The Celestial Dragons, or the World Nobles, are a great and very controversial organization in One Piece. They are direct descendants of the founders of the World Government who feel themselves to be living gods. This arrogant position they had created for themselves brought them numerous benefits and powers across the One Piece world. Examples of names for Celestial Dragons can be Donquixote Homing, Saint Donquixote Mjosgard, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, Saint Markus Mars, Doflamingo, and Saint Garling.
The Celestial Dragons reside in Mary Geoise, a holy land on the Red Line. Thus, it is from this lofty position that they oversee their influence on the "lower world," envisioning themselves to be kings over all that lies before them. Their superiority is such a strong belief that often they refer to themselves as creators of the world, further implying their godhood.
Contrary to their high status, the Celestial Dragons are portrayed as physically weak individuals. Their weakness is compensated for with incredibly high political power and the protection of the World Government. The case of a Celestial Dragon being attacked is punished very strictly, almost like a death sentence, therefore scaring anybody who would even think about opposing them.
Celestial Dragons are known to be ruthless and whimsical sadists. Their heinous crimes are committed at times without qualms because they get away with it—slavery, murder, exploitation of whomsoever they consider lower. The excellent source of tension and struggle is mostly found in their actions within the One Piece world and has mainly served as an ignition or motivation for rebellion and resistance against the current rule.
Most Celestial Dragons are depicted as weak or at least holding on to their nobility birthright for strength, while some of them are actually powerful or influential apart from the very same birthright. There are very few among their brethren who take important places in the continued storyline of One Piece.
The Celestial Dragons are an obstacle to be overcome in the grand narrative of One Piece. What they do, and who they are, fundamentally challenges a great number of characters within the series, such as the main protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy. Confrontations with them, along with the systems they have come to represent, are central to the plot as it progresses, thereby showing their relation to the general themes and conflicts of the series.
The Celestial Dragons are uniquely and symbolically presented in One Piece. Most often, they are all clad in bubble helmets. It doesn't just save them from having to breathe the same air as Commoners; it also provides active visual imagery for their isolation from and disconnection with the rest of the world. This creates an image that strongly enforces the sense of superiority they convey and sustains a gap between them and the rest of humanity within the One Piece world.