English: Chinese dragons are said to be made up of nine different animals: the head of a camel; scales of a fish; horns of a deer; eyes of a rabbit; ears of a bull; neck of a snake; belly of a frog; paws of a tiger; and claws of an eagle. Dragons appear in many areas of Chinese culture but today their purpose is mainly decorative. They cover shop fronts at Chinese New Year and are embroidered on silk clothing and wall hangings.

Object description: This Chinese dragon is made of gold-plated ceramic with a gold commemorative plate affixed with red silk tassels. It is one of a pair that was donated to the Queensland Museum in 2007 by Peter Beattie, a former Premier of Queensland. The Chinese Community of Queensland presented the dragon to him in recognition of his clear stance against racism and for embracing the multicultural nature of Queensland society. History:

Dragons are mythical creatures thought to possess magical powers that could ward off evil spirits. In ancient Chinese culture they were a symbol of power and strength. The Imperial golden dragon with five claws on each foot was a symbol for the emperor in many Chinese dynasties. Many Chinese people use the term ‘descendants of the dragon’ to refer to their cultural identity. Today dragon dances are a highlight of Chinese New Year celebrations.