Difference between revisions of "Chinese dragon" - New World Encyclopedia

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===Japanese Dragon===
 
===Japanese Dragon===
  
A '''Japanese dragon''', also known as '''ryū''' or ''tatsu'' (竜 or 龍, "dragon") is a [[legendary creature]] from [[Japan]]. Like other creatures refered to as [[dragon]]s, the ''ryū'' is a large, fantastic, serpent-like being, and is closely related to the Chinese ''[[Chinese dragon|lóng]]'' and the Korean ''[[Korean dragon|yong]]''. Like these it is usually depicted as a wingless, heavily-scaled snake-like creature with small clawed legs and a horned or antlered mammalian head, and is associated with large bodies of water, clouds or the heavens. The ''ryū'' in art can generally be distinguished from other East-Asian dragons in that it has only three toes, rather than the ''lóng's'' five or the ''yong's'' four. <ref> Schumacher, Mark. (2006)[[http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml"Dragon Lore From Japan"]] Retrieved April 17, 2007 </ref>
+
A '''Japanese dragon''', also known as '''ryū''' or ''tatsu'' (竜 or 龍, "dragon") is similar to the Chinese dragon in that it is usually depicted as a large, fantastic, serpent-like being, wingless, with small clawed legs and a horned or antlered mammalian head, and in art can generally be distinguished from other East-Asian dragons in that it has only three toes, rather than the Chinese dragon which has five. <ref> Schumacher, Mark. (2006)[[http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml"Dragon Lore From Japan"]] Retrieved April 17, 2007 </ref>
  
 
One of the first dragon-like creatures in Japanese myth is the [[Yamata-no-Orochi]], an enormous girl-devouring serpent with eight heads and eight tails which was slain by [[Susanoo]]. Dragons in later Japanese folklore were often much more benign, perhaps because of a heavy influence from China. They appear in famous tales such as [[My Lord Bag of Rice]], in which a hero must kill a giant centipede which is devouring the children of the dragon king of [[Lake Biwa]]. In [[Urashima Tarō]], the title character rescues a turtle which turns out to be the daughter of [[Ryūjin]], the dragon king of the ocean.<ref> Schumacher, Mark. (2006)[[http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml"Dragon Lore From Japan"]] Retrieved April 17, 2007 </ref>
 
One of the first dragon-like creatures in Japanese myth is the [[Yamata-no-Orochi]], an enormous girl-devouring serpent with eight heads and eight tails which was slain by [[Susanoo]]. Dragons in later Japanese folklore were often much more benign, perhaps because of a heavy influence from China. They appear in famous tales such as [[My Lord Bag of Rice]], in which a hero must kill a giant centipede which is devouring the children of the dragon king of [[Lake Biwa]]. In [[Urashima Tarō]], the title character rescues a turtle which turns out to be the daughter of [[Ryūjin]], the dragon king of the ocean.<ref> Schumacher, Mark. (2006)[[http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml"Dragon Lore From Japan"]] Retrieved April 17, 2007 </ref>

Revision as of 20:52, 18 April 2007


Chinese dragon

The Chinese dragon (spelled Long, Loong or Lung in transliteration), is a mythical Chinese creature that also appears in other East Asian cultures, and is also sometimes called the Oriental (or Eastern) dragon. Depicted as a long, snake-like creature with four claws, in contrast to the Western dragon which stands on two legs and which is usually portrayed as evil, it has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art.

The dragon is also the embodiment of the concept of yang (male) and associated with the weather as the bringer of rain and water in general. Its female counterpart is the Chinese phoenix.

Description

Non-imperial Chinese dragon in Shanghai.

