Vietnamese 17th C. Ceramic Carp-Dragon Lamp - This Vietnamese ceramic lamp from the 17th century depicts a water gatherer atop a carp which has turned into a dragon. The motif is likely inspired by the Vietnamese legend in which there was an emperor who wanted to create new dragons because dragons bring rain, which helps crops grow. Many animals in the ocean were summoned to have a competition where they had to jump over three gates of rain, and the first animal that could jump over all three would get to be transformed into a dragon. The first fish only made it over the first gate, and the second fish hit his head on the second gate and got its head flattened, so the emperor gave it dragon's whiskers for effort (the catfish). The shrimp came next, but it only got past the second, so the emperor made it look like a miniature dragon. Lastly the carp tried, and it got past all three, so the emperor transformed it into a dragon. Because of this legend, dragons symbolize success and wealth and education in Vietnam is compared to the three gates. Measurements (approximate): 9"H x 8"W.