Tatsudoshi

The Japanese word for "dragon" is, "tatsu" or "ryuu". There are three kanji characters to express the word, "dragon". One （竜） is in Joyo kanji, and the other one （龍） is the old style kanji. When describing a dragon as, "Juunishi", a different character （辰） than the previous two is used.

coming 2012 is tatsudoshi, year of the dragon ^__^

• Here are some Japanese expressions that are related to the word "dragon":


• 
  Gekirin ni fureru 逆鱗に触れる　--- "Gekirin" is the scale on a dragon that grows in the opposite direction to all the others. A dragon doesn't harm humans in general, but hates to have its "gekirin" (scale) touched. It is said that if a "gekirin" were touched, the dragon would become furious and kill the person responsible immediately. Therefore, "Gekirin ni fureru" means, "to incur the wrath of the Emperor; to provoke the Emperor's wrath; to step on the toes of a man in power".

• Touryuumon 登竜門　--- Literally translates as, "Climbing the Dragon's Gate". It expresses, "the gateway to success; an opening to honors". It finds its origin in the old Chinese legend about a carp, swimming up a rapid current and a waterfall named, "The Dragon's Gate", that turns into a dragon and goes to heaven.

• Ryuutou-Dabi 竜頭蛇尾　--- Is one of the, "Yoji-Jukugo". It literally means, "A dragon's head and a snake's tail". It describes a, "bright beginning; dull finish; to end in an anticlimax; a tame ending."

May you have a happy lucky 辰 dragon year this 2012 !!! ^___^

ps: thankyou to Namiko for these informations !!!!