The difference between dragon and python is:
1. Dragon is a creature in myths and legends, python is a large reptile, dragon ranks fifth among the twelve zodiac signs, and python belongs to the snake class. Ranked 6th.
2. Used as clothing decorations in different colors. The five claws are dragon and the four claws are python. The dragon on the dragon robe is golden yellow, and the python on the python robe is usually azurite or dark blue.
3. The status of dragons and pythons in ancient history was very different, with dragons being the most respected.
What is the difference between a dragon and a python? The power symbolized by dragons and pythons in ancient costumes
Species difference: dragons and pythons
Dragon is a creature that lives in myths and legends. It lives in the sea and can call the wind and rain. It is used to symbolize auspiciousness. Together with the phoenix in myths and legends, the auspicious appearance of dragon and phoenix represents the beautiful meaning in traditional Chinese culture. There are many types of dragons, including green dragon, yinglong, horned dragon, fire dragon, bean dragon, cloud dragon, walking dragon, mirage dragon, etc. The five-clawed golden dragon is the most respected, and no one has ever seen it.
Python is a common terrestrial reptile that lives in rainforest mountains. It is good at climbing and needs to hibernate. It is distributed in many countries such as eastern and southern Asia. Because of their great commercial and medicinal value, pythons have become endangered animals.
The distinction between patterns used in ancient clothing
01 How was the dragon pattern born and the supremacy of the dragon robe
"Historical Records: The Chronicles of the Five Emperors" records that the Yellow Emperor Pusan In line with this, "the princes respect Xuanyuan as the emperor."
This is why the current Chinese people claim to be descendants of the Yanhuang and the descendants of the dragon: the emperor allied with the tribes, in addition to achieving military and political unification, he also combined the totems of each tribe to create new animal images, namely For the dragon totem.
A large number of dragon patterns began to appear on bronzes during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. As a symbol of power, they evolved into the exclusive possession of the emperor. From then on, the emperor was called the "True Dragon Emperor", and the clothes worn by the emperor began to have dragon patterns. The dragon pattern embroidery is called dragon robe.
It is said in "Yi Qian": "On the ninth day of the fifth year, the flying dragon is in the sky, which is good for seeing adults." That is, the Nine-Five Supreme. Fifth, there are five claws. Ancient emperors' dragon robes had at least nine dragons embroidered on them. During the Renzong period of the Northern Song Dynasty, there were 12 dragons. The "Yan Bian suit" designed in the seventh year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty even had as many as 45 dragons. It was mainly used for wearing in grand ceremonies.
What is the difference between a dragon and a python? The power symbolized by dragons and pythons in ancient costumes
In feudal society, the only owner of dragon robes was the emperor. Making or hiding it secretly by others is equivalent to treason. Therefore, in the process of power change, dragon robes sometimes become a weapon to frame opponents.
For example, Yang Mi's "Palace Lock Heart Jade" is based on the background of the Kangxi Emperor's struggle to seize the heir in the Qing Dynasty. Prince Yinreng was framed and mistakenly wore a dragon robe. Luo Qingchuan suddenly changed his five claws to four. Danger abounds. It can be seen that in feudal society, the status of "dragon" is supreme and insurmountable.
02 The python pattern is auspicious, and the status of the symbol of the python robe has evolved
The so-called "five claws are dragon, four claws are python", because the python pattern looks like a dragon pattern, it has the same meaning in traditional culture auspicious. Robes with python patterns embroidered on them are called python robes. Although they originated in the Ming Dynasty, they were not standard attire for officials. Instead, they were an honor bestowed by the emperor. They were only worn by subordinates who had made great contributions or were deeply trusted by the emperor. opportunity gained. Rare things are valuable, and in order to maintain their uniqueness and dignity, the imperial court issued repeated orders: "Civil and military officials are not allowed to use python robes, flying fish, bullfighting, or prohibited costumes of different colors."
The first official in history to be granted the honor of wearing a python robe is said to be Luo Furen, a scholar of the Hongwu Dynasty. Later, historical celebrities such as Li Dongyang, Xu Jie, and Zhang Juzheng were also awarded python robes. It was a blessing for the scholar-bureaucrat to wear a python robe, which meant his position and the honor of his ministers. Emperor Yongle also gave python robes to leaders of vassal states and northern ethnic groups.
What is the difference between a dragon and a python? The power symbolized by dragons and pythons in ancient costumes
In the Qing Dynasty, the status represented by python robes was not obvious. From the royal family to the lowest tenth-level officials, they could wear python robes. However, the color of the patches on the clothes and the number of python patterns are different.
According to the "Huidian of the Qing Dynasty", the python robes worn by princes and princes were embroidered with nine pythons. Officials from Baylor to the third rank were embroidered with nine pythons and four claws, and those from the fourth to the sixth rank were embroidered with eight pythons and four claws. , seventh to ninth grade embroidery with five pythons and four claws. Dragons in the Qing Dynasty were not entirely five-clawed, and pythons were not entirely four-clawed. For example, high-ranking officials could wear "five-clawed pythons", and noble relatives also had the opportunity to wear "four-clawed dragons". As for when to be a dragon, when Being a python, there are strict requirements. The colors of bright yellow, golden and apricot are exclusive to the royal family and cannot be used by others.
What is the difference between a dragon and a python? Dragons and pythons symbolize power in ancient costumes
The python robe has wide sleeves and is solemn and majestic. It later became a professional name for costumes in the Chinese opera industry. In the classic TV series "Bao Qingtian", Bao Zheng is a bachelor of Longtuge. He wears a black and majestic official uniform that looks like a dragon robe, but in fact it is an opera costume, a four-clawed python robe. Bao Zheng was an official in the Northern Song Dynasty, and there were no python robes before the Ming Dynasty. It can be seen that it was only needed for the effects of film and television dramas.