Tradition: Chinese mythology
Alternative Names: Hairy Dragon
Category: Dragon
The Myth
Mao Long is a strange dragon covered in hair of five different colors. It lived deep beneath the earth in a mysterious cave called Yin Yuan Li, located in the southern land of Nanxun. The cave was connected to the earth’s veins and was also inhabited by Mao Yu, a hairy fish. The hairy dragons and hairy fish lived together within the hidden cavern, while the bones of such creatures could sometimes be found scattered across the marshlands above.
During the time of Shun, the kingdom of Nanxun presented two Mao Longs to the rulers, one male and one female. Because of these remarkable dragons, a special palace was established for the raising and keeping of dragons. The tradition of raising dragons continued through the Xia Dynasty, and the clan associated with these dragon keepers took its name from the creatures.
When Yu undertook the great task of guiding the rivers, he rode upon a Mao Long. The hairy dragon carried him through the waters as he brought order to the rivers and helped bring peace to the four seas. Once the waters and the land had been brought under control, Yu released the dragon back into the waters, allowing it to return to its natural realm.
Sources
“毛龙 (Máolóng; Hairy Dragon).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 2, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AF%9B%E9%BE%99