Knowing that the Jade Emperor was not going to do anything, they decided to scoop up the seawater and spray it into the sky to give the people rain. The rain saved the crops and people. But the dragons were arrested and placed under mountains to keep them prisoner. In their last act to do good for the people, they turned themselves into rivers making China's four great rivers. (Chinese Dragons).
The Chinese dragon was a divine bringer of rain, necessary for the good of the people. Throughout Chinese history the dragon has been equated with weather. It is said that some of the worst floods were caused when a mortal has upset a dragon. The dragon was also a symbol of the emperor whose wisdom and divine power assured the well-being of his subjects. Many myths draw connections between the dragon and the emperor. Some emperors claimed to have descended from the dragon. The Chinese dragons are powerful creatures that are associated with good. (The Chinese Dragon). "Unlike the negative energies associated with Western Dragons, most Eastern Dragons are beautiful, friendly, and wise. They are the angels of the Orient. Instead of being hated, they are loved and worshipped. Temples and shrines have been built to honor them, for they control the rain, rivers, lakes and seas. Many Chinese cities have pagodas where people used to burn incense and pray to dragons." (Chinese Dragons). The Chinese celebrate the New Year with a dragon dance and myth. Some emperors believed that they were decedents of dragons and others believed that they were special protectors. Because the dragon is such a big part of the Chinese culture, they also have many forms of art that contain dragons. The clothing of many high ranking figures, such as emperors and empresses contained finely embroidered dragon designs. .
An example of one of these finely decorated robes is one that was made for the empress of china during the Ch"ing dynasty (1821-50).