The world has a long and rich history of dragons. Various cultures have interpreted the powerful symbol differently, from the fire-breathing destroyers often seen in European settings, to the benevolent and compassionate images often found in ancient Asian spiritualties — notably shamanism and Daoism — and finally, to the adoption in Korean Buddhism of this rich symbolism found in almost every temple on the peninsula. The royal and imperial nature of dragon iconography is also recognized when referring to the peninsula's historical monarchies. For example, royal robes were embroidered with dragon imagery. The ceiling of the throne hall at Gyeongbok Palace features a golden dragon sculpture symbolizing the king's power. The same is true of most Asian entities. Dragons are also symbols of life, representing the planet's large-scale water cycle. An understanding of Korea’s dragon culture is an essential part of understanding Korea and its people. David A. Mason, a retired professor of cultural tourism, has been engaged in Korea since the early 1980s. He is a passionate storyteller,