absent of real content. In other words, all fluff and no substance.
Sources: FluentU.com, Quora, China Highlights
Japanese Quotes and Proverbs about Dragons
The head of a dragon, the tail of a snake.
ドラゴンの頭、ヘビの尾。
This refers to how the start is grand and majestic, similar to a dragon’s head. However the ending is small and pathetic, like a snake’s tail.
Source: Kameng Shambhala
Korean Dragon Quotes
A dragon rises from a small stream.
Source: Korean Wiki Project