Golden Dragon Museum

LOONG

(Dragon)

Loong is the oldest Imperial (five-clawed) dragon in the world! He made his first appearance in Bendigo in 1892 and continued to walk the streets of Bendigo every year until his retirement in 1970.

He was created in the city of Fat Shan on the Pearl River near Canton in China. In his original state, Loong was about sixty metres long and is built of silk, mirrors, bambo and papier maché.

In 1901 Loong was taken to Melbourne for the Victorian and National Parade to mark the opening of Australia's first Federal Parliament.

The Victoria Heritage Council listed Loong on the Victorian Heritage Register in 2008.

Loong on parade at the opening on Australia's first Federal Parliament in 1901

SUN LOONG

(New Dragon)

Sun Loong was brought to Bendigo from Hong Kong to replace Loong in 1970. He was created by Lo On Kee, a traditional dragon builder.

Sun Loong is the longest Imperial dragon in th world, at more than 100 metres in length. He requires 52 people plus 52 reliefs to carry him. Sun Loong is covered in 4,500 scales, 90,000 mirrors, 30,000 beads and his head weighs 29kg.

Before he appeared in 1970, he was blessed and brought to life by 101 year old Mr James Lew, who dotted the new dragon's eyes wth chicken blood. Sun Loong was first awoken to accompany Loong's last Bendigo Easter procession in 1970.

YAR LOONG

(Night Dragon)

Yar Loong first appeared in 1937. Yar Loong is a night dragon and paraded during the night time, lit up with candles from the inside.

He is made of delicate silks and carries his own illumination.

When the Chinese collection was being prepared for display in the museum in 1990, Yar Loong was badly in need of restoration.

Unfortunately he was badly burnt from the candles that were used to illuminate him at night time. This work was undertaken by volunteers at the museum in 1996, a project funded by the YMCA's men of Kangaroo Flat, and was completed in 9 months.

Yar Loong appeared in December 1996 for the opening of the Classical Chinese Gardens (Yin Yuan - The Garden of Joy) and has since reappeared on several occasions

GANSU LOONG (Dragon from Gansu Province, China)
Gansu Loong was donated by the Gansu province of China in March 1992, a gift to the Bendigo Chinese Association. Gansu is the province where Bendigo's Chinese sister-city Tianshui is located, which is approximately two hours South-West of Beijing. Gansu Loong made his first appearance in the 1992 Easter Tourchlight Procession (a night procession) and has since appeared many times in Bendigo, for activities such as the welcoming of Chinese delegates to Bendigo and participation in local festivals and special events.

MING & PING LOONG

(Brightness & Peace Dragons)

A new pair of dragons were acquired from Beijing for the Easter celebrations in 2001.

Ming, which means brightness, has a yellow beard and is the male partner of Bendigo's first female dragon, Ping, which means peace and has a green beard.

Ming and Ping are each 18 metres long and require 10 people to carry each of them. Dragons are traditionally carried by men, however in the new millennium, Beijing created a new female dragon to be carried by women.

According to Chinese symbolism the dragon represents maleness and the phoenix femaleness. However in some Chinese folklore the human race were created by Nu Wa, a half dragon, half woman being who made people out of clay.

XIAO LE LOONG

(Happy Little Dragon)

The baby of Ming and Ping Loong. Xiao Le Loong requires only nine carriers. This little dragon was aquired from Beijing in 2001 especially for hands-on school workshops and associated activities. This Happy Little Dragon made his debut at the Bendigo Easter Fair procession in 2002.

CHOI LOONG

(Competitive, prosperous colourful and lucky dragon)

The newest addition to Bendigo's dragon family, Choi Loong is a very special dragon. Acquired in December 2006 and arriving in Bendigo in January 2007, Choi Loong's name says it all - this is a colorful, competitive dragon bringing prosperity and luck to Bendigo.

The Bendigo Chinese Association chose to have this latest edition made in Fatt Shan, China - the same region where our famous Imperial Dragon Loong was made. Choi Loong is young and ready for the future while having important links with the past. Unlike all the other dragons which are either male or female and carried by either men or women, Choi Loong is androgynous and can be carried by men and women together.

In addition Choi Loong is a night dragon and glows under a black light. It is a wonderful addition to the dragon family here in Bendigo and it is a highlight at the Easter Torch Light procession where it weaves its illuminated body through the streets of Bendigo.