Details
Description
Dragon - the serpentine guardian of East Asian myth, long tied to emperors, rainfall and sheer power.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
A pictograph stylizing a dragon's head and serpentine body. Worshipped since ancient times as a divine beast that summons rain clouds. Simplified form of 龍.
Symbolism
Symbolizes power, divinity, and auspiciousness. In the East, represents emperors and is a divine beast bringing success and prosperity.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Dragon dancing
Component Breakdown
Stand + simplified dragon
Words & Expressions
Words written with 竜
Four-Character Compounds
竜頭蛇尾
りゅうとうだび
strong beginning and weak ending; anticlimax
竜攘虎搏
りゅうじょうこはく
fierce fighting
画竜点睛
がりょうてんせい
finishing touches; last vital touch
臥竜鳳雛
がりょうほうすう
gifted young person who shows much promise; unrecognized genius; great person whose talent is hidden under a bushel
伏竜鳳雛
ふくりょうほうすう
gifted young person who shows much promise; unrecognized genius; great person whose talent is hidden under a bushel
飛竜乗雲
ひりゅうじょううん
hero that seizes the moment and rises; a dragon soaring through the clouds
Poetry
ちはやぶる 神代もきかず 竜田川 からくれなゐに 水くくるとは
Not even in the age of the raging gods was such a thing heard — the Tatsuta River dyeing its water deep crimson.
あらし吹く み室の山の もみぢ葉は 竜田の川の 錦なりけり
The maple leaves blown from Mount Mimuro by the storm have become the brocade of the Tatsuta River.
Anime & Manga
竜とそばかすの姫
Belle
'Dragon' symbolizes the mysterious character in the virtual world. A story inspired by Beauty and the Beast.
最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》
Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle
A well-known work with 竜 in its Japanese title.
クロスアンジュ 天使と竜の輪舞
Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon
A well-known work with 竜 in its Japanese title.
星刻の竜騎士
Dragonar Academy
A well-known work with 竜 in its Japanese title.
やり直し令嬢は竜帝陛下を攻略中
The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor
A well-known work with 竜 in its Japanese title.
Games
ドラゴンクエスト
Dragon Quest(1986)
Developer: Square Enix
Japan's iconic RPG series. 'Dragon' is central to the title and world.
View on Amazon →Related Figures & Stories
京極竜子
Name contains 竜
Kyōgoku Tatsuko was a Japanese woman who lived from the Sengoku period to the early Edo period.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 竜 mean in Japanese?
竜 means dragon, imperial. Dragon - the serpentine guardian of East Asian myth, long tied to emperors, rainfall and sheer power.
How do you read 竜?
On'yomi: リュウ、リョウ、ロウ (RYUU, RYOU, ROU). Kun'yomi: たつ、いせ (tatsu, ise).
How many strokes does 竜 have?
竜 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 立 (stand).
Is 竜 a good kanji for a tattoo?
竜 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means dragon, imperial. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.