Gazing upon this mountain, do you know its name speaks of a powerful, winged dragon? Ying Long Shan. The name itself echoes through ancient Chinese mythology. It translates to “responsive dragon”. This peak connects us to legends of rain deities and mythical emperors.
Ying Long Shan. It’s a name that resonates with tales of the Yellow Emperor and King Yu. These stories tell of Yinglong’s role in controlling floods. Legend says Emperor Yao assigned Yu’s father, Gun, to control flooding. Gun failed. Emperor Shun then appointed Yu. Yu succeeded by constructing canals and dividing China into nine provinces.
The “Heavenly Questions” section of the Chu Ci asks about Yinglong. It questions how Yu transformed. How did he fill the flood waters? What did the winged dragon trace on the ground? Wang Yi’s commentary says Yinglong drew lines. These lines showed Yu where to dig drainage and irrigation canals.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas records variant Yinglong myths. It connects the “Responding Dragon” with deities who rebelled against the Yellow Emperor. These figures are the war-god Chiyou and the giant Kua Fu. The Classic mentions Yinglong killing both Chiyou and Kua Fu. It describes using Yinglong images for rainmaking. People make an image of Responding Dragon during droughts. Then they receive heavy rainfall.
Another myth says the Yellow Emperor’s daughter, Ba, killed Chiyou after Yinglong failed. Ba is a drought-demon. She is analogous to Kua Fu.
The Huainanzi also mentions Yinglong. One chapter explains how animal evolution originated through dragons. Yinglong is the progenitor of quadrupeds. This “Responsive Dragon” is often pictured with four wings.
Furthermore, the Huainanzi describes Fuxi and Nüwa being transported by Yinglong. They rode with green qiu-dragons. They were accompanied by white chi-dragons and speeding snakes. Gao Yu’s commentary describes Yinglong as a winged dragon.
The Guangya dictionary defines Yinglong as a winged dragon. It is one of the principal dragons. Dragons with scales are jiaolong. Those with wings are Yinglong. Dragons with horns are qiulung. Those without horns are qilong.
The Shuyiji lists Yinglong as a 1000-year-old dragon. A water snake transforms into a jiao after five hundred years. After a thousand years, a jiao becomes a long. Then, after another five hundred years, the long changes into a jiulong. Finally, after a thousand years, it transforms into an Yinglong.
The Flying Dragon statue is 6 meters long. It is set vividly on rocks. It overlooks the whole Man Cheung Po plain.
So as you stand here, remember Ying Long Shan’s mythical ties. It is more than just a peak. It’s a connection to ancient beliefs. It’s a symbol of power, control, and the enduring spirit of Chinese mythology. It is a legacy etched into the very landscape.