Chinese dragon - wikipedia Chinese dragon Jump to : navigation , search `` Loong '' redirects here . For the airlines , see Loong Air . A Chinese dragon on a wall at the Haikou Yazhou Gu Cheng , Hainan , China Chinese dragon `` Dragon '' in oracle bone script ( top left ) , bronze script ( top right ) , seal script ( middle left ) , Traditional ( middle right ) , Japanese new - style ( shinjitai , bottom left ) , and Simplified ( bottom right ) Chinese characters Traditional Chinese 龍 Simplified Chinese 龙 ( show ) Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin lóng Wade -- Giles lung IPA ( lʊ̌ŋ ) Wu Suzhounese lón Yue : Cantonese Yale Romanization lùhng IPA ( lȍŋ ) Jyutping lung Southern Min Tâi - lô lîng ( col . ) liông ( lit . ) Old Chinese Baxter -- Sagart ( 2014 ) * mə - roŋ Zhengzhang * b roŋ or * mroːŋ Chinese dragons or East Asian dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology , Chinese folklore , and East Asian culture at large . East Asian dragons have many animal - like forms such as turtles and fish , but are most commonly depicted as snake - like with four legs . They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers , particularly control over water , rainfall , typhoons , and floods . The dragon is also a symbol of power , strength , and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture . During the days of Imperial China , the Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial power and strength . Dragon stone relief , between flights of steps in the Forbidden City . Portrait of the Yongle Emperor wearing a dragon robe In Chinese culture , excellent and outstanding people are compared to a dragon , while incapable people with no achievements are compared to other , disesteemed creatures , such as a worm . A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms feature references to a dragon , such as `` Hoping one 's son will become a dragon '' ( simplified Chinese : 望子成龙 ; traditional Chinese : 望子成龍 ; pinyin : wàng zǐ chéng lóng ) . Contents ( hide ) 1 Symbolic value 2 State symbol 3 Dragon worship 3.1 Origin 3.2 Mythical creature 3.3 Ruler of weather and water 3.4 Symbol of imperial authority 3.5 Modern belief 4 Depictions of the dragon 4.1 Neolithic depictions 4.2 Classical depictions 4.3 Nine sons of the dragon 4.4 Dragon claws 5 Cultural references 5.1 Number nine 5.2 Chinese zodiac 5.3 Constellations 5.4 Dragonboat racing 5.5 Dragon dancing 5.6 Dragons and nāgas 5.7 Dragons and tigers 5.8 Dragons and botany 6 In popular culture 7 Regional variations across Asia 8 Gallery 9 See also 10 References 10.1 Citations 10.2 Sources 11 External links Symbolic Value ( edit ) Historically , the East Asian dragon was associated with the Emperor of China and used a symbol to represent imperial power . The founder of Han dynasty Liu Bang claimed that he was conceived after his mother dreamt of a dragon . During the Tang dynasty , Emperors wore robes with dragon motif as an imperial symbol , and high officials might also be presented with dragon robes . In the Yuan dynasty , the two - horned five - clawed dragon was designated for use by the Son of Heaven or Emperor only , while the four - clawed dragon was used by the princes and nobles . Similarly during the Ming and Qing dynasty , the five - clawed dragon was strictly reserved for use by the Emperor only . The dragon in the Qing dynasty appeared on the first Chinese national flag . The dragon is sometimes used in the West as a national emblem of China though such use is not commonly seen in the People 's Republic of China or the Republic of China . Instead , it is generally used as the symbol of culture . In Hong Kong , the dragon was a component of the coat of arms under British rule . It was later to become a feature of the design of Brand Hong Kong , a government promotional symbol . The Chinese dragon has very different connotations to European dragon -- in European cultures , the dragon is a fire - breathing creature with aggressive connotations , whereas the Chinese dragon is a spiritual and cultural symbol that represents prosperity and good luck , as well as a rain deity that fosters harmony . It was reported that the Chinese government decided against using the dragon as its official 2008 Summer Olympics mascot because of the aggressive connotations that dragons have outside of China , and chose more `` friendly '' symbols instead . Sometimes Chinese people use the term `` Descendants of the Dragon '' ( simplified Chinese : 龙 的 传 人 ; traditional Chinese : 龍 的 傳 人 ) as a sign of ethnic identity , as part of a trend started in the 1970s when different Asian nationalities were looking for animal symbols as representations , for example , the wolf may be used by the Mongols as it is considered to be their legendary ancestor . Chinese metal dragon half frontal view , holding a pearl in his paws . It is a taboo to disfigure a depiction of a dragon . State symbol ( edit ) Flag of the Qing dynasty , 1889 -- 1912 Chinese dragon was one of the supporters of the colonial Emblem of Hong Kong until 1997 The dragon was the symbol of the Chinese emperor for many dynasties . During the Qing dynasty , the Azure Dragon was featured on the first Chinese national flag . It featured shortly again on the Twelve Symbols national emblem , which was used during the Republic of China , from 1913 to 1928 . State emblem of Republic of China , 1913 -- 1928 Dragon worship ( edit ) Main article : Longshen Origin ( edit ) The ancient Chinese self - identified as `` the descendants of the dragon '' because the Chinese dragon is an imagined reptile that represents evolution from the ancestors and qi energy . The presence of dragons within Chinese culture dates back several thousands of years with the discovery of a dragon statue dating back to the fifth millennium BC from the Yangshao culture in Henan in 1987 , and jade badges of rank in coiled form have been excavated from the Hongshan culture circa 4700 - 2900 BC . Some of the earliest Dragon artifacts are the pig dragon carvings from the Hongshan culture . The coiled dragon or snake form played an important role in early Chinese culture . The character for `` dragon '' in the earliest Chinese writing has a similar coiled form , as do later jade dragon amulets from the Shang period . Ancient Chinese referred to unearthed dinosaur bones as dragon bones and documented them as such . For example , Chang Qu in 300 BC documents the discovery of `` dragon bones '' in Sichuan . The modern Chinese word for dinosaur is konglong ( 恐龍 / 恐龙 , literally translated as `` terror dragon '' ) , and villagers in central China have long unearthed fossilized `` dragon bones '' for use in traditional medicines , a practice that continues today . The binomial name for a variety of dinosaurs discovered in China , Mei long , in Chinese ( 寐 mèi and 龙 lóng ) means `` sleeping dragon . '' Fossilized remains of Mei long have been found in China in a sleeping and coiled form , with the dinosaur nestling its snout beneath one of its forelimbs while encircling its tail around its entire body . The C - shaped jade totem of Hongshan culture ( c. 4700 -- 2920 B.C. ) Jade - carved dragon garment ornament from the Warring States period ( 403 BC -- 221 BC ) . Gilded - bronze handle in the shape of a dragon head and neck , made during the Eastern Han period ( 25 -- 220 AD ) Mythical creature ( edit ) Mural depicting a dragon , from the Dahuting Tomb ( Chinese : 打 虎 亭 汉 墓 , Pinyin : Dahuting Han mu ) of the late Eastern Han Dynasty ( 25 -- 220 AD ) , located in Zhengzhou , Henan province , China Dragons chasing flaming pearl , Qing dynasty From its origins as totems or the stylized depiction of natural creatures , the Chinese dragon evolved to become a mythical animal . The Han dynasty scholar Wang Fu recorded Chinese myths that long dragons had nine anatomical resemblances . The people paint the dragon 's shape with a horse 's head and a snake 's tail . Further , there are expressions as ' three joints ' and ' nine resemblances ' ( of the dragon ) , to wit : from head to shoulder , from shoulder to breast , from breast to tail . These are the joints ; as to the nine resemblances , they are the following : his antlers resemble those of a stag , his head that of a camel , his eyes those of a demon , his neck that of a snake , his belly that of a clam ( shen , 蜃 ) , his scales those of a carp , his claws those of an eagle , his soles those of a tiger , his ears those of a cow . Upon his head he has a thing like a broad eminence ( a big lump ) , called ( chimu ) ( 尺 木 ) . If a dragon has no ( chimu ) , he can not ascend to the sky . Further sources give variant lists of the nine animal resemblances . Sinologist Henri Doré lists these characteristics of an authentic dragon : `` The antlers of a deer . The head of a crocodile . A demon 's eyes . The neck of a snake . A tortoise 's viscera . A hawk 's claws . The palms of a tiger . A cow 's ears . And it hears through its horns , its ears being deprived of all power of hearing . '' He notes that , `` Others state it has a rabbit 's eyes , a frog 's belly , a carp 's scales . '' The anatomy of other legendary creatures , including the chimera and manticore , is similarly amalgamated from fierce animals . Chinese dragons were considered to be physically concise . Of the 117 scales , 81 are of the yang essence ( positive ) while 36 are of the yin essence ( negative ) . Initially , the dragon was benevolent , wise , and just , but the Buddhists introduced the concept of malevolent influence among some dragons . Just as water destroys , they said , so can some dragons destroy via floods , tidal waves , and storms . They suggested that some of the worst floods were believed to have been the result of a mortal upsetting a dragon . Many pictures of East Asian dragons show a flaming pearl under their chin or in their claws . The pearl is associated with spiritual energy , wisdom , prosperity , power , immortality , thunder , or the moon . Chinese art often depicts a pair of dragons chasing or fighting over the flaming pearl . Chinese dragons are occasionally depicted with bat - like wings growing out of the front limbs , but most do not have wings , as their ability to fly ( and control rain / water , etc . ) is mystical and not seen as a result of their physical attributes . This description accords with the artistic depictions of the dragon down to the present day . The dragon has also acquired an almost unlimited range of supernatural powers . It is said to be able to disguise itself as a silkworm , or become as large as our entire universe . It can fly among the clouds or hide in water ( according to the Guanzi ) . It can form clouds , can turn into water , can change color as an ability to blend in with their surroundings , as an effective form of camouflage or glow in the dark ( according to the Shuowen Jiezi ) . In many other countries , folktales speak of the dragon having all the attributes of the other 11 creatures of the zodiac , this includes the whiskers of the Rat , the face and horns of the Ox , the claws and teeth of the Tiger , the belly of the Rabbit , the body of the Snake , the legs of the Horse , the goatee of the Goat , the wit ( or brain ) of the Monkey , the crest of the Rooster , the ears of the Dog and the snout of the Pig . In some circles , it is considered bad luck to depict a dragon facing downwards , as it is seen as disrespectful to place a dragon in such manner that it can not ascend to the sky . Also , depictions of dragons in tattoos are prevalent as they are symbols of strength and power , especially criminal organisations where dragons hold a meaning