The birth of a terracotta dragon from a terracotta egg Some dragons hatch from eggs. However, there are also dragons that are born from the element they embody. The dragon’s spirit forms an elemental shell around itself. The spirit of a water dragon creates a shell made of water; the spirit of an ice dragon creates one made of ice; the spirit of a stone dragon creates one made of stone; and the spirit of a fire dragon creates one made of fire and lava. The spirit of a terracotta dragon forms a shell out of reddish-brown clay. The shell created by the spirit takes the shape of the dragon’s future body. The dragon gradually grows and develops inside the shell, slowly filling it with its physical form. When the time comes, the elemental shell—having served its purpose—bursts apart and crumbles, and the dragon emerges into the world.