蛟 (jiāo) - flood dragon & mythical aquatic dragon-like creature

蛟Tone 1

jiāo ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

蛟 · jiāo

flood dragon;

mythical aquatic dragon-like creature;

often depicted as a hornless dragon or serpent that can transform into a true dragon.

flood dragonmythical aquatic dragon-like creatureoften depicted as a hornless dragon or serpent

Usage highlights

flood dragonjiao and dragoncapture the jiaojiao palacejiao pearlfierce jiao

Synonyms

  • 龙— dragon (the fully evolved form)
  • 螭— hornless dragon (mythical creature)

Antonyms

  • 鱼— fish (ordinary aquatic creature)
  • 虫— insect (small, insignificant creature)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The legend tells of a flood dragon (蛟龙) dwelling in the deep pool.
  • Ancient texts describe the jiao as a powerful water creature (蛟).
  • The flood caused by the jiao dragon (蛟) devastated the village.
  • He dreamed of riding a jiao across the clouds (乘蛟).

Collocations

  • flood dragon(蛟龙)
  • jiao and dragon(蛟螭)
  • capture the jiao(擒蛟)
  • jiao palace(蛟宫)
  • jiao pearl(蛟珠)
  • fierce jiao(恶蛟)

Idioms

  • The flood dragon gets rain and clouds(蛟龙得雨)
  • The flood dragon rises from the abyss(蛟龙出水)
  • Drawing a flood dragon(画蛟)
  • The flood dragon's angry waves(蛟怒涛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese mythology, the jiao is an intermediate stage between a serpent and a true dragon, capable of causing floods.
  • Often depicted as a water-dwelling creature with a single horn or no horns, sometimes with four legs.
  • Represents powerful, untamed natural forces and the potential for transformation and ascension.
  • Frequently appears in folklore about great floods and heroic figures who subdue water monsters.

FAQ