all on their own . As such , it is believed that one must be fierce and strong enough , hence earning the right to wear the dragon on his skin , lest his luck be consumed by the dragons . Ruler of weather and water ( edit ) A dragon seen floating among clouds , on a golden canteen made during the 15th century , Ming dynasty Chinese dragons are strongly associated with water and weather in popular religion . They are believed to be the rulers of moving bodies of water , such as waterfalls , rivers , or seas . The Dragon God is the dispenser of rain as well as the zoomorphic representation of the yang masculine power of generation . In this capacity as the rulers of water and weather , the dragon is more anthropomorphic in form , often depicted as a humanoid , dressed in a king 's costume , but with a dragon head wearing a king 's headdress . There are four major Dragon Kings , representing each of the Four Seas : the East Sea ( corresponding to the East China Sea ) , the South Sea ( corresponding to the South China Sea ) , the West Sea ( sometimes seen as the Qinghai Lake and beyond ) , and the North Sea ( sometimes seen as Lake Baikal ) . Because of this association , they are seen as `` in charge '' of water - related weather phenomena . In premodern times , many Chinese villages ( especially those close to rivers and seas ) had temples dedicated to their local `` dragon king '' . In times of drought or flooding , it was customary for the local gentry and government officials to lead the community in offering sacrifices and conducting other religious rites to appease the dragon , either to ask for rain or a cessation thereof . The King of Wuyue in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was often known as the `` Dragon King '' or the `` Sea Dragon King '' because of his extensive hydro - engineering schemes which `` tamed '' the sea . Symbol of imperial authority ( edit ) Main article : Yellow Dragon An imperial robe from the Qing Dynasty According to Chinese legend , both Chinese primogenitors , the earliest Door and the Yellow Emperor ( Huangdi ) , were closely related to ' Long ' ( Chinese dragon ) . At the end of his reign , the first legendary ruler , the Yellow Emperor , was said to have been immortalized into a dragon that resembled his emblem , and ascended to Heaven . The other legendary ruler , the Yan Emperor , was born by his mother 's telepathy with a mythical dragon . Since the Chinese consider the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor as their ancestors , they sometimes refer to themselves as `` the descendants of the dragon '' . This legend also contributed towards the use of the Chinese dragon as a symbol of imperial power . Dragons ( usually with five claws on each foot ) were a symbol for the emperor in many Chinese dynasties . During the Qing dynasty , the imperial dragon was colored yellow or gold , and during the Ming dynasty it was red . The imperial throne was referred to as the Dragon Throne . During the late Qing dynasty , the dragon was even adopted as the national flag . Dragons are featured in carvings on the stairs and walkways of imperial palaces and imperial tombs , such as at the Forbidden City in Beijing . In some Chinese legends , an emperor might be born with a birthmark in the shape of a dragon . For example , one legend tells the tale of a peasant born with a dragon birthmark who eventually overthrows the existing dynasty and founds a new one ; another legend might tell of the prince in hiding from his enemies who is identified by his dragon birthmark . In contrast , the Empress of China was often identified with the Chinese phoenix . Modern belief ( edit ) Worship of the Dragon God is celebrated throughout China with sacrifices and processions during the fifth and sixth moons , and especially on the date of his birthday the thirteenth day of the sixth moon . A folk religious movement of associations of good - doing in modern Hebei is primarily devoted to a generic Dragon God whose icon is a tablet with his name inscribed , for which it has been named the `` movement of the Dragon Tablet '' . Depictions of the dragon ( edit ) An ancient seal script form of the character for `` dragon '' that is now written 龍 or 龙 and pronounced lóng in Mandarin Chinese . Neolithic depictions ( edit ) Symbols of dragons were placed in tombs as means to get to heaven . The Walters Art Museum . Dragons or dragon - like depictions have been found extensively in neolithic - period archaeological sites throughout China . The earliest depiction of dragons was found at Xinglongwa culture sites . Yangshao culture sites in Xi'an have produced clay pots with dragon motifs . A burial site Xishuipo in Puyang which is associated with the Yangshao culture shows a large dragon mosaic made out of clam shells . The Liangzhu culture also produced dragon - like patterns . The Hongshan culture sites in present - day Inner Mongolia produced jade dragon objects in the form of pig dragons which are the first 3 - dimensional representations of Chinese dragons . One such early form was the pig dragon . It is a coiled , elongated creature with a head resembling a boar . The character for `` dragon '' in the earliest Chinese writing has a similar coiled form , as do later jade dragon amulets from the Shang dynasty . Classical depictions ( edit ) Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol Naga emerging from mouth of Makara Chinese literature and myths refer to many dragons besides the famous long . The linguist Michael Carr analyzed over 100 ancient dragon names attested in Chinese classic texts . Many such Chinese names derive from the suffix - long : Tianlong ( Chinese : 天龍 ; pinyin : tiānlóng ; Wade -- Giles : t'ien - lung ; literally : `` heavenly dragon '' ) , celestial dragon that guards heavenly palaces and pulls divine chariots ; also a name for the constellation Draco Shenlong ( Chinese : 神龍 ; pinyin : shénlóng ; Wade -- Giles : shen - lung ; literally : `` god dragon '' ) , thunder god that controls the weather , appearance of a human head , dragon 's body , and drum - like stomach Fucanglong ( Chinese : 伏 藏 龍 ; pinyin : fúcánglóng ; Wade -- Giles : fu - ts'ang - lung ; literally : `` hidden treasure dragon '' ) , underworld guardian of precious metals and jewels , associated with volcanoes Dilong ( Chinese : 地 龍 ; pinyin : dìlóng ; Wade -- Giles : ti - lung ; literally : `` earth dragon '' ) , controller of rivers and seas ; also a name for earthworm Yinglong ( Chinese : 應龍 ; pinyin : yìnglóng ; Wade -- Giles : ying - lung ; literally : `` responding dragon '' ) , winged dragon associated with rains and floods , used by Yellow Emperor to kill Chi You Jiaolong ( Chinese : 蛟龍 ; pinyin : jiāolóng ; Wade -- Giles : chiao - lung ; literally : `` crocodile dragon '' ) , hornless or scaled dragon , leader of all aquatic animals Panlong ( Chinese : 蟠 龍 ; pinyin : pánlóng ; Wade -- Giles : p'an - lung ; literally : `` coiled dragon '' ) , lake dragon that has not ascended to heaven Huanglong ( Chinese : 黃龍 ; pinyin : huánglóng ; Wade -- Giles : huang - lung ; literally : `` yellow dragon '' ) , hornless dragon symbolizing the emperor Feilong ( Chinese : 飛龍 ; pinyin : fēilóng ; Wade -- Giles : fei - lung ; literally : `` flying dragon '' ) , winged dragon that rides on clouds and mist ; also a name for a genus of pterosaur ( compare Feilong kick and Fei Long character ) Qinglong ( Chinese : 青龍 ; pinyin : qīnglóng ; Wade -- Giles : ch'ing - lung ; literally : `` Azure Dragon '' ) , the animal associated with the East in the Chinese Four Symbols , mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations Qiulong ( Chinese : 虯龍 ; pinyin : qíulóng ; Wade -- Giles : ch'iu - lung ; literally : `` curling dragon '' ) , contradictorily defined as both `` horned dragon '' and `` hornless dragon '' Zhulong ( Chinese : 燭 龍 ; pinyin : zhúlóng ; Wade -- Giles : chu - lung ; literally : `` torch dragon '' ) or Zhuyin ( Chinese : 燭 陰 ; pinyin : zhúyīn ; Wade -- Giles : chu - yin ; literally : `` illuminating darkness '' ) was a giant red draconic solar deity in Chinese mythology . It supposedly had a human 's face and snake 's body , created day and night by opening and closing its eyes , and created seasonal winds by breathing . ( Note that this zhulong is different from the similarly named Vermilion Dragon or the Pig dragon ) . Chilong ( Chinese : 螭 龍 or 魑 龍 ; pinyin : chīlóng ; Wade -- Giles : ch'ih - lung ; literally : `` demon dragon '' ) , a hornless dragon or mountain demon Fewer Chinese dragon names derive from the prefix long - : Longwang ( Chinese : 龍王 ; pinyin : lóngwáng ; Wade -- Giles : lung - wang ; literally : `` Dragon Kings '' ) divine rulers of the Four Seas Longma ( Chinese : 龍馬 ; pinyin : lóngmǎ ; Wade -- Giles : lung - ma ; literally : `` dragon horse '' ) , emerged from the Luo River and revealed ba gua to Fu Xi Some additional Chinese dragons are not named with long 龍 , for instance , Hong ( Chinese : 虹 ; pinyin : hóng ; Wade -- Giles : hung ; literally : `` rainbow '' ) , a two - headed dragon or rainbow serpent Shen ( Chinese : 蜃 ; pinyin : shèn ; Wade -- Giles : shen ; literally : `` giant clam '' ) , a shapeshifting dragon or sea monster believed to create mirages Bashe ( Chinese : 巴 蛇 ; pinyin : bāshé ; Wade -- Giles : pa - she ; literally : `` ba snake '' ) was a giant python - like dragon that ate elephants Teng ( Chinese : 螣 ; pinyin : téng ; Wade -- Giles : t'eng ) or Tengshe ( simplified Chinese : 腾 蛇 ; traditional Chinese : 騰 蛇 ; pinyin : téngshé ; Wade -- Giles : t'eng - she ; lit . `` soaring snake '' ) is a flying dragon without legs Chinese scholars have classified dragons in diverse systems . For instance , Emperor Huizong of the Song dynasty canonized five colored dragons as `` kings '' . The Azure Dragon ( Qinglong 青龍 ) spirits , most compassionate kings . The Vermilion Dragon ( Zhulong 朱 龍 or Chilong 赤 龍 ) spirits , kings that bestow blessings on lakes . The Yellow Dragon ( Huanglong 黃龍 ) spirits , kings that favorably hear all petitions . The White Dragon ( Bailong 白 龍 ) spirits , virtuous and pure kings . The Black Dragon ( Xuanlong 玄 龍 or Heilong 黑龍 ) spirits , kings dwelling in the depths of the mystic waters . With the addition of the Yellow Dragon of the Center to Azure Dragon of the East , these Vermilion , White , and Black Dragons coordinate with the Four Symbols , including the Vermilion Bird of the South , White Tiger of the West , and Black Tortoise of the North . Nine sons of the dragon ( edit ) Main article : Nine sons of the dragon Pulao in Changchun Temple , Wuhan Qianlong era bixi near Marco Polo Bridge , Beijing Several Ming dynasty texts list what were claimed as the Nine Offspring of the Dragon ( 龍生 九 子 ) , and subsequently these feature prominently in popular Chinese stories and writings . The scholar Xie Zhaozhe ( 謝肇淛 , 1567 -- 1624 ) in his work Wu Za Zu ( 五 雜 俎 , c. 1592 ) gives the following listing , as rendered by M.W. de Visser : A well - known work of the end of the sixteenth century , the Wuzazu 五 雜 俎 , informs us about the nine different young of the dragon , whose shapes are used as ornaments according to their nature . The ( pulao 蒲 牢 ) , dragons which like to cry , are represented on the tops of bells , serving as handles . The ( qiuniu 囚 牛 ) , which like music , are used to adorn musical instruments . The ( chiwen 螭 吻 / 鴟吻 ) , which like swallowing , are placed on both ends of the ridgepoles of roofs ( to swallow all evil influences ) . The ( chaofeng 嘲 風 ) , lion - like beasts which like precipices , are placed on the four corners of roofs . The ( yazi 睚眦 / 睚眥 ) , which like to kill , are engraved on sword