青龍
seiryū
In Japanese, the phrase for "green dragon" is 青龍 (seiryū).
青龍 refers to a mythical creature from East Asian mythology that represents the east and the season of spring.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 青, which means blue/green and 龍, which means dragon.
How do you pronounce it?
seiryū
Did you know?
- The word 青 is still used today to describe 'green' things like 'green traffic lights' 青信号, even though those lights are physically green.
- In Japanese astronomy, 青龍 is not just a legend but a specific constellation group within the lunar mansion system, marking the path of the stars in the eastern sky.
- The 青龍 is one of the four guardian spirits of the cardinal directions. While the green dragon guards the east, the white tiger guards the west, the vermilion bird guards the south and the black tortoise guards the north.
Examples in context
- このゲームでは、緑の竜が非常に強力な敵キャラクターとして登場します。In this game, a green dragon appears as an extremely powerful enemy character.
- 青龍は東を守る神様です。Seiryuu wa higashi o mamoru kamisama desu.The green dragon is a god that protects the east.
- 壁に青龍の絵が描いてあります。Kabe ni Seiryuu no e ga kaite arimasu.A picture of a green dragon is painted on the wall.
- 伝説では青龍は春を象徴しています。Densetsu de wa Seiryuu wa haru o shouchou shite imasu.In legend, the green dragon symbolizes spring.
Example conversation
Two people are visiting a traditional shrine.
- 大翔 Hirotoあの彫刻は青龍ですか？Ano choukoku wa Seiryuu desu ka?Is that carving a green dragon?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても立派な青龍ですね。Hai, totemo rippa na Seiryuu desu ne.Yes, it is a very magnificent green dragon.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんは、この絵が好きですか？Himari-san wa, kono e ga suki desu ka?Himari, do you like this painting?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても神秘的で大好きです。Hai, totemo shinpiteki de daisuki desu.Yes, I love it because it is so mysterious.