The first depictions of the dragon in Eastern culture, come in the form of totems, stylized depiction of natural creatures. One such early form was the pig dragon. It is a coiled, elongated creature with a head resembling a boar[1]. The character for "dragon" in the earliest Chinese writing has a similar coiled form, as do later jade dragon amulets from the Shang period. Often they appeared as conglomerate of other animals, a combination that over time may have contributed to the creation of the dragon as a single, unified creature (See Origin below). The general appearance of the dragon can actually be see as a conglomerate of real animals: the trunk of a snake, scales of a carp, tail of a whale, antlers of a stag, face of a camel, talons of eagles, ears of a bull, feet of a tiger and the eyes of a (dragon)lobster. Sometimes it has a flaming pearl under its chin. Chinese dragons are occasionally depicted with bat-like wings growing out of the front limbs, but most do not have wings, they are still capable of taking flight. This description accords with the artistic depictions of the dragon down to the present day. The dragon has also acquired an almost unlimited range of supernatural powers. It is said to be able to disguise itself as a silkworm, or become as large as our entire universe. It can fly among the clouds, hide in or turn into water or fire, can become invisible or glow in the dark [2]

Origin

The ancient seal script form of the character for "dragon" that is now written 龍 or 龙 and pronounced lóng in Mandarin.

There is no consensus on the origin of the Chinese dragon. As with the dragon of Europe, there is the possibility that large dinosaur fossils helped fuel the belief that there existed giant, reptilian like creatures. Some have suggested that it came from totems of different tribes in China, its shape the potential combination of totems of various tribes as the result of tribes mergering. The coiled snake or dragon form played an important role in early Chinese culture. Legendary figures like Nüwa (女媧), Fuxi (伏羲) are depicted as having snake bodies. Some scholars report that the first legendary Emperor of China Huang Di (黃帝,Yellow Emperor) used a snake for his coat of arms. Every time he conquered another tribe, he incorporated his defeated enemy's emblem into his own. That explains why the dragon appears to have features of various animals. [3] Others, such as archaeologist Zhou Chongfa believe that it comes from a stylized depiction of existing animals, such as snakes, fish, or crocodiles, the origin of the dragon's mythical attributes in controlling the weather, especially the rain. The association with the crocodile is also supported by the view in ancient times that large crocodiles are a variety of dragon. [4] For example, in the Story of Zhou Chu, about the life of a Jin Dynasty warrior, he is said to have killed a "dragon" that infested the waters of his home village, which appears to have been a crocodile. There is no apparent connection to the western dragon. However, Marco Polo's alleged sighting of a dragon while traveling throught the East may have influenced the European view of the dragon.

File:188582749 20bbd4c36c.jpeg
A terracotta tile showing a dragon

Chinese Mythology and Culture

In Chinese mythology, the dragon was revered in several different ways. Tigers were always seen as the eternal rival to dragons, thus various artworks depict a dragon and tiger fighting an epic battle. Although the Imperial dragon is infinitely more powerful than the tiger in myth, a well used Chinese idiom to describe equal rivals (often in sports nowadays) is "Dragon versus Tiger." In Chinese martial arts, "Dragon style" is used to describe styles of fighting based more on understanding movement, while "Tiger style" is based on brute strength and memorization of techniques. Chinese dragons are also strongly associated with water in popular belief. They are believed to be the rulers of moving bodies of water, such as waterfalls, rivers, or seas. They can show themselves as water spouts (tornado or twister over water). In this capacity as the rulers of water and weather, the dragon is more anthropomorphic in form, often depicted as a humanoid, dressed in a king's costume, but with a dragon head wearing a king's headdress. There are four major Dragon Kings, representing each of the four seas: the East Sea (corresponding to the East China Sea), the South Sea (corresponding to the South China Sea), the West Sea (sometimes seen as the Indian Ocean and beyond), and the North Sea (sometimes seen as Lake Baikal). Because of this association, they are seen as "in charge" of water-related weather phenomenon. In premodern times, many Chinese villages (especially those close to rivers and seas) had temples dedicated to their local "dragon king." In times of drought or flooding, it was customary for the local gentry and government officials to lead the community in offering sacrifices and conducting other religious rites to appease the dragon, either to ask for rain or a cessation thereof. [5]

The number nine is considered lucky in China and Chinese dragons are frequently connected with it. For example, a Chinese dragon is normally described in terms of nine attributes and usually has 117 scales - 81 (9x9) male and 36 (9x4) female. This is also why there are nine forms of the dragon and the dragon has nine children. The "Nine Dragon Wall" is a screen wall with images of nine different dragons, and is found in imperial palaces and gardens. As nine was considered the number of the emperor, only the most senior officials were allowed to wear nine dragons on their robes - and then only with the robe completely covered with surcoats. Lower-ranking officials had eight or five dragons on their robes, again covered with surcoats; even the emperor himself wore his dragon robe with one of its nine dragons hidden from view. (See Imperial Symbolism below).

Nine Dragon Screen, Datong (detail).

The "Nine Classical Types" of dragons as depicted in Chinese art and literature, are:

  • Tianlong (天龍), The Celestial Dragon
  • Shenlong (神龍), the Spiritual Dragon
  • Fucanglong (伏藏龍), the Dragon of Hidden Treasures
  • Dilong (地龍), the Underground Dragon
  • Yinglong (應龍), the Winged Dragon
  • Jiaolong (虯龍), the Horned Dragon
  • Panlong (蟠龍), the Coiling Dragon: inhabits the waters
  • Huanglong (黃龍), Yellow Dragon, which emerged from the River Luo to show Fuxi the elements of writing
  • Dragon King (龍王)

Besides these, there are Nine Dragon Children, which feature prominently in architectural and monumental decorations:

  • The first son is called bixi (贔屭 pinyin: bìxì), which looks like a giant tortoise and is good at carrying weight. It is often found as the carved stone base of monumental tablets.
  • The second son is called chiwen (螭吻 pinyin chǐwěn), which looks like a beast and likes to see very far. It is always found on the roof.
  • The third son is called pulao (蒲牢 pinyin pǔláo), which looks like a small dragon, and likes to roar. Thus it is always found on bells.
  • The fourth son is called bi'an (狴犴 pinyin bì'àn), which looks like a tiger, and is powerful. It is often found on prison doors to frighten the prisoners.
  • The fifth son is called taotie (饕餮 pinyin tāotiè), which loves to eat and is found on food-related wares.
  • The sixth son is called baxia (蚣蝮 pinyin gōngfù or bāxià), which likes to be in water, and is found on bridges.
  • The seventh son is called yazi (睚眥 pinyin yázī), which likes to kill, and is found on swords and knives.
  • The eighth son is called suanni (狻猊 pinyin suānní), which looks like a lion and likes smoke as well as having an affinity for fireworks. It is usually found on incense burners.
  • The youngest is called jiaotu (椒圖 pinyin jiāotú), which looks like a conch or clam and does not like to be disturbed. It is used on the front door or the doorstep.

The dragon also plays an important part in the Chinese zodiac which is used to designate years in the Chinese calendar. The dragon is the fourth sign of the zodiac, compromising the years 1902, 1926, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012 in recent times. The dragon is considered a powerful sign to be born under, one that represents ambition, headstrong, couragoues but also can be reckless and stubborn. [6] Dragon years are usually the most popular to have babies. There are more babies born in Dragon years than in any other animal years of the Zodiac. The dragon is also a prevaliant constellation in Chinese culture. The Azure Dragon - Qing Long - 青龍 is considered to be the primary of the four celestial guardians, the other three being the Zhu Que - 朱雀 (red bird), Bai Hu - 白虎 (white tiger), Xuan Wu - 玄武 (black tortoise-like creature). In this context, the Azure Dragon is associated with the East and the element of Wood.

File:Mua-rong.jpeg
A Dong Ho painting of a dragon dance

On auspicious occasions, including Chinese New Year and the opening of shops and residences, festivities often include dancing with dragon puppets. These are "life sized" cloth-and-wood puppets manipulated by a team of people, supporting the dragon with poles. They perform choreographed moves to the accompaniment of drums and music.

At special festivals, especially the Duan Wu festival, dragon boat races are an important part of festivities. Typically, these are boats rowed by a team of up to 12 powers, and with a carved dragon as the head of the boat. Dragon boat racing is also an important part of celebrations outside of China, such as at Chinese New Years.

The dragon as symbol of imperial authority

An imperial robe from the Qing Dynasty

In ancient China, the dragon became a symbol of the imperial heirarchy. At the end of his reign, the first legendary Emperor Huang Di was said to have been immortalized into a dragon that resembled his emblem, and ascended to Heaven. Since the Chinese consider Huang Di as their ancestor, they sometimes refer to