guards . The ( bixi 贔 屭 ) , which have the shape of the ( chilong 螭 龍 ) , and are fond of literature , are represented on the sides of grave - monuments . The ( bi'an 狴 犴 ) , which like litigation , are placed over prison gates ( in order to keep guard ) . The ( suanni 狻 猊 ) , which like to sit down , are represented upon the bases of Buddhist idols ( under the Buddhas ' or Bodhisattvas ' feet ) . The ( baxia 𧈢 𧏡 ) , finally , big tortoises which like to carry heavy objects , are placed under grave - monuments . Further , the same author enumerates nine other kinds of dragons , which are represented as ornaments of different objects or buildings according to their liking prisons , water , the rank smell of newly caught fish or newly killed meat , wind and rain , ornaments , smoke , shutting the mouth ( used for adorning key - holes ) , standing on steep places ( placed on roofs ) , and fire . The Sheng'an waiji ( 升 庵 外 集 ) collection by the poet Yang Shen ( 楊慎 , 1488 -- 1559 ) gives different 5th and 9th names for the dragon 's nine children : the taotie ( 饕餮 ) , which loves to eat and is found on food - related wares , and the jiaotu ( 椒 圖 ) , which looks like a conch or clam , does not like to be disturbed , and is used on the front door or the doorstep . Yang 's list is bixi , chiwen or cháofēng , pulao , bi'an , taotie , qiuniu , yazi , suanni , and jiaotu . Oldest known attestation of the `` children of the dragon '' list is found in the Shuyuan Zaji ( 椒 园 杂记 , Miscellaneous records from the bean garden ) by Lu Rong ( 1436 -- 1494 ) ; however , he noted that the list enumerates mere synonyms of various antiques , not children of a dragon . The nine sons of the dragon were commemorated by the Shanghai Mint in 2012 's year of the dragon with two sets of coins , one in silver , and one in brass . Each coin in the sets depicts one of the 9 sons , including an additional coin for the father dragon , which depicts the nine sons on the reverse . Dragon claws ( edit ) Reverse of bronze mirror , 8th century , Tang dynasty , showing a dragon with three toes on each foot The early Chinese dragons can be depicted with two to five claws . Different countries that adopted the Chinese dragon have different preferences ; in Mongolia and Korea , the four - clawed dragons are used , while in Japanese dragon three - clawed dragons are common . By the Yuan dynasty , the five - clawed dragons became reserved for use by the emperor while the princes used four - clawed dragons . The usage of the dragon motif was codified during the Yuan dynasty , and phoenixes and five - clawed two - horned dragons may not be used on the robes of officials and other objects such as plates and vessels . It was further stipulated that for commoners , `` it is forbidden to wear any cloth with patterns of Qilin , Male Fenghuang ( Chinese phoenix ) , White rabbit , Lingzhi , Five - Toe Two - Horn Dragon , Eight Dragons , Nine Dragons , ' Ten thousand years ' , Fortune - longevity character and Golden Yellow etc . '' The Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty emulated the Yuan dynasty rules on the use of the dragon motif and decreed that the dragon would be his emblem and that it would have five claws . The four - clawed dragon would become typically for imperial nobility and certain high - ranking officials . 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 . The convention was carried into the Qing dynasty , and portraits of the Qing emperors were usually depicted with five - clawed dragons . In works of art that left the imperial collection , either as gifts or through pilfering by court eunuchs ( a long - standing problem ) where practicable one claw was removed from each set , as in several pieces of carved lacquerware , for example the well known Chinese lacquerware table in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London . Cultural references ( edit ) Number nine ( edit ) A close up view of one full dragon ( and the tail end and claw of another ) from the Nine Dragons handscroll painted in AD 1244 by Chen Rong , an artist of the Song Dynasty The number nine is special in China as it is seen as number of the heaven , and Chinese dragons are frequently connected with it . For example , a Chinese dragon is normally described in terms of nine attributes and usually has 117 ( 9x13 ) scales -- 81 ( 9x9 ) Yang and 36 ( 9x4 ) Yin . This is also why there are nine forms of the dragon and there are 9 sons of the dragon ( see Classical depictions above ) . The Nine - Dragon Wall is a spirit wall with images of nine different dragons , and is found in imperial Chinese palaces and gardens . Because nine was considered the number of the emperor , only the most senior officials were allowed to wear nine dragons on their robes -- and then only with the robe completely covered with surcoats . Lower - ranking officials had eight or five dragons on their robes , again covered with surcoats ; even the emperor himself wore his dragon robe with one of its nine dragons hidden from view . There are a number of places in China called `` Nine Dragons '' , the most famous being Kowloon ( in Cantonese ) in Hong Kong . The part of the Mekong in Vietnam is known as Cửu Long , with the same meaning . Chinese zodiac ( edit ) Main article : Dragon ( zodiac ) The Dragon is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac which is used to designate years in the Chinese calendar . It is thought that each animal is associated with certain personality traits . Dragon years are usually the most popular to have children . There are more people born in Dragon years than in any other animal years of the zodiac . Constellations ( edit ) See also : Five elements ( Chinese philosophy ) The Azure Dragon ( Qing Long , 青龍 ) is considered to be the primary of the four celestial guardians , the other three being the Zhu Que -- 朱雀 ( Vermilion Bird ) , Bai Hu -- 白虎 ( White Tiger ) , Xuan Wu -- 玄武 ( Black Tortoise - like creature ) . In this context , the Azure Dragon is associated with the East and the element of Wood . Dragonboat racing ( edit ) Main article : Dragon boat At special festivals , especially the Duanwu Festival , dragon boat races are an important part of festivities . Typically , these are boats paddled by a team of up to 20 paddlers with a drummer and steersman . The boats have a carved dragon as the head and tail of the boat . Dragon boat racing is also an important part of celebrations outside of China , such as at Chinese New Year . A similar racing is popular in India in the state of Kerala called Vallamkali and there are records on Chinese traders visiting the seashores of Kerala centuries back ( Ibn Batuta ) . Detail of an embroidered silk gauze ritual garment from a 4th - century BC Zhou era tomb at Mashan , Hubei province , China . The flowing , curvilinear design incorporates dragons , phoenixes , and tigers . Dragon dancing ( edit ) Main article : Dragon dance On auspicious occasions , including Chinese New Year and the opening of shops and residences , festivities often include dancing with dragon puppets . These are `` life sized '' cloth - and - wood puppets manipulated by a team of people , supporting the dragon with poles . They perform choreographed moves to the accompaniment of drums , drama , and music . They also wore good clothing made of silk . Dragons and nāgas ( edit ) In many Buddhist countries , the concept of the nāga has been merged with local traditions of great and wise serpents or dragons , as depicted in this stairway image of a multi-headed nāga emerging from the mouth of a Makara in the style of a Chinese dragon at Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol on the premises of Wat Pha Namthip Thep Prasit Vararam in Thailand 's Roi Et Province Nong Phok District . ' Dragon 's - Claw Elm ' , Fengtai , 1908 Dragons and tigers ( edit ) The tiger is considered to be the eternal rival to the dragon , thus various artworks depict a dragon and tiger fighting an epic battle . A well used Chinese idiom to describe equal rivals ( often in sports nowadays ) is `` Dragon versus Tiger '' . In Chinese martial arts , `` Dragon style '' is used to describe styles of fighting based more on understanding movement , while `` Tiger style '' is based on brute strength and memorization of techniques . Dragons and botany ( edit ) The elm cultivar Ulmus pumila ' Pendula ' , from northern China , called ' Weeping Chinese Elm ' in the West , is known locally as Lung chao yü shu ( : ' Dragon 's - claw elm ' ) owing to its branching . In popular culture ( edit ) As a part of traditional folklore , dragons appear in a variety of mythological fiction . In the classical novel Journey to the West , the son of the Dragon King of the West was condemned to serve as a horse for the travelers because of his indiscretions at a party in the heavenly court . Sun Wukong 's staff , the Ruyi Jingu Bang , was robbed from Ao Guang , the Dragon King of the East Sea . In Fengshen Yanyi and other stories , Nezha , the boy hero , defeats the Dragon Kings and tames the seas . Chinese dragons also appear in innumerable Japanese anime movies and television shows , manga , and in Western political cartoons as a personification of the People 's Republic of China . The Chinese respect for dragons is emphasized in Naomi Novik 's Temeraire novels , where they were the first people to tame dragons and are treated as equals , intellectuals , or even royalty , rather than beasts solely bred for war in the West . Manda is a large Chinese dragon that appears in the Godzilla storyline . A golden three - headed dragon also appears in the comic book series God Is Dead . Red dragon is a symbol of China which appears in many Mahjong games . A Chinese Water - Dragon is used as the main antagonist in Season 3 of the Australian television series Mako Mermaids . The Dragon is heavily based on Chinese mythology to coincide with a new Chinese mermaid on the show . In The Lego Ninjago Movie , Lloyd , the green ninja , has a robotic Chinese dragon as his main vehicle . Regional variations across asia ( edit ) While depictions of the dragon in art and literature are consistent throughout the cultures in which it is found , there are some regional differences . For more information on peculiarities in the depiction of the dragon in other Asian cultures , see : Dragons related to the Chinese dragon : Druk , the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology Japanese dragon Korean dragon Nāga , a Hindu and Buddhist creature in South Asian and Southeast Asian mythology . Vietnamese dragon Dragons similar to the Chinese dragon : Makara , a sea Dragon in Hindu and Buddhist mythology Yaazhi , a South Indian or Tamil mythical creature Nepalese dragon as depicted with Bahirav Bakunawa , a moon - eating sea dragon depicted in Philippine mythology . Gallery ( edit ) Non-Imperial Chinese dragon in Shanghai Nine - Dragon Wall , Datong ( detail ) Mini-Sculpture of a Dragon on top of a temple in Hsinchu , Taiwan Giant dragon statues surrounded by the sea at Sanggar Agung Temple , Surabaya , Indonesia The Chinese dragon statue at Vihara Dharmayana Kuta , Bali See also ( edit ) An Instinct for Dragons , hypothesis about the origin of dragon myths . Chinese mythology Fish in Chinese mythology List of dragons in mythology and folklore Long Mu ( Dragon 's Mother ) Radical 212 Snakes in Chinese mythology , mostly about less dragon - like types China Dragon - hockey team playing in the Asia League Ice Hockey References ( edit ) Citations ( edit ) Jump up ^ Ingersoll , Ernest ; et al. ( 2013 ) . The Illustrated Book of Dragons and Dragon Lore . Chiang Mai : Cognoscenti Books . ^ Jump