Along with the phoenix, giraffe, and turtle, the Dragon was one of the "Four Divinities (4靈)" or four imaginary animals. Among all existing animals, the Dragon was considered the animal of the highest authority. It is equipped with all the best weapons of other animals and an ability to harmonize all matters infinitely. The Dragon had been deeply rooted in the people’s daily life, influencing countless folklore, folk religions, legends, ideologies, artworks, and geographic names. People of the Silla dynasty in particular gave birth to a dragon that protected the country (護國龍), culminating in the most illuminating spirit of patriotism in Korean history. People born in the Year of the Dragon are known to be healthy, energetic, brave, sensitive, and trustworthy. They detest pursuit of money or flattery. They can be easily irritated and excited, stubborn, quite clear with what they like and dislike, and somewhat temperamental.

People born in the Year of the Dragon are most attracted to people born in the Year of the Monkey, who have boundless amiability. In the same token, people born in the Year of the Monkey are attracted to people born in the Year of the Dragon for their grandiosity. They make a great, amicable team. The combination of the Dragon and the Rat can make a successful pair because of the Dragon's strength and the Rat's skillfulness. Together, they can accomplish great work. In other words, the Dragon can make the best threesome combination (三合) with the Rat and the Monkey. The Dragon is said to be a creature made of the Rat's clever brain and the Monkey's agile body. Between the Dragon and the Pig, however, there will always be enmity. The Dragon dislikes the nose on the Pig's face (龍嫌猪黑面). The Dragon is the embodiment of all twelve animals, but of all the grand features, the Dragon took the Pig's nose. The Dragon simply detests the ugly nose, thinking it is the Pig's nose that made the Dragon look ugly. Thus, in marital compatibility in folklores, a match of the Dragon and the Pig was often avoided.

The mythical animal dragon was imagined in various ways by people living in changing times and social environment, and its ability to harmonize was worshiped. Thus, depending on the time and environment, the Dragon and its abilities were portrayed differently. In Korea where the Dragon was worshiped as a sacred one equipped with weapons and functions representing many animals, it meant great leap, ascension, and hope and, at the same time, the symbol of the greatest authority on earth. The Dragon was the god of water controlling the clouds and rain and also the protective god of Buddhism and the royal authority, which all led to the birth of various dragon gods. Dragons became the important theme of many legends. The ultimate goal and hope of the Dragon was to rise above the clouds and ascend to heaven.