sentences:  The three-clawed dragon was used by lower ranks and the general public (widely seen on various Chinese goods in the Ming dynasty).The dragon, however, was only for select royalty closely associated with the imperial family, usually in various symbolic colors, while it was a capital offense for anyone—other than the emperor himself—to ever use the completely gold-colored, five-clawed "Long" dragon motif.Improper use of claw number or colors was considered treason, punishable by execution of the offender's entire clan.