Description
The Chinese Dragons Sampler is composed as a ritual chart combining several layers of traditional Chinese cosmological and auspicious symbolism.
Framed design
The design is shown on 14 count Aida fabric, but you may also use evenweave or fabric with a different count.
Grid Size: 15.7″ x 20″ (220W x 280H stitches)
Design Area: 14.29″ x 18.57″ (200 x 260stitches)
Techniques
Stitches required: Backstitch. Single thread for all the design. No fractional stitches.
Floss and Canvas
Monochrome design, DMC 310 or the color of your choice. The pattern is done with a single thread of floss, e.g. DMC 310. There are no fractional stitches in the pattern, but some stitches may intercross for artistic effect.
The pattern is intended for Aida 14, and can also be done on evenweave 28 over 2. It is not recommended to use a denser canvas as the details are likely to be lost. It is crafted to perfectly fit 14-count Aida fabric and effortlessly slides into a standard 16×20 in (40×50 cm) frame, offering you a hassle-free and cost-effective framing solution for your holiday decor.
ICONOGRAPHY
CENTER AND CORE
The centerpiece presents ten dragons, each enclosed in a diamond-shaped badge arranged in the pattern of an endless knot. Chinese names appear around the sampler in hieroglyphs, while English names are placed inside the badges.
– At the very top is the Dragon King of Wells and Springs 龍王, holding dominion over all bodies of water and acting as the dispenser of rain.
Below, the central part of the sampler depicts the Dragon Kings of the Five Regions, associated with the five directions and seasons:
– Center top: The Black Dragon (黑龍, Hēilóng), Dragon God of the North and essence of winter. His appearance recalls, but does not duplicate, the Black Tortoise. To his left is the Dragon King of the North Sea, Ao Shun (敖順), shown in simpler form as he is a king, not a god.
– Center right: The Azure Dragon (靑龍, Qīnglóng), Dragon God of the East and essence of spring. The mightiest of the five, he is rendered corpulent. To his left is the Dragon King of the East Sea, Ao Guang (敖光).
– Center bottom: The Vermilion Dragon (朱龍, Zhūlóng), Dragon God of the South and essence of summer. He carries feathered details as an allusion to the Vermilion Bird, but is not a bird. To his right is the Dragon King of the South Sea, Ao Qin (敖欽).
– Center left: The White Dragon (白龍, Báilóng), Dragon God of the West and essence of autumn. He is depicted as more hairy, with black stripes on white, recalling but not replicating the White Tiger. To his left is the Dragon King of the West Sea, Ao Run (敖閏).
– Bottom: The Yellow Dragon (黃龍, Huánglóng), Dragon God of the Center and of late summer. Associated with both the Jade Emperor and the Yellow Emperor, he is considered the imperial dragon. In the sampler he holds his head high and strives toward the central position rather than being fixed within it.
The badges of the five dragon gods bear hieroglyphs for their corresponding elements: wood for Azure, fire for Vermilion, metal for White, water for Black, and earth for Yellow. The four Dragon Kings of the Seas bear the hieroglyph “king,” while the top badge of the Sea Dragon King bears the hieroglyph “heaven.”
FIRST RING – BAGUA TRIGRAMS
The Bagua is a system of eight trigrams representing fundamental natural forces – Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Wind, Water, Fire, Mountain, and Lake – used in Taoist cosmology and the I Ching to describe the dynamic balance of yin and yang in the universe.
The trigrams start at the north and go around the circle according to their assigned cardinal directions. The main directions are marked with letters N, E, S, and W next to each trigram, e.g. ☵ for the north.
SECOND RING – CHINESE ZODIAC
The ring with the zodiac characters begins in the eastern quadrant between the Dragon God and Black Dragon. Three characters appear per quadrant:
– Rat, Ox, Tiger
– Rabbit, Dragon, Snake
– Horse, Goat, Monkey
– Rooster, Dog, Pig
THIRD RING – EIGHT AUSPICIOUS SYMBOLS (ASHTAMANGALA)
Outside the zodiac ring, eight round medallions hold the Eight Auspicious Symbols (ba jixiang), starting to the right of the Dragon King of Wells and Springs and going clockwise. These were originally used in ceremonies such as royal coronations.
– Dharmachakra (Wheel of Law)
– Conch
– Dhvaja (Victory Banner)
– Parasol
– Lotus
– Treasure Vase (bumpa)
– Golden Fish
– Endless Knot
FOURTH RING – EIGHT TREASURES (BABAO)
Within the same broad white band, the Eight Precious Things appear as a complementary auspicious group in lozenges next to the bat (fu) symbols.
Top left, just under Ao Shun, descending order:
– Jewel (Pearl) – wish fulfillment –
– Cash Coin – wealth
– Open Lozenge – victory
– Pair of Books – learning
Top right, just under Ao Guang, descending order:
– Mirror (Solid Lozenge) – harmony and protection
– Jade Stone Gong – just and upright life
– Pair of Rhinoceros Horns – happiness and purity
– Artemisia Leaf – good luck and health
The other elements in this ring include four stylized symbols:
– Cai (wealth) – next to the Dragon of the Northern Sea
– Shou (longevity) – next to the Dragon of the Eastern Sea
– Lu (good fortune) – next to the Dragon of the Southern Sea
– Xi (double happiness) – next to the Dragon of the Western Sea
OUTER RING – TWELVE ORNAMENTS
Around the outermost circle run medallions with the Twelve Ornaments – traditional imperial emblems – arranged in the final open ring. They are divided into two groups, for the upper and lower robes.
Upper robe – the first ornament is under Zhu Ming and above Ao Shun, then continues clockwise:
– Sun with the three-legged crow
– Moon with the moon rabbit pounding the elixir of life
– Three stars
– Sacred mountains
– Dragon
– Pheasant
Lower robe – continuing clockwise, the first ornament appears next to Ao Qin:
– Two cups
– Algae
– Fire
– Rice grains
– Axe
– The figure 亞 (fú) with two animals back to back, symbolizing the ability to distinguish right from wrong
THE FOUR HOLY BEASTS
The Four Auspicious Beasts guard the cardinal directions in the corners of the composition, enclosed within the yunjian motif (“cloud collar”), originally a cosmic symbol representing the Sky Gate, or entrance to heaven. Each is accompanied by one of the Four Noble Ones – the Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum – as in classical ink paintings.
Meng Zhang (孟章), Azure Dragon of the East and spring, paired with the Orchid, symbol of purity. Young yang – ⚎
Ling Guang (陵光), Vermilion Bird of the South and summer, paired with Bamboo, symbol of uprightness. Old yang – ⚌
Jian Bing (監兵), White Tiger of the West and autumn, paired with the Chrysanthemum, symbol of humility. Young yin – ⚍
Zhi Ming (執明), Black Tortoise of the North and winter, paired with the Plum Blossom, symbol of perseverance. Old yin – ⚏
Digital cross stitch / blackwork pattern with online download
No physical items will be shipped. Please note this is a PDF pattern only. No fabric, floss, or other materials are included in the listing. The finished cross stitch shown in the photos is for demonstration purposes only.
The PDF files will be emailed to you within 1 business day after the purchase.
In order to open PDF files you will need Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded here for free: www.adobe.com/products/reader
Due to the nature of this product, no refunds can be made. If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me and I’m sure we can work something out!
Happy stitching!
