Dual Dragon Query

[Salsero]

I have only two pieces of teaware with a dragon motif, and both of them have two dragons facing each other and some strange thing in between them. Does anyone know what this dual dragon thing is or what it means? The two pieces came from different vendors and were purchased more than a year apart.

Here is the gaiwan: the lid repeats the theme of the bowl, but I am posting both in case one has a clue the other doesn't.



I put a mirror there so you can see the other side of the gaiwan. Clicking will reveal a larger image.




Here's the little cup, again with the mirror. Also, of course, clicking will give a larger view. The dragon on the far side seems to have a tongue or snake or spit or fire shooting from its mouth and hitting the little red thing between the two dragons.


Anyone know what the Dual Dragon story is? or what that thing between them is?

[betta]

Sal, they're handsome gaiwans!!!
I believe those are fire pearls. You can get some info here.

[Salsero]

Very cool, thanks for the link. Could that then also be a fire pearl that the male fu dog has under his foot?

[betta]

Sal, as far as I know, the male lion steps on a ball, which is called the flower of life.
There're too many myths in chinese ancient which are interesting to read

[britt]

Anyone know what the Dual Dragon story is? or what that thing between them is?

I especially like the pair of cups; I haven't seen those particular ones before.

The dual dragons are protective guardians, or so I hear, just like dual lions or shishi. They will often guard the two sides of a gate or doorway.

I believe the object in between the two dragons is a pearl.

I placed an order for this item early this morning. It is supposedly Chinese and it also has the two dragons with the ball or pearl in between them. It has a third dragon on the lid and I have no idea if there is any meaning to triple dragons. I think the lid is just extra decoration, but that the two main dragons are the significant ones representing protection as guardians.

[heavydoom]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragons

[Victoria]

Very cool, thanks for the link. Could that then also be a fire pearl that the male fu dog has under his foot?

The male fu dog has his paw on the globe/earth.
The female on her cubs.
Wasn't this outlined in Foo 101?

[Salsero]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragons

Thanks for the link, HD, very interesting reading!

The male fu dog has his paw on the globe/earth. The female on her cubs.

Wikipedia suggests that betta may be right here:

"The male lion has his right paw on a ball, which represents the "flower of life" The female is essentially identical, but has a single cub under her left paw, representing the cycle of life." In Europe, the globe is a relatively recent representation of the earth, but maybe the ancient Chinese used globes earlier.

For me too, the earth is a more satisfying interpretation, but the flower of life concept seems more consistent with Chinese symbology.

[Victoria]

Perhaps, yet that is this only time I have seen that interpretation.

[hop_goblin]

They are really sweet Gaiwans! Nice Sal!

[Thirsty Daruma]

Nice gaiwans and fascinating reading. I'm a little sad there's no definitive conclusion on the meaning of that "pearl", but the mythology adds a bit of mystique to tea drinking. Always a welcome detail.

[Salsero]

Nice gaiwans and fascinating reading. I'm a little sad there's no definitive conclusion on the meaning of that "pearl", but the mythology adds a bit of mystique to tea drinking. Always a welcome detail.

Good point. There seems always to be an element of romance to tea, and a little mystery or two just adds to that feel.

[edkrueger]

In Europe, the globe is a relatively recent representation of the earth, but maybe the ancient Chinese used globes earlier.

That seems the obvious symbol for the earth, if you know its round.