up to : Dikötter , Frank ( 10 November 1997 ) . The Construction of Racial Identities in China and Japan . C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd . pp. 76 -- 77 . ISBN 978 - 1850652878 . Jump up ^ `` Imperial Dragons '' . Kyoto National Museum . ^ Jump up to : Linda Komaroff ( ed . ) . Beyond the Legacy of Genghis Khan . Brill Academic Publishers . p. 320 . ISBN 9789047418573 . ^ Jump up to : Sleeboom , Margaret . ( 2004 ) ( 2004 ) . Academic Nations in China and Japan Framed in concepts of Nature , Culture and the Universal . Routledge publishing . ISBN 0 - 415 - 31545 - X Jump up ^ `` Brand Overview '' , Brand Hong Kong , 09 - 2004 retrieved on 23 - 02 - 2007 . Archived December 23 , 2008 , at the Wayback Machine . Jump up ^ `` Fiery Debate Over China 's Dragon '' , BBC News , an article covering China 's decision not to use a dragon mascot and the resulting disappointment . Jump up ^ `` The Mongolian Message '' . Jump up ^ Dr Zai , J. Taoism and Science : Cosmology , Evolution , Morality , Health and more . Ultravisum , 2015 . Jump up ^ Howard Giskin and Bettye S. Walsh ( 2001 ) . An introduction to Chinese culture through the family . State University of New York Press . p. 126 . ISBN 0 - 7914 - 5047 - 3 . Jump up ^ `` Teaching Chinese Archeology '' Archived 2008 - 02 - 11 at the Wayback Machine. , National Gallery of Art , Washington , D.C. Jump up ^ Salviati , Filippo ( 2002 ) . The Language of Adornment : Chinese Ornaments of Jade , Crystal , Amber and Glass , Fig. 17 . Ten Speed Press . ISBN 1 - 58008 - 587 - 3 . Jump up ^ Dong Zhiming ( 1992 ) . Dinosaurian Faunas of China . China Ocean Press , Beijing . ISBN 3 - 540 - 52084 - 8 . OCLC 26522845 . Jump up ^ `` Dinosaur bones ' used as medicine ' '' . BBC News . 2007 - 07 - 06 . Retrieved 2007 - 07 - 06 . Jump up ^ Xu and Norell , ( 2004 ) . `` A new troodontid dinosaur from China with avian - like sleeping posture '' . Nature , 431 ( 7010 ) : 838 - 841 . doi : 10.1038 / news041011 - 7 Jump up ^ de Visser , Marinus Willem ( 1913 ) . `` The Dragon in China and Japan '' . Verhandelingen der Koninklijke akademie van wetenschappen te Amsterdam . Afdeeling Letterkunde . Nieuwe reeks , deel xiii , no . 2 . Amsterdam : Johannes Müller : 70 . ( Also available at University of Georgia Library Archived 2016 - 12 - 25 at the Wayback Machine . ) Jump up ^ Doré , Henri . 1917 . Researches into Chinese Superstitions . M. Kennelly , D.J. Finn , and L.F. McGreat , trs . T'usewei . Ch'eng - wen reprint 1966 , 681 . ^ Jump up to : Tom ( 1989 ) , p. 55 . Jump up ^ Hayes , L. ( 1923 ) . The Chinese Dragon . Shanghai , China : Commercial Press Ltd . Retrieved from https://archive.org/stream/chinesedragon00hayeuoft#page/n7/mode/2up Jump up ^ Zhiya Hua . Dragon 's Name : A Folk Religion in a Village in South - Central Hebei Province . Shanghai People 's Publishing House , 2013 . ISBN 7208113297 Jump up ^ `` Chinese Dragon '' . The Walters Art Museum . Jump up ^ Hung - Sying Jing ; Allen Batteau ( 2016 ) . The Dragon in the Cockpit : How Western Aviation Concepts Conflict with Chinese Value Systems . Routledge . p. 83 . ISBN 9781317035299 . Jump up ^ John Onians ( 26 April 2004 ) . Atlas of World Art . Laurence King Publishing . p. 46 . ISBN 978 - 1856693776 . Jump up ^ `` Jade coiled dragon , Hongshan Culture ( c. 4700 - 2920 B.C. ) '' Archived 2007 - 03 - 13 at the Wayback Machine. , National Gallery of Art , Washington , D.C. Retrieved on 23 - 02 - 2007 . Jump up ^ Carr , Michael . 1990 . `` Chinese Dragon Names '' , Linguistics of the Tibeto - Burman Area 13.2 : 87 - 189 . He classified them into seven categories : Rain - dragons , Flying - dragons , Snake - dragons , Wug - dragons ( wug refers to `` worms , bugs , and small reptiles '' ) , Crocodile - dragons , Hill - dragons , and Miscellaneous dragons . Jump up ^ Adapted from Doré 682 . Jump up ^ de Visser 1913 , pp. 101 -- 102 . The primary source is Wu Za Zu , chapter 9 , beginning with `` 龍生 九 子 ... '' . The title of Xie Zhaozhe 's work , Wu Za Zu , has been variously translated into English as Five Assorted Offerings ( in Xie Zhaozhe ) , Five Sundry Bands ( in `` Disease and Its Impact on Politics , Diplomacy , and the Military ... '' ) or Five Miscellanies ( in Changing clothes in China : fashion , history , nation , p. 48 ) . Jump up ^ 吾 三省 ( Wu Sansheng ) ( 2006 ) . 中國 文化 背景 八 千 詞 ( Eight thousand words and expressions viewed against the background of Chinese culture ) ( in Chinese ) . 商務 印 書館 ( 香港 ) ( Commercial Press , Hong Kong ) . p. 345 . ISBN 962 - 07 - 1846 - 1 . Jump up ^ 九 、 龙 的 繁衍 与 附会 -- -- 龙 生 九 子 ( 1 ) ( `` Chapter 9 , Dragon 's derived and associated creatures : Nine children of the dragon ( 1 ) '' ) , in Yang Jingrong and Liu Zhixiong ( 2008 ) . The full text of Shuyuan Zaji , from which Yang and Liu quote , is available in electronic format at a number of sites , e.g. here : 菽 園 雜記 Archived 2010 - 03 - 06 at the Wayback Machine . Jump up ^ CCT4243 : 2012 lunar dragon nine sons of the dragon 20 coin set Jump up ^ `` Famous Japanese Dragons '' . Jump up ^ `` 《 志 第 二 十 八 輿 服 一 》 '' . The History of Yuan . Jump up ^ `` 《 本紀 第 三 十 九 順帝 二 》 '' . The History of Yuan , Emperor Shundi ( 元史 順帝 紀 ) , compiled under Song Lian ( 宋濂 ) , AD 1370 . 禁 服 麒麟 、 鸞鳳 、 白 兔 、 靈芝 、 雙 角 五 爪 龍 、 八龍 、 九龍 、 萬 壽 、 福 壽 字 、 赭 黃 等 服 Jump up ^ Rawson , Jessica ( ed ) . The British Museum Book of Chinese Art , p. 177 , 2007 ( 2nd edn ) , British Museum Press , ISBN 9780714124469 Jump up ^ Clunas , Craig and Harrison - Hall , Jessica , Ming : 50 years that changed China , p. 107 , 2014 , British Museum Press , ISBN 9780714124841 Jump up ^ U. pumila ' Pendula ' , ' Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported ... April -- June 1915 ' ( March 1918 ) , ars-grin.gov/npgs/pi_books/scans/pi043.pdf Jump up ^ U. pumila ' Pendula ' , `` 中国 自然 标本 馆 '' . Cfh.ac.cn . Retrieved 2013 - 08 - 30 . Sources ( edit ) Nikaido , Yoshihiro ( 2015 ) . Asian Folk Religion and Cultural Interaction . Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht . ISBN 3847004859 . Overmyer , Daniel L. ( 2009 ) . Local Religion in North China in the Twentieth Century : The Structure and Organization of Community Rituals and Beliefs . Brill . ISBN 900417592X . Tom , K.S. ( 1989 ) . Echoes from Old China : Life , Legends , and Lore of the Middle Kingdom . University of Hawaii Press . ISBN 0824812859 . External links ( edit ) Media related to Chinese dragon at Wikimedia Commons Wikiquote has quotations related to : Chinese dragon Chinese mythology Overview topics Creation myth Godly world concepts Astrology Dragons Shenmo fiction Gods and immortals Tian Pangu Ghosts Major personages Deities Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Eight Immortals Shennong Yellow Emperor Yan Emperor Chiyou Hou Yi Kua Fu Creatures Black Tortoise Azure Dragon White Tiger Vermilion Bird Qilin Fenghuang Huli jing Chinese guardian lions Pixiu ( Bixie ) Nian Fox spirit Four Perils Places Fusang Penglai Diyu Kunlun Mountain Youdu Popular literary works Classic of Mountains and Seas Shi Yi Ji The Peach Blossom Spring The Four Journeys Investiture of the Gods Legend of the White Snake The Sorcerer 's Revolt Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio Journey to the West In Search of the Supernatural Tian Xian Pei What the Master Would Not Discuss Heavenly Questions ( Chu Ci ) Dragons Appearances in mythology European Ajatar Amphiptere Balaur Bisterne Dragon Blue Ben Bolla Chuvash dragon Cockatrice Cuélebre Gargouille Greek Dragon Cychreides Delphyne Lernaean Hydra Ladon Pyrausta Python Guivre Knucker Herensuge Jaculus La Guita Xica Lambton Worm Worm of Linton Lindworm Marraco Dragon of Mordiford Norse dragon Fafnir Jörmungandr Níðhöggr Oilliphéist Peluda Slavic dragon Sockburn Worm Sugaar Tugarin Wawel Dragon Welsh Dragon White dragon Wyvern Yelbeghen Zilant Zirnitra Asian Apalala Bakunawa Bašmu Chinese dragon Ao Guang Azure Dragon Chi Dilong Feilian Feilong Fucanglong Hong Jiaolong Panlong Pulao Qiulong Shenlong Teng Tianlong Yellow Dragon Yinglong Zhulong Druk Illuyanka Japanese dragon Kiyohime Kuraokami Kuzuryū Mizuchi Ryūjin Toyotama - hime Wani Watatsumi Yamata no Orochi Zennyo Ryūō Korean dragon Kur Labbu Lahamu Leviathan Lotan Pakhangba Phaya Naga Seraphim Tanin'iver Tannin ( monster ) Tiamat Vietnamese dragon Vishap Vritra Yam Zahhak Other Amaru Feathered Serpent Gaasyendietha Horned Serpent Nyami Nyami Ouroboros Peuchen Piasa Quetzalcoatl Rahab ( Egypt ) Sea serpent Snallygaster Teju Jagua Xiuhcoatl Appearances in culture Mythology and folklore Draco ( constellation ) Dragon dance Dragon boat Dragon ( zodiac ) Dragonslayers Princess and dragon Appearances in fiction Popular culture Film and television Games Dragons in Dungeons & Dragons Literature Dragons in J.R.R. Tolkien Legendarium Glaurung Smaug Dragons in Dragon Prince Dragons in Pern Appearances in art Nine Dragons ( painting ) Nine - Dragon Wall Dragon jar Cádiz Memorial Dragon and Tiger Pagodas Dragon boundary mark Dragon Bridge ( Da Nang ) Dragon Bridge ( Ljubljana ) Merritt Island Dragon Pegasus and Dragon Related Dragon 's Eye Here be dragons Dragon curve East Asia Countries China Hong Kong Macau Japan Korea North South Mongolia Taiwan Ethnic groups Han Joseon Mongols Yamato Culture Age reckoning Architecture  Art Blepharoplasty Buddhism Calligraphy Chopsticks Cinema Cuisine Cultural sphere Decorative knotwork Dragon Gardens Gothic typeface Han characters Hell money Hip - and - gable roof Languages Literature Mādhyamaka Music Music industry Mythology Philosophy Religion Scripts Seal Sino - Xenic pronunciations Stereotypes Surnames Yellow fever Yogācāra Zodiac Environment East Asia Climate Partnership Monsoon Rainy season Flora Politics and economics China -- Japan -- South Korea trilateral summit Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia Capitalism East Asia Summit East Asian Bureau of Economic Research East Asian Community Four Asian Tigers Human rights in East Asia Ports Stock exchanges History Archaeology Archaeological cultures Bronze Age Iron Age Former countries Sports EAFF East Asian Championship East Asian Football Federation East Asian Games East Asian Judo Championships Education Association of East Asian Research Universities CrossAsia East Asian Bureau of Economic Research East Asian Economic Review East Asia Image Collection East Asian Institute East Asia Law Review East Asian studies Journal of East Asian Studies Ludwigshafen East Asia Institute Society for Cultural Interaction in East Asia Military Horses in East Asian warfare Miyamoto Musashi Sun Tzu The Art of War The Book of Five Rings Science and technology Needham Research Institute Printing Swords Traditional medicine Culture portal China portal NDL : 00569877 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chinese_dragon&oldid=833382847 '' Categories : Dragons Asian legendary creatures Chinese culture Chinese mythology Chinese dragons Chinese legendary creatures East Asian mythology Heraldic beasts National personifications National symbols of China Hidden categories : All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from July 2014 Webarchive template wayback links CS1 Chinese - language sources ( zh ) Articles containing Chinese - language text Articles containing simplified Chinese - language text Articles containing traditional Chinese - language text All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014 Articles with unsourced statements from June 2015 Articles with unsourced statements from January 2014 Articles with unsourced statements from January 2011 Pages using div col without cols and colwidth parameters Pages using Columns - list with deprecated parameters Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages Azərbaycanca Български Català Dansk Deutsch Español فارسی Français Galego 贛 語 한국어 Հայերեն Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Magyar Bahasa Melayu Mìng - dĕ̤ng - ngṳ̄ Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Română Русский Scots Simple English Српски / srpski Svenska Tagalog தமிழ் ไทย Türkçe Українська Vahcuengh Tiếng Việt 吴语 粵語 中文 32 more Edit links This page was last edited on 31 March 2018 , at 06 : 18 . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply . By using this site , you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation , Inc. , a non-profit organization . About Wikipedia

