Dragon
Powerful auspicious symbols, dragons are ubiquitous in East Asian culture, including shamanistic cultures. This highly stylized painting depicts an established symbol of a dragon pursuing a circular “flaming pearl,” with its spiky, snakelike body disappearing and reappearing in a black cloud. Its bulging eyes, distorted snout, and trident-shaped horns make it look more like a monster than a dragon. Used in rituals to ward off evil spirits, the red seal in the shape of a bronze tripod at the top may have been applied during a ritual to activate the painting and generate talismanic energy.
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