The Dragon King is one of the Four Celestial Animals (Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise) in Taoism and a deity in charge of cloud formation and rain in the Taoist pantheon.
The Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing (The Supreme Scripture of Divine Incantations from the Cavern Abyss) includes a "Chapter on Dragon Kings," listing the "Five Emperor Dragon Kings" distinguished by directions, the "Four Sea Dragon Kings" distinguished by oceans, as well as 54 names of Dragon Kings and 62 names of Divine Dragon Kings classified by all things in heaven and earth.
During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, an imperial edict was issued to offer sacrifices to the Dragon Pool, with altar officials conducting the rituals following the etiquette for worshipping the Rain Master. Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty continued the Tang system of sacrificing to the Five Dragons. In the second year of the Daguan era of the Song Dynasty (1108), an imperial edict granted royal titles to the Five Dragons across the country: the Azure Dragon God was titled King Guangren, the Vermilion Dragon God King Jiaze, the Yellow Dragon God King Fuying, the White Dragon God King Yiji, and the Black Dragon God King Lingze. In the second year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1863), the Dragon God of the Grand Canal was further conferred the title "Divine Dragon of Extended Blessings, Manifest Responsiveness, and Water Diversion," and the Viceroy of River Affairs was ordered to offer sacrifices at regular intervals.
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In Taoism, the duty of the Dragon King is to summon clouds and bring rain, eliminating drought, heat, and troubles for people. The belief in the Dragon King governing water has become widespread among the people. The "Chapter on Dragon Kings" in the Taoist Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing states: "When a land suffers from severe drought, crops fail, and people are at a loss," the Primordial 天尊 (Yuanshi Tianzun) arrives in a five-colored cloud, propagates the orthodox Dharma with various Dragon Kings of heaven and earth, universally saves all living beings, and sends down heavy rain and floods, bringing timely 甘霖 (sweet moisture).
There are differences in various documents and local folk legends regarding the birthday of the Dragon King. In the old days, temples dedicated to the Dragon King were almost as common as those of the City God and the Earth God. Whenever there was unbalanced wind and rain, prolonged drought, or continuous rain, people would go to the Dragon King Temple to burn incense and pray, asking the Dragon King to govern water and ensure favorable weather for crops.