Question: the chinese dragons are protectors of how many seas diggy


United Nations conference on sustainable development - wikipedia United Nations conference on sustainable development Jump to : navigation , search United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio + 20 , Earth Summit 2012 Date ( s ) 20 -- 22 June 2012 Begins 20 June 2012 Ends 22 June 2012 Location ( s ) Rio de Janeiro , Brazil Previous event Earth Summit 1992 , Earth Summit 2002 Website uncsd2012 The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ( UNCSD ) , also known as Rio 2012 , Rio + 20 ( Portuguese pronunciation : ( ˈʁi. u ˈmajʒ ˈvĩtʃi ) ) , or Earth Summit 2012 was the third international conference on sustainable development aimed at reconciling the economic and environmental goals of the global community . Hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro from 13 to 22 June 2012 , Rio + 20 was a 20 - year follow - up to the 1992 Earth Summit / United Nations Conference on Environment and Development ( UNCED ) held in the same city , and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development ( WSSD ) in Johannesburg . The ten - day mega-summit , which culminated in a three - day high - level UN conference , was organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and included participation from 192 UN member states -- including 57 Heads of State and 31 Heads of Government , private sector companies , NGOs and other groups . The decision to hold the conference was made by UN General Assembly Resolution A / RES / 64 / 236 on 24 December 2009 . It was intended to be a high - level conference , including heads of state and government or other representatives and resulting in a focused political document designed to shape global environmental policy . Contents ( hide ) 1 Background 2 Objectives 3 Conference themes 4 Rio + 20 4.1 Participation 5 Calendar of meetings 5.1 1st Preparatory Committee 5.2 1st Intersessional 5.3 2nd Preparatory Committee 5.4 2nd Intersessional 5.5 3rd Intersessional 5.6 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 6 Outcomes 7 Leaders in attendance 8 Controversies 8.1 Environmental and Indigenous Rights Activists 8.2 Ahmadinejad Visit to Rio 9 Participation by Civil Societies 10 ProjectEarth Network 11 See also 12 References 13 External links Background ( edit ) In 1992 , the first conference of its kind , the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development ( UNCED ) , commonly referred to as the Rio Conference or Earth Summit , succeeded in raising public awareness of the need to integrate environment and development . The conference drew 109 heads of state to Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , to address what were dubbed urgent problems of environmental protection and socio - economic development . The Earth Summit influenced subsequent UN conferences , including Rio + 20 and set the global green agenda . `` The World Conference on Human Rights , for example , focused on the right of people to a healthy environment and the right to development ; controversial demands that had met with resistance from some Member States until the Earth Summit . '' Major outcomes of the conference include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ) -- a climate - change agreement that led to the Kyoto Protocol , Agenda 21 , the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD ) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification ( UNCCD ) . It also created new international institutions , among them the Commission on Sustainable Development , tasked with the follow - up to the Rio Conference and led to the reform of the Global Environment Facility . Ten years later , Earth Summit 2002 informally nicknamed Rio + 10 was held in Johannesburg , South Africa with the goal of again bringing together leaders from government , business and NGOs to agree on a range of measures toward similar goals . At Rio + 10 , sustainable development was recognized as an overarching goal for institutions at the national , regional and international levels . There , the need to enhance the integration of sustainable development in the activities of all relevant United Nations agencies , programs and funds was highlighted . The discussion also encompassed the role of institutions in stepping up efforts to bridge the gap between the international financial institutions and the multilateral development banks and the rest of the UN system . Major outcomes of that conference include the Johannesburg Declaration and almost 300 international partnership initiatives meant to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals . Objectives ( edit ) Demonstration at Rio + 20 -- Picture shows effigy of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff with a chainsaw embracing the statue of liberty Demonstration against the President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during the conference The conference had three objectives : Securing renewed political commitment for sustainable development Assessing the progress and implementation gaps in meeting previous commitments . Addressing new and emerging challenges . Conference themes ( edit ) The official discussions had two main themes : How to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty , including support for developing countries that will allow them to find a green path for development . How to improve international coordination for sustainable development by building an institutional framework . Rio + 20 ( edit ) In the months leading up to the beginning of the conference , negotiators held frequent informal consultations at UN headquarters in New York City , and in the two weeks before the conference was scheduled to begin , they managed to reach consensus on the sensitive language in the then proposed outcome document for the summit . Billed as the biggest UN event ever organized -- with 15,000 soldiers and police guarding about 130 heads of state and government , from 192 countries , and the more than 45,000 individuals gathered in Rio de Janeiro -- the 10 - day mega-conference was intended to be a high - level international gathering organized to re-direct and renew global political commitment to the three dimensions of sustainable development : economic growth , social improvement and environmental protection ; focusing on reducing poverty while promoting jobs growth , clean energy and more fair , sustainable uses of resources ; goals first established at Earth Summit in 1992 . The conference centered around Agenda 21 , the outcome document from Earth Summit 1992 . That document was considered revolutionary in that it essentially created the term sustainable development and created the global environmental agenda for the next 20 years . The representatives of participating governments gathered in Rio to discuss what was then the draft text of the outcome document . Rio + 20 sought to secure affirmations for the political commitments made at past Earth Summits and set the global environmental agenda for the next 20 years by assessing progress towards the goals set forth in Agenda 21 and implementation gaps therein , and discussing new and emerging issues . The UN wanted Rio to endorse a UN `` green economy roadmap '' , with environmental goals , targets and deadlines , whereas developing countries preferred establishing new `` sustainable development goals '' to better protect the environment , guarantee food and power to the poorest , and alleviate poverty . Rio + 20 attracted many protests , and more than 500 parallel events , exhibitions , presentations , fairs and announcements as a wide range of diverse groups struggled to take advantage of the conference in order to gain international attention . The British online newspaper , The Guardian reported that , `` Downtown Rio de Janeiro was partly shut - down as an estimated 50,000 protesters , some of whom were naked , took to the streets . '' Participation ( edit ) A few key global leaders -- mostly G20 leaders and namely United States President Barack Obama , German Chancellor Angela Merkel , and UK Prime Minister David Cameron -- did not attend the conference and blamed their absence on the ongoing European sovereign - debt crisis . Their collective absence was seen as a reflection of their administrations ' failure to prioritize sustainability issues . `` In not attending , the prime minister is sending out a powerful signal that the UK government does not see sustainability as a priority '' , Joan Walley , chair of the UK environmental audit committee said to The Guardian . Calendar of meetings ( edit ) 1st preparatory committee ( edit ) Held from 16 -- 18 May 2010 , immediately after the conclusion of the eighteenth session and the first meeting of the nineteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development . 1st Intersessional ( edit ) Held from 10 -- 11 January 2011 at UN Headquarters , New York , the Intersessional focused on discussion of the objectives of the conference , and its two principle themes . The Intersessional -- not a negotiation session -- featured panel discussions , from academia , non-governmental organizations as well as Delegates and UN system representatives . 2nd preparatory committee ( edit ) Held from 7 -- 8 March 2011 , at United Nations Headquarters in New York , immediately following the Intergovernmental Policy Meeting for the 19th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development . 2nd Intersessional ( edit ) Held from 15 -- 16 December 2011 at United Nations Headquarters in New York . 