Dragons naturally have been closely associated with the emperor, and gold was the most royal color in China. In fact, only emperors and other members of the imperial family were allowed to wear clothing resembling golden or yellow dragons. A golden Dragon as shown to the left symbolizes royalty.

The dragon's facial expression and shape also point to movement and flow, symbolizing liveliness. And since the golden dragon already represents royalty and the imperial family, this work of art may represent the emperor's long and powerful rule, along with China's prosperity during the emperor's reign.

The flames on the sun are the same as some of the flames emanating from the dragon’s body, furthering the light and power of the dragon. The sun, known as yang (陽) in Chinese, is the same character in the Chinese yin-yang (陰陽), so the identical flames demonstrate that the golden dragon is an embodiment of the sun and of the light. This further supports the belief that dragons are divine beings from the heavens, and through the Mandate of Heaven, it is the heavens that grant the emperor's right to rule. A dragon that represents the sun then also represents the heavens. The unknown artist behind this piece wanted to illustrate the emperor's sovereignty and absolute power through this physical embodiment of the sun.

From the collection of: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Made by Connor Chen