What's the origin of these dragon pins?

[DisneyScouter]

When we started to collect pins my son wanted this lanyard. When we got home and found PinPics, he found the pin to match it.

Pin 48115: Lanyard - Black - Mickey Mouse Icon - Dragon

Pin 47531: Mickey Mouse Icon - Dragon

We also found a whole slew of similar Mickey Head dragon pins, mostly from WDI, in variations of this pin.

Pin 46789: WDI - Mickey Mouse Head Fire Breathing Dragon (Red Glitter)

I've always wondered what the origin of these pins might be. I know most of the Disney dragons (Mushu, Maleficent as dragon, Elliot, Madam Mim, Figment, etc.). These pins don't resemble any of these characters.

Does anyone know the history behind these? Or did they just do a generic dragon? With almost 40 pins that I could find that are essentially the same thing with mostly color variations, it seems a little odd that the design doesn't refer to some character, attraction, etc.

 

[hopemax]

As far as I know, WDI started using that type of Dragon during the design and construction of Hong Kong Disneyland. I don't think it refers to a Disney dragon, but to the use of dragon iconography in the Chinese culture.

 

[btowndude]

Don't forget the cool red dragon lanyard medal - 48114 - that complements the lanyard?
This weekend is the lunar new year - year of the rabbit and next year is the year of dragon!

 

[Mr. Nightmare]

Dragons were protectors that have incredible intelligence, wisdom, strength, and longevity.