3rd Intersessional ( edit ) Held from 5 -- 7 March 2012 at United Nations Headquarters in New York . United Nations conference on sustainable development ( edit ) The 3rd Preparatory Committee began on 13 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , and ended on 15 June 2012 , marking the start of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development . The talks were held from 20 -- 22 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil . The conference was expected to draw 50,000 participants , including delegates , environmental activists , business leaders , and indigenous groups . Additionally , about 130 heads of state from around the world were expected to be present for the final three days of the summit . Outcomes ( edit ) The primary result of the conference was the nonbinding document , `` The Future We Want , '' a 49 - page work paper . In it , the heads of state of the 192 governments in attendance renewed their political commitment to sustainable development and declared their commitment to the promotion of a sustainable future . The document largely reaffirms previous action plans like Agenda 21 . Some important outcomes include the following : `` The text includes language supporting the development of Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) , a set of measurable targets aimed at promoting sustainable development globally . It is thought that the SDGs will pick up where the Millennium Development Goals leave off and address criticism that the original Goals fail to address the role of the environment in development . '' The attempt to shore up the UN Environment Programme ( UNEP ) in order to make it the `` leading global environmental authority '' by setting forth eight key recommendations including , strengthening its governance through universal membership , increasing its financial resources and strengthening its engagement in key UN coordination bodies . Nations agreed to explore alternatives to GDP as a measure of wealth that take environmental and social factors into account in an effort to assess and pay for ' environmental services ' provided by nature , such as carbon sequestration and habitat protection . Recognition that `` fundamental changes in the way societies consume and produce are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development . '' EU officials suggest it could lead to a shift of taxes so workers pay less and polluters and landfill operators pay more . The document calls the need to return ocean stocks to sustainable levels `` urgent '' and calls on countries to develop and implement science - based management plans . All nations reaffirmed commitments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies . In addition to the outcome text , there were over 400 voluntary commitments for sustainable development made by Member States . At the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment , 40 African countries agreed to implement `` The Future We Want . '' Leaders in attendance ( edit ) World leaders in attendance at Rio + 20 This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . ( September 2012 ) Albania -- Prime Minister Sali Berisha Antigua & Barbuda -- Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer Argentina -- President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Australia -- Prime Minister Julia Gillard Bolivia -- President Evo Morales , see Bolivian government proposal Harmony with nature Brazil -- President Dilma Rousseff Bulgaria -- President Rosen Plevneliev China -- Premier Wen Jiabao Costa Rica -- President Laura Chinchilla Miranda Denmark -- Prime Minister Helle Thorning - Schmidt Ecuador -- President Rafael Correa France -- President Francois Hollande Grenada -- Prime Minister Tillman Thomas Haiti -- President Michel Martelly India -- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Indonesia -- President Susilo Yudhoyono Iran -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Lithuania -- President Dalia Grybauskaitė Nepal -- Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai Nigeria -- President Goodluck Jonathan Norway -- Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg Portugal -- Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho Russia -- President Dmitry Medvedev South Africa -- President Jacob Zuma South Korea -- President Lee Myung bak Spain -- Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Sri Lanka -- President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sweden -- Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt Turkmenistan -- President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow Uruguay -- President Jose Mujica Zimbabwe -- President Robert Mugabe among others Also present were : Carl XVI Gustaf , King of Sweden Albert II , Prince of Monaco Henri , Grand Duke of Luxembourg José Manuel Barroso , the President of the European Commission ( look at the official photo of the summit ) Controversies ( edit ) Environmental and indigenous rights activists ( edit ) Activists took initiative at Rio + 20 by staging numerous loud protests , and making their voices heard . Numbered in the thousands , these activists joined forces to stand up to what they considered exploitation and degradation of the Earth , as well as the negation of the rights of indigenous peoples . This group is ever more relevant in Brazil as deforestation threatens Amazonian ethnic groups everyday . In addition to holding signs and shouting chants , the crowds took a theatric route to convey their messages . Firstly , they poked at Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff , claiming she has given in to the global North 's corporate hand . Rousseff 's controversy has arisen over her steadfast desire to further industrialize Brazil , and its economy . Additionally , the crowds assembled for a ritual and symbolic `` tearing up '' of the plenary 's negotiated text , conveying their disapproval . Thousands of non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) gathered at the Flamengo Park in Rio . They criticized the draft negotiating text , particularly for its failure to mention planetary boundaries or nuclear energy , in light of the Fukushima disaster in Japan . Organizations , such as Greenpeace and the World Wide Fund for Nature , as well as members of indigenous communities , activists and artists participated . The Danish artist Jens Galschiøt , the leader of the group AIDOH , and the Group 92 used his Freedom to Pollute sculptures to focus on global warming and its resulting increased flow of refugees . About 20,000 flyers about Freedom to Pollute were distributed during Rio + 20 and a related television program was produced in Denmark . Ahmadinejad visit to Rio ( edit ) There was some controversy over Iran 's involvement in the Rio + 20 conference . Iran sent a delegation , which included President Ahmadinejad , to Rio in June to attend the summit . The controversy of Iranian attendance at the summit surrounds the fact that Iran has serious environmental issues , which it has refused to address , continuing human rights violations and is refusing to cooperate with the IAEA over its contentious nuclear program . Ahmadinejad was met with demonstrations , attended by thousands of people , on his arrival in Rio . The Iranian delegation were met with protesters waving banners with the slogan `` Ahmadinejad go home '' on their arrival in Rio on 20 June . Participation by Civil societies ( edit ) RIO + 20 Logo in Hindi created by CCLP Worldwide Team During RIO + 20 event and preparatory events UNCSD had given ample opportunities to various stakeholders to contribute towards Rio + 20 and Civil Societies had taken part in various sphere including organizing side events , promoting the RIO event , submitting literature and also helped the rio secretariat with translation work. The logo and promotion of RIO + 20 was available in languages used in United Nations however Civil societies took part in producing the logo image and literature in other local and National languages . Projectearth network ( edit ) Ecology and Environment Inc. , a New York based Environmental Engineering and Consultation company partnered with UNCSD to create Project Earth Network , an online platform where schools around the world could showcase their remarkable environmental projects . In coordination with the Rio + 20 event , the platform hosted a World Environment Day Global School Contest in which 7th graders at the International School of Ulaanbaatar ( ISU ) in Mongolia were declared the Global Winners for their awareness campaign on the environmental impact of plastic shopping bags , including research on plastic bag manufacturing processes , development of videos documenting plastic bag waste , and a school presentation at which reusable cloth shopping bags were sold to approximately 50 percent of the community . Sarasota , Fla. 's Brookside Middle School won in the World Environment Day contest 's North American sub-category for its mangrove propagule growth project while International School of Brussels in Belgium won the European sub-category , for their creation of a sustainable food source and composting program . The Middle - Eastern sub-category winner was Hridith Sudev , a seventh grader from Indian School Salalah in Oman for his organization , ' Project GreenWorld International ' which helped promote sustainable awareness across the region through interactive projects . Hridith Sudev later went on to become an inventor and the organization has become a global environmental presence . The World Environment Day contest followed an Earth Day `` Green Schools '' contest regionally focused toward 6th to 12th grade students in the Western New York area . The idea behind the platform was to encourage sustainability in students across the world . Despite the huge response , the platform was taken down two years later due to technical and economic constraints but has since remained as a positive legacy through the activities of students who were first recognized by the network . See also ( edit ) Earth Summit Agenda 21 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Durban III The conference opened on 22 September 2011 Planetary boundaries Sustainable Development Goals The United Nations Ocean Conference References ( edit ) ^ Jump up to : `` Rio + 20 -- United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development '' . Uncsd2012.org. 22 June 2012 . Archived from the original on 18 August 2014 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` United Nations Earth Summit + 5 '' . United Nations . 27 June 1997 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Earth_Summit '' . United Nations . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . ^ Jump up to : `` Rio + 20 -- United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development '' . Uncsd2012.org. 29 July 2011 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Agreement Reached on Weakened Outcome Text as Leaders Arrive for Rio Summit International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development '' . Ictsd.org. 31 July 2014 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Archived copy '' . Archived from the original on 25 August 2012 . Retrieved 4 August 2012 . Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Archived 24 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine . ^ Jump up to : Gerhardt , Tina ( 20 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 Kicks Off '' . The Progressive . Jump up ^ Vidal , John ( 19 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 : Earth summit dawns with stormier clouds than in 1992 '' . The Guardian . London . Jump up ^ `` Rio + 20 summit opens amid protests -- video '' . The Guardian . London . 21 June 2012 . Jump up ^ Vidal , John ( 11 June 2012 ) . `` David Cameron criticised for skipping Rio + 20 Earth summit '' . The Guardian . London . Jump up ^ `` Rio + 20 -- United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development '' . Uncsd2012.org. 22 June 2012 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Jump up ^ ( 3 ) Jump up ^ UNCSD . `` 3rd Preparatory Committee '' . Jump up ^ UNCSD ( 2012 ) . `` United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development or Rio + 20 '' . Jump up ^ Romero , Simon ( 16 May 2012 ) . `` Brazil 's Leader Faces Defining Decision on Bill Relaxing Protection of Forests '' . The New York Times . Jump up ^ `` Giant , 10 - day - long UN conference on sustainable development gets underway in Rio de Janeiro '' . The Washington Post . Associated Press . 13 June 2012 . Archived from the original on 14 June 2012 . Retrieved 13 June 2012 . ^ Jump up to : uncsd2012 ( 19 June 2012 ) . `` The Future We Want Rio + 20 Outcome Document '' . Slideshare.net . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Agreement Reached on Weakened Outcome Text as Leaders Arrive for Rio Summit International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development '' . Ictsd.org. 15 July 2014 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ Watts , Jonathan ; Ford , Liz ( 23 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 Earth Summit : campaigners decry final document '' . The Guardian . London . Jump up ^ `` At UN-backed conference , African countries adopt sustainable development measures '' . UN News Centre . 