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Dragon veins (龍脈/龙脉) or dragon's lines/tracks are a concept in Feng Shui. It refers to channels of energy flowing through . They are underground channels of Qi. According to some traditional religions, it is forbidden to destroy them, as this may cause negative consequences or disturbances. It has developed a metaphorical meaning of any critical infrastructure in the modern day such as the Qinghai–Tibet railway.
The 1857 Feng Shui observation diary identified several sites in the Makija Hamlet, Okinawa, such as Uinu Utaki and Nuru Dunchi, believed to be connected to these dragon veins.
Qi forces vary in quality and quantity and move through the earth along "veins", referred to as "longmai" or "dragon veins". These veins concentrate at nodal points known as "caverns". While the forces are intangible, the network of veins can be inferred from topographical features.
After death, people are often buried next to Dragon veins. (2026). 9780520381971, University of California Press. ISBN 9780520381971
The Coiled Dragon Mountain's name draws from the geomantic image of a coiled Black Tortoise, a Chinese mythological figure visualized as a serpent wrapped around a tortoise. This figure is associated with the northern direction and the water element. The mountain held particular geomantic importance, with the Pavilion of Lingering Illumination positioned at the end of the Dragon vein.
This mountain's significance was recognized in imperial times, especially during the Ming dynasty. The Pavilion of Lingering Illumination, located on the mountain, became an emblem of its powerful geomantic influence, and was supported by imperial patronage. Local elite and officials celebrated the shrine's geomantic powers and general significance, linking it to larger Chinese cosmological beliefs. For instance, some scholars believed the mountain was connected to the Dragon veins of the Kunlun Mountains, a legendary location in Central Asia. During certain examination periods, scholars would visit the mountain's shrine hoping for academic success, and provincial officials acknowledged the shrine's societal contributions.
Prominent poets, like Xie Jialin from the Qing dynasty, lauded the shrine's stature, acknowledging its imperial support and the presence of a significant religious figure. They believed the shrine held particular importance for the local community.
Cases also highlighted the community's interest in preserving geomantically efficacious land. A market near Danshui in 1867 saw community leaders seek an official ban on excavation of a dragon vein, as they believed it brought prosperity to the town. While there were tensions between geomantic considerations and utilitarian or economic approaches to the land, there were instances of compromise. An 1857 land deed, for example, allowed the use of a geomantic site for vegetable farming but prohibited its conversion into rice paddies. This illustrates an effort to balance both the geomantic significance and economic use of the environment.
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