Chinese, China

In this altarpiece five dragons float over mountains and waters, which together symbolize the celestial landscape. These five-clawed dragons, known as long, decorate
objects reserved for the imperial house, as opposed to the four-clawed mang dragons designed for lesser aristocrats. The central dragon, shown frontally, holds the flaming pearl (longzhu), a symbol of the power of the dragon, wisdom, knowledge, and the world. The five dragons are surrounded by bats and clouds, as well as by the Eight Taoist Attributes that symbolize the Eight Immortals of Taoism—sword, flute, fan, lotus/double gourd/crutch, castanets, flower basket, bamboo tube, and rods. At bottom, the Eight Precious Things of Buddhism—conch shell, wheel of the law, vase, parasol, two golden fish, lotus, banner of victory, and eternal knot—float amid the waves surrounding the sacred mountain.