14 September 2012 . Retrieved 16 September 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Ambassador Ferit Hoxha 's Opinion about Rio + 20 '' . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Antigua and Barbuda Contributes to the Outcome of Rio + 20 '' . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` CFK arrives in Brazil to take part at Rio + 20 Summit '' . Buenos Aires Herald . 20 June 2012 . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . ^ Jump up to : Gerhardt , Tina ( 25 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 : A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste '' . The Huffington Post . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . ^ Jump up to : Vaughan , Adam ( 21 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 summit : Thursday as it happened '' . The Guardian . London . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . ^ Jump up to : `` Rio + 20 : All eyes on Manmohan Singh , Wen Jiabao '' . The Times of India . 20 June 2012 . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . ^ Jump up to : `` From the Green Economy to Communality '' . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ Chrisafis , Angelique ( 18 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 : France seeks one agenda to end poverty and protect environment '' . The Guardian . London . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . ^ Jump up to : Tercek , Mark ( 28 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 : Leadership from New Directions '' . The Huffington Post . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Haiti -- Politic : Speeches of President Martelly to Rio + 20 '' . Haiti Libre . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Rio + 20 a generational opportunity ' says PM '' . The Himalayan Times . 22 June 2012 . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Jonathan , Rio 20 and the Environment '' . This Day . 26 June 2012 . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` ' Godmother Gro ' hailed in Rio '' . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` World Leaders to Tour Region after G20 and Rio + 20 '' . Americas Quarterly . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` South Africa : President Zuma Returns From Rio + 20 Conference '' . 24 June 2013 . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Lee champions green growth at Rio + 20 meeting '' . The Korea Times . 21 June 2012 . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . ^ Jump up to : Vaughan , Adam ( 20 June 2012 ) . `` Rio + 20 summit : Opening day live blog '' . The Guardian . London . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Rio 20 proves a damp squib of a summit '' . The Sunday Times . 24 June 2012 . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Speech by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt at Rio + 20 Summit on Sustainable Development '' . Retrieved 30 April 2013 . Jump up ^ Wallace , Scott . `` Last of the Amazon '' . National Geographic . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ Barnes , Taylor ( 4 August 1692 ) . `` Stars of the Earth Summit '' . Green Blog . Jump up ^ Jonathan Watts , in Rio de Janeiro . `` The Guardian June 21 , 2012 '' . The Guardian . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Ahmadinejad , otra vez en América latina '' . Lanacion.com.ar . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Iranian president to attend Rio + 20 Conference '' Iran Daily Brief `` . Irandailybrief.com. 30 May 2012 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Iraniano acredita que Ahmadinejad vem à Rio + 20 para mostrar que o Irã tem amigos -- GloboNews -- Vídeos do Jornal das Dez -- Catálogo de Vídeos '' . G1.globo.com. 30 May 2012 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Activists walk through Rio , demonstrating against the presence of the Iranian delegation at the summit '' . Flickr.com. 17 June 2012 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Activists walk through Rio , demonstrating against the presence of the Iranian delegation at the summit '' . Flickr.com. 17 June 2012 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ Rozen , Laura ( 25 June 2012 ) . `` Blame it on Rio ? Israeli delegate says Iran 's Ahmadinejad waved at them The Back Channel '' . Backchannel.al-monitor.com . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Rio + 20 : The Seventh issue of the magazine '' . Uncsd2012.org. 11 April 2012 . Retrieved 4 August 2014 . External links ( edit ) Wikimedia Commons has media related to United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development -- Rio 2012 . United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Our Common Future : Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development Videos , photos and informations about the Summit in Brazil Rio + 20 Portal . Building the Peoples Summit Rio + 20 : An Endangered Species ? , March / April 2012 journal Environment Rio + 20 and Sustainable Development : 12 Things to Know Asian Development Bank The Future We Want Earth Summit 2012 Only One Earth -- the Long Road via Rio to Sustainable Development , the history from Stockholm to Rio by Felix Dodds , Michael Strauss with Maurice Strong ( hide ) Sustainability Principles Anthropocene Earth system governance Ecological modernization Environmental governance Environmentalism Global catastrophic risk Human impact on the environment Planetary boundaries Social sustainability Stewardship Sustainable development Consumption Anthropization Anti-consumerism Earth Overshoot Day Ecological footprint Ethical Over-consumption Simple living Sustainability advertising Sustainability brand Sustainability marketing myopia Sustainable Systemic change resistance Tragedy of the commons Population Birth control Family planning Control Overpopulation Zero growth Technology Appropriate Environmental Sustainable Biodiversity Biosecurity Biosphere Conservation biology Deep ecology Endangered species Holocene extinction Invasive species Energy Carbon footprint Climate change mitigation Conservation Descent Efficiency Emissions trading Fossil - fuel phase - out Peak oil Renewable Energy poverty Food Forest gardening Local Permaculture Security Sustainable agriculture Sustainable fishery Urban horticulture Water Conservation Crisis Efficiency Footprint Reclaimed Accountability Sustainability accounting Sustainability measurement Sustainability metrics and indices Sustainability reporting Standards and certification Sustainable yield Applications Advertising Architecture Art Business City College programs Community Design Ecovillage Education for Sustainable Development Fashion Gardening Geopark Green marketing Industries Landscape architecture Living Low - impact development Sustainable market Organizations Packaging Practices Procurement Tourism Transport Urban drainage systems Urban infrastructure Urbanism Management Environmental Fisheries Forest Materials Natural resource Planetary Waste Agreements UN Conference on the Human Environment ( Stockholm 1972 ) Brundtlandt Commission Report ( 1983 ) Our Common Future ( 1987 ) Earth Summit ( 1992 ) Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Agenda 21 ( 1992 ) Convention on Biological Diversity ( 1992 ) ICPD Programme of Action ( 1994 ) Earth Charter Lisbon Principles UN Millennium Declaration ( 2000 ) Earth Summit 2002 ( Rio + 10 , Johannesburg ) United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ( Rio + 20 , 2012 ) Sustainable Development Goals Lists Outline Portal Science Studies Degrees Sustainable development portal United Nations portal Coordinates : 22 ° 54 ′ 35 '' S 43 ° 10 ′ 35 '' W  /  22.9098 ° S 43.1763 ° W  / - 22.9098 ; - 43.1763 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_Nations_Conference_on_Sustainable_Development&oldid=805488008 '' Categories : United Nations conferences 2012 in Brazil 2012 conferences 2012 in the environment Environmental conferences Diplomatic conferences in Brazil 2012 in international relations 21st century in Rio de Janeiro June 2012 events Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Use dmy dates from June 2017 Articles to be expanded from September 2012 All articles to be expanded Articles using small message boxes Commons category with local link different than on Wikidata Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Čeština Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Bahasa Indonesia Íslenska Italiano Lietuvių Nederlands Português Русский Svenska தமிழ் Українська Edit links This page was last edited on 15 October 2017 , at 18 : 52 . About Wikipedia

Question: when was the r10+20 summit in rio de janeiro held


Spain national football team records and statistics - wikipedia Spain national football team records and statistics Jump to : navigation , search This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . ( January 2014 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) The following details the Spain national football team records . Contents ( hide ) 1 Records 1.1 Worldwide 1.2 Nationwide 1.3 Top goalscorers 1.4 Top assists 1.5 Most capped Spain players 1.6 Top penalty scorers 1.7 Hat - tricks 1.8 Biggest wins 1.9 Heaviest defeats 2 Notes 3 References Records ( edit ) Worldwide ( edit ) Most consecutive games undefeated 35 ( 2007 -- 2009 ) ( shared with Brazil between 1993 -- 1996 ) Most consecutive wins including friendlies 15 ( 2008 -- 2009 ) Most consecutive competitive games undefeated 29 ( 2010 -- 2013 ) Most consecutive wins achieved by an international coach from debut 13 -- Vicente del Bosque Most shootouts in one World Cup by one team 2 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup ( shared with Argentina at the 1990 FIFA World Cup , Netherlands and Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA World Cup ) Highest number of points in World Cup qualification 30 out of 30 points ( 2008 -- 2009 ) Nationwide ( edit ) Most international caps 167 -- Iker Casillas Most international goals 59 -- David Villa Most international assists 31 -- Cesc Fàbregas Most goals scored in one season 13 -- David Villa ( 2008 -- 2009 ) Most hat - tricks scored 3 -- Fernando Torres & David Villa Most consecutive games ended with at least one goal 6 -- David Villa Top scorer in World Cup finals 9 -- David Villa Most goals scored in one World Cup 5 -- Emilio Butragueño ( 1986 ) & David Villa ( 2010 ) Most goals scored in consecutive matches at World Cup 4 -- David Villa ( 2010 ) Top scorer in European Championship finals 5 -- Fernando Torres Most goals scored in one European Championship 4 -- David Villa ( 2008 ) Top scorer in Confederations Cup finals 8 -- Fernando Torres Most goals scored in one Confederations Cup 5 -- Fernando Torres ( 2013 ) Top goalscorers ( edit ) David Villa is Spain 's all - time leading scorer with a tally of 59 goals . As of 12 November 2017 , the ten highest scorers for Spain are : # Player Career Goals Caps Average David Villa 2005 -- 59 98 0.608 Raúl 1996 -- 2006 44 102 0.431 Fernando Torres 2003 -- 2014 38 110 0.345 David Silva 2006 -- 35 117 0.299 5 Fernando Hierro 1989 -- 2002 29 89 0.326 6 Fernando Morientes 1998 -- 2007 27 47 0.574 7 Emilio Butragueño 1984 -- 1992 26 69 0.377 8 Alfredo Di Stéfano 1957 -- 1961 23 31 0.742 9 Julio Salinas 1986 -- 1996 22 56 0.411 10 Míchel 1985 -- 1992 21 66 0.318 Bold denotes players still playing international football . Top assists ( edit ) As of 12 November 2017 , the highest assists for Spain are : # Player Career Assists Caps Cesc Fàbregas 2006 -- 2016 31 110 Xavi 2000 -- 2014 27 133 David Silva 2006 -- 27 117 Andrés Iniesta 2006 -- 24 122 Bold denotes players still playing international football . Most capped Spain players ( edit ) Main article : List of Spain international footballers Iker Casillas is the most capped player in the history of the national team , with a record of 167 matches . As of 12 November 2017 , the players with the most caps for Spain are : # Name Career Caps Goals Iker Casillas 2000 -- 2016 167 0 Sergio Ramos 2005 -- 150 11 Xavi 2000 -- 2014 133 12 Andoni Zubizarreta 1985 -- 1998 126 0 5 Andrés Iniesta 2006 -- 122 14 6 David Silva 2006 -- 117 35 7 Xabi Alonso 2003 -- 2014 114 16 8 Cesc Fàbregas 2006 -- 110 14 = Fernando Torres 2003 -- 2014 110 38 10 Raúl 1996 -- 2006 102 44 11 Sergio Busquets 2008 -- 101 12 Carles Puyol 2000 -- 2013 100 13 David Villa 2005 -- 98 59 14 Gerard Piqué 2009 -- 93 5 15 Fernando Hierro 1989 -- 2002 89 29 16 José Antonio Camacho 1975 -- 1988 81 0 17 Santi Cazorla 2008 -- 2015 77 14 18 Rafael Gordillo 1978 -- 1988 75 19 Emilio Butragueño 1984 -- 1992 69 26 = Carlos Marchena 2002 -- 2011 69 21 Luis Arconada 1976 -- 1986 68 0 22 Míchel 1985 -- 1992 66 21 23 Pedro 2010 -- 65 17 24 Luis Enrique 1991 -- 2002 62 12 = Miguel Angel Nadal 1991 -- 2002 62 26 Joan Capdevila 2002 -- 2011 60 = Víctor Muñoz 1981 -- 1988 60 28 Jordi Alba 2011 -- 57 7 29 Álvaro Arbeloa 2008 -- 2013 56 0 = Julio Salinas 1986 -- 1996 56 22 = Santillana 1975 -- 1985 56 15 = Sergi 1994 -- 2002 56 33 Abelardo 1991 -- 2001 54 = Rafael Alkorta 1990 -- 1998 54 0 35 Joseba Etxeberria 1997 -- 2004 53 12 = Míchel Salgado 1998 -- 2006 53 0 37 Raúl Albiol 2007 -- 2015 51 0 = Joaquín 2002 -- 2007 51 = David Albelda 2001 -- 2008 51 0 40 José Ángel Iribar 1964 -- 1976 49 0 41 Manolo Sanchís 1986 -- 1992 48 42 Pep Guardiola 1992 -- 2000 47 5 = Iván Helguera 1998 -- 2004 47 = Fernando Morientes 1998 -- 2007 47 27 45 Santiago Cañizares 1993 -- 2006 46 0 = Juan Carlos Valerón 1998 -- 2005 46 5 = Ricardo Zamora 1920 -- 1936 46 0 48 Rubén Baraja 2000 -- 2005 43 7 = Francisco Gento 1955 -- 1969 43 5 50 Amancio Amaro 1962 -- 1974 42 11 = Ricardo Gallego 1982 -- 1988 42 52 Juan Mata 2009 -- 41 10 = Juan Manuel Asensi 1969 -- 1980 41 7 = Julen Guerrero 1993 -- 2000 41 13 = Pirri 1966 -- 1978 41 16 = Juan Antonio Señor 1982 -- 1988 41 6 57 Gaizka Mendieta 1999 -- 2002 40 8 58 Andoni Goikoetxea Olaskoaga 1983 -- 1988 39 59 Alfonso 1992 -- 2000 38 11 = Rafael Martín Vázquez 1987 -- 1992 38 = Vicente 2001 -- 2005 38 62 Guillermo Amor 1990 -- 1998 37 63 Albert Ferrer 1991 -- 1999 36 0 = Pepe Reina 2005 -- 36 0 = Koke 2013 -- 36 0 = Gallego 1966 -- 1973 36 0 = Ion Andoni Goikoetxea 1990 -- 1996 36 = Antonio Maceda 1981 -- 1986 36 8 69 Francisco Carrasco 1979 -- 1988 35 5 = Jesús Navas 2009 -- 35 = Quini 1970 -- 1982 35 8 = Antoni Ramallets 1950 -- 1961 35 0 73 José Ramón Alexanko 1978 -- 1982 34 = Juanito 1976 -- 1982 34 8 = Julio Alberto Moreno 1984 -- 1988 34 0 76 Agustín Gaínza 1945 -- 1955 33 10 77 Migueli 1974 -- 1980 32 = Jesús María Satrústegui 1975 -- 1982 32 8 = Luis Suárez 1957 -- 1972 32 14 80 Alfredo Di Stéfano 1957 -- 1961 31 23 81 José Mari Bakero 1987 -- 1994 30 7 = Jesús María Zamora 1978 -- 1982 30 Bold denotes players still playing international football . Top penalty scorers ( edit ) Fernando Hierro scored a joint record 9 international penalties for Spain As of June 11 , 2017 . Penalties Player 9 Fernando Hierro Míchel 7 David Villa 6 Xabi Alonso 5 Fernando Torres Dani Emilio Butragueño Agustín Gaínza Pep Guardiola Pirri Raúl Francisco Carrasco César Ion Andoni Goikoetxea Juanito László Kubala Gaizka Mendieta David Silva Txiki Begiristain Santi Cazorla Enrique Collar Donato Andrés Iniesta José Iraragorri Isidro Lángara Manolo Toni Muñoz Félix Quesada Quini Sergio Ramos Gaspar Rubio Jesús María Satrústegui Luis Suárez Roberto López Ufarte Vicente Bold denotes players still playing international football . Hat - tricks ( edit ) As of June 14 , 2014 . Player Competition Against Home / Away Result Date Villa , David David Villa 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Tahiti Home 10 -- 0 000000002013 - 06 - 20 - 0000 20 June 2013 Torres , Fernando Fernando Torres 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Tahiti Home 10 -- 0 000000002013 - 06 - 20 - 0000 20 June 2013 Pedro , Pedro 2014 World Cup qualification Belarus Away 0 -- 4 000000002012 - 10 - 12 - 0000 12 October 2012 Soldado , Roberto Roberto Soldado International Friendly Venezuela Home 5 -- 0 000000002012 - 02 - 29 - 0000 29 February 2012 Torres , Fernando Fernando Torres 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup New Zealand Away 0 -- 5 000000002009 - 06 - 14 - 0000 14 June 2009 Villa , David David Villa International Friendly Azerbaijan Away 0 -- 6 000000002009 - 06 - 09 - 0000 9 June 2009 Villa , David David Villa UEFA Euro 2008 Russia Home 4 -- 1 000000002008 - 06 - 10 - 0000 10 June 2008 García , Luis Luis García 2006 World Cup qualification Slovakia Home 5 -- 1 000000002005 - 11 - 12 - 0000 12 November 2005 Torres , Fernando Fernando Torres 2006 World Cup qualification San Marino Away 0 -- 5 000000002005 - 10 - 12 - 0000 12 October 2005 Morientes , Fernando Fernando Morientes International Friendly Ecuador Home 4 -- 0 000000002003 - 04 - 30 - 0000 30 April 2003 Urzaiz , Ismael Ismael Urzaiz Euro 2000 qualifying Cyprus Home 8 -- 0 000000001999 - 09 - 08 - 0000 8 September 1999 Guerrero , Julen Julen Guerrero Euro 2000 qualifying Cyprus Home 8 -- 0 000000001999 - 09 - 08 - 0000 8 September 1999 Luis Enrique , Luis Enrique Euro 2000 qualifying San Marino Home 9 -- 0 000000001999 - 06 - 05 - 0000 5 June 1999 Raul Raúl Euro 2000 qualifying San Marino Away 9 -- 0 000000001999 - 03 - 31 - 0000 31 March 1999 Raul Raúl Euro 2000 qualifying Austria Home 9 -- 0 000000001999 - 03 - 27 - 0000 27 March 1999 Guerrero , Julen Julen Guerrero 1998 World Cup qualification Malta Away 0 -- 3 000000001996 - 12 - 18 - 0000 18 December 1996 Alfonso , Alfonso 1998 World Cup qualification Faroe Islands Away 2 -- 6 000000001996 - 09 - 04 - 0000 4 September 1996 Salinas , Julio Julio Salinas 1994 World Cup qualification Albania Away 1 -- 5 000000001993 - 09 - 22 - 0000 22 September 1993 Butragueño , Emilio Emilio Butragueño Euro 1992 qualifying Albania Home 9 -- 0 000000001990 - 12 - 19 - 0000 19 December 1990 Michel Míchel 1990 FIFA World Cup South Korea Away 1 -- 3 000000001990 - 06 - 17 - 0000 17 June 1990 Bakero , José María José María Bakero Euro 1988 qualifying Albania Home 5 -- 0 000000001987 - 11 - 18 - 0000 18 November 1987 Butragueño , Emilio Emilio Butragueño 1986 FIFA World Cup Denmark Away 1 -- 5 000000001986 - 06 - 18 - 0000 18 June 1986 Santillana , Santillana Euro 1984 qualifying Malta Home 12 -- 1 000000001983 - 12 - 21 - 0000 21 December 1983 Rincon , Hipolito Hipólito Rincón Euro 1984 qualifying Malta Home 12 -- 1 000000001983 - 12 - 21 - 0000 21 December 1983 Pereda , Jesús María Jesús María Pereda 1966 World Cup qualification Republic of Ireland Home 4 -- 1 000000001965 - 10 - 27 - 0000 27 October 1965 Guillot , Vicente Vicente Guillot 1964 European Nations ' Cup qualifying Romania Home 6 -- 0 000000001962 - 11 - 01 - 0000 1 November 1962 Tejada , Justo Justo Tejada International Friendly Northern Ireland Home 6 -- 2 000000001958 - 10 - 15 - 0000 15 October 1958 Kubala , László László Kubala International Friendly Turkey Home 3 -- 0 000000001957 - 11 - 16 - 0000 16 November 1957 Di Stéfano , Alfredo Alfredo Di Stéfano International Friendly Netherlands Home 5 -- 1 000000001957 - 01 - 30 - 0000 30 January 1957 Zarra , Telmo Telmo Zarra International Friendly Switzerland Home 6 -- 3 000000001951 - 02 - 18 - 0000 18 February 1951 Basora , Estanislau Estanislau Basora International Friendly France Away 1 -- 5 000000001949 - 06 - 19 - 0000 19 June 1949 Langara , Isidro Isidro Lángara 1934 World Cup qualification Portugal Home 9 -- 0 000000001934 - 03 - 11 - 0000 11 March 1934 Langara , Isidro Isidro Lángara International Friendly France Home 8 -- 1 000000001929 - 04 - 14 - 0000 14 April 1929 Rubio , Gaspar Gaspar Rubio International Friendly Portugal Home 5 -- 0 000000001929 - 03 - 17 - 0000 17 March 1929 Player scored 4 goals Player scored 5 goals Biggest wins ( edit ) Scores from 4 -- 0 and up Best Results by Spain Date Opponent Round Result Difference 21 May 1933 Bulgaria Friendly 13 -- 0 + 13 21 December 1983 Malta 1984 EURO qualification 12 -- 1 + 11 20 June 2013 Tahiti 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup 10 -- 0 + 10 11 March 1934 Portugal 1934 World Cup qualification 9 -- 0 + 9 19 December 1990 Albania 1992 EURO qualification 27 March 1999 Austria 2000 EURO qualification 5 June 1999 San Marino 2000 EURO qualification 8 8 September 1999 Cyprus 2000 EURO qualification 8 -- 0 + 8 5 September 2016 Liechtenstein 2018 World Cup qualification 5 September 2017 Liechtenstein 2018 World Cup qualification 11 14 April 1929 France Friendly 8 -- 1 + 7 24 November 1971 Cyprus 1972 EURO qualification 7 -- 0 13 30 May 1928 Mexico 1928 S.O. 1 / 8 7 -- 1 + 6 1 June 1952 Republic of Ireland Friendly 6 -- 0 1 November 1952 Romania 1964 European Nations ' Cup Q 6 -- 0 15 October 1969 Finland 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification Q 6 -- 0 6 September 1995 Cyprus UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying Q 6 -- 0 31 March 1999 San Marino UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Q 6 -- 0 12 October 2005 San Marino 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification -- UEFA Group 7 Q 6 -- 0 9 June 2009 Azerbaijan Friendly 6 -- 0 8 June 2010 Poland Friendly 6 -- 0 6 September 2011 Liechtenstein UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group I 6 -- 0 Heaviest defeats ( edit ) Scores from 4 -- 0 and up Worst Results by Spain Date Opponent Round Venue Result Difference 4 June 1928 Italy 1928 S. Olympics quarter - final replay 1 -- 7 -- 6 9 December 1931 England Friendly 13 July 1950 Brazil 1950 FIFA World Cup final round 1 -- 6 − 5 13 June 1963 Scotland Friendly 2 -- 6 -- 4 13 June 2014 Netherlands 2014 FIFA World Cup Group Stage 1 -- 5 19 April 1942 Italy Friendly 0 -- 4 17 November 2010 Portugal Friendly Notes ( edit ) References ( edit ) ( hide ) Spain national football team General History Managers Venues Ciudad del Fútbol Home venues Statistics Results and Fixtures Records Head to head World Cup record Hat - tricks Players 20 + caps captains World Cup & Euro Championship squads Other categories World Cup Finals Summary 1934 1950 1962 1966 1978 1982 1986 1998 2002 2006 2014 2018 UEFA Euro Finals Summary 1964 1980 1984 2000 2008 2012 2016 Other tournaments FIFA Confederations Cup The Olympics Rivalries Rivalry with Italy Rivalry with Portugal Other RFEF teams Men Under - 23 Under - 21 Under - 20 Under - 19 Under - 18 Under - 17 Under - 16 Under - 15 Women Results Under - 20 Under - 19 Under - 17 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spain_national_football_team_records_and_statistics&oldid=832104215 '' Categories : Spain national football team records and statistics Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from October 2016 Articles lacking sources from January 2014 All articles lacking sources Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 23 March 2018 , at 21 : 34 . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply . By using this site , you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation , Inc. , a non-profit organization . About Wikipedia

Question: all time highest goal scorer in spain national team