Asian Silk Dragon Flag - Need help with country of origin & name? Temple / Ceremonial / ?

This just came in yesterday, but we are not sure what it is or where it comes from. It looks like an asian piece, but speculation so far is that it is not from China. It is made from silk, and looks like everything was sewn by hand. Imagery includes a bug-eyed dragon with 10 forks in its tongue. Has anyone seen anything like it before or have any idea where it comes from? We are also curious about the "characters" in the border. Thanks for any help! ... Dave

 

The dragon reminds me of the dragon of Bhutan, except the colour is obviously different.

 

there is no tongue....you're looking at the head upside down...

it is a 5 claw dragon....so that's good !

 

What is the significance of 5 claws?

 

Oh - I see komokwa (I just googled it).

 

Royalty use only.

 

That might fit with the comment of one of our customers who saw the flag - they thought it was something like a "palace flag".

 

Not related, but a pretty flag as well:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Qing_dynasty

 

Triangular flags are used in chinese opera costumes as well.

http://china-cart.com/d.asp?a=Chine...Opera+Costumes+and+Flags+Complete+Set&d=46135





Here are some flags listed:

https://www.flagcollection.com/searchresults.php?searchtype=keyword&keyword=dragon

Bigger flags on the side of the stage:



http://houcf.blogspot.com/2014/08/blog-post.html

 

it sure looks the same as those....

 

Notice how in the first picture of my previous post the red dragon in the flag on right side / top has 5 claws. In the picture below (the yellow dragon) only has 4. I can't really tell for sure but I think in the last picture's flags the dragons only have 4 claws as well.
So there's variety within them.


I read that many of these kinds of flags are Qing Dynasty flags and from the late 19th century and they "could have been used to identify a character to a specific time during a performance." whatever that means.
In some of those examples the patterns were printed.
@gimbler-dave 's flag seems to be embroidered and that could mean it's older but I don't know.
Your flag also is very large. But maybe the sizes vary.

 

Flipped around with a clean background............what can be done about the apparent hole in it.....it's very beautiful!!!!!

 

Wow! Fantastic edit job!