noun
descending dragon
Refers to a dragon in a downward-facing or descending posture, often contrasted with 昇り竜 (ascending dragon). Used in art, architecture, and symbolic contexts.
See also: 昇り竜 (のぼりりゅう)
この寺の天井には降り龍の絵が描かれている。
A painting of a descending dragon is drawn on the ceiling of this temple.
昇り竜と降り龍が対になって彫られている。
An ascending dragon and a descending dragon are carved as a pair.
昇り竜 means 'ascending dragon', the opposite posture. Often paired with 降り龍 in art and symbolism.
Compound of 降り (kudari, 'descending') + 龍/竜 (ryū/ryō, 'dragon'). The reading くだりりょう is a variant, possibly influenced by older or dialectal pronunciation of 龍.