Muyang Straw Dragon

Muyang Straw Dragon

The Muyang Straw Dragon is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Muyang Straw Dragon: Since the Tang Dynasty, the people of Muyang have held straw dragon performances every year, and the tradition of playing with the straw dragon has been passed down through generations.

　　How can hundreds of acres of straw be turned into a single Muyang Straw Dragon?

　　Spring Festival Spotlight:

　　A Grand Celebration as the Muyang Straw Dragon Dances to Life

　　During the Spring Festival, the lively Muyang Straw Dragon from Leshan danced through the streets, bringing New Year blessings to the people.

　　Tumbling, bowing, swaying its tail... On February 14, the first day of the Lunar New Year, at 10 a.m., amid the resounding beats of Sichuan opera gongs and drums, two golden, lifelike “Chinese dragons” came alive, skillfully maneuvered by 50 strong men in ethnic costumes moving in perfect coordination. They soared as if gazing at the moon, coiled on the ground, played with a pearl together, and wriggled through nine curves. Soon, the main streets of the city were buzzing with excitement, as the sounds of drums, firecrackers, and cheers rose wave upon wave, transforming the county town into a sea of joy. Some locals even took out their cameras and phones to capture the happiness around them.

　　During the Spring Festival, the lively Muyang Straw Dragon danced through the streets, bringing New Year blessings to the people and receiving a warm welcome from urban and rural crowds wherever it went.

　　Origin Legend:

　　The Muyang Straw Dragon Once Received High Praise from Emperor Taizong of Tang

　　Since the Tang Dynasty, the people of Muyang have held straw dragon performances every year, and the tradition of playing with the straw dragon has been passed down through generations.

　　Also known as the Yellow Dragon, the Muyang Straw Dragon is made from over 848,000 unblemished, golden straw stalks carefully selected from more than 3,000 kilograms of freshly harvested straw, stretching 200.8 meters in length. In November 2003, the Muyang Straw Dragon successfully applied for a Guinness World Record, becoming the longest straw dragon in the world.

　　According to legend, the origin of the Muyang Straw Dragon is quite fascinating. It is said that at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Li Shimin led his army to conquer various regional warlords. One day, exhausted, he leaned against a large haystack and soon fell asleep. In his dream, he saw himself riding a straw dragon, dressed in a yellow robe, escorted by divine beasts as he toured the land. Later, Li Shimin became Emperor Taizong, fulfilling the dream. To express gratitude for the auspicious omen brought by the straw dragon, in the second year of the Zhenguan era (628 AD), he ordered competitions for straw dragon dancing to be held across the country. As a result, straw dragons were crafted and sent to the capital from all regions. On the day of the competition, among the many flying straw dragons, one stood out for its vigorous movements, lively leaps, and exceptional agility, immediately catching the attention of Emperor Taizong. It was later discovered that this remarkable straw dragon had been offered by Yujin County (now Muyang County) in Jiannan Dao, Xishu. In addition to rewarding it handsomely, Emperor Taizong bestowed the title “Hometown of the Straw Dragon” upon Yujin County. Since then, the people of Muyang have held straw dragon performances every year, and the tradition of playing with the straw dragon has been passed down through generations.