Happy National Dragon Appreciation Day! (Yes, it’s a real thing—January 16th. Who knew?)

With the Year of the Dragon coming to a close, it’s the perfect time to appreciate the dragons in our garden. Well, technically, they’re dragon fish, but close enough!

If you are a regular at Lan Su, you have likely seen the two whimsical creatures perched on the roof of the Hall of Brocade Clouds. Officially known as Chi Wen (螭吻), they have the head of a dragon and the body of a fish. In Chinese folklore, Chi Wen is one of the nine sons of the dragon and believed to be the offspring of a dragon and a fish. (I guess the dragon dad have a diverse family tree and a rather interesting dating history—each son has a different creature as a mother, kind of like Zeus in Greek mythology.)

While Western dragons are often portrayed as fire-breathing creatures, Chinese and East Asian dragons—and their relatives, such as Chi Wen—are all about water. Since they were believed to summon rain, snow, and frost at a moment’s notice, Think of them like Elsa from Frozen, but in a dragon fish’s body! That is why that Chi Wen was placed on rooftops. With all the water magic, they are believed to protect buildings from fire. In today’s world, especially after recent wildfires, that’s a trait we can definitely appreciate.

Chi Wen has a long history in Chinese architecture. It first appeared after the Eastern Jin dynasty (4th–5th century) as a hawk-like tail. By the Sui dynasty (6th–7th century), it resembled fins. During the Tang dynasty (7th–10th century), Chi Wen evolved into a creature with a beastly mouth gripping rooftops. Finally, during the Ming and Qing dynasties (14th–20th century), which influenced Lan Su’s architecture, Chi Wen became the dragon fish we know today.

What I love about this piece of Chinese culture is how sweet and symbolic it is. Our ancestors, who relied on good weather and ample rain for their livelihoods, carved their hopes for prosperity and rain into their rooftops—hence, the birth of Chi Wen. And today, these dragon fish still stand guard, watching over important buildings, homes, and gardens.

May Chi Wen bring you protection and the power of water. Before the Year of the Dragon officially ends, be sure to stop by and say hello to our Chi Wen during your next visit to Lan Su!