Basic Information

Alternative names: Tiao Tu
Alternative spellings: Jiao Tu
Type/Species: Long
Origin: Taoist Mythology, Chinese Mythology

About Jiaotu

Jiaotu, sometimes called Tiao Tu, was one of the nine sons of the dragon. He lived behind high walls and refused to leave or come to the door until forced was used. [3] Jiaotu also enjoyed closing things and keeping things closed. [1] Jiaotu's image now adorns gates and doors, but usually as fixed decorations, not as door handles or knockers. [1]

In some stories, Jiaotu was the emperor's gate sentinel. [2] Now, this dragon guards the entryways to people's homes and businesses. [4]

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Physical Description

Jiaotu was featured on many gilded decorative plates on gates, which appeared much like door handles but without specific function. [1] However, the majority of these motifs are ornamental masks and do not depict the whole dragon. [1]

Jiaotu was a traditional long dragon.

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Quick Facts

  • Jiaotu was one of the nine sons of the dragon. [3]
  • He enjoyed closing things and keeping them shut. [1]
  • Once, he lived behind high walls and refused to leave or even come to the door. [3]
  • He was the sentinel of the emperor's gate. [2]
  • The visage of Jiaotu now adorns doors, [1] guarding the entryway to homes and businesses alike. [4]
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Related Articles

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Footnotes

  1. Bates 48
  2. National Geographic [Essential] 342
  3. Young 19
  4. Young 20

For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.

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