It is quite a tradition in rural China and Japan with potters that they regard their kiln as a fiery volcano and often you will find a Fire Dragon on the roof protecting and bringing luck to the potters and their wares.

​

When I was potting with a handmade kiln and lots of experimenting with clay bodies and hot firings and volcanic ash and metal and crazy unorthodox glazes, and heat and smoke, these laughing fire dragons fitted right in. 

 

They are made from the alchemy of the four elements of earth, water, fire, air combined with a good dose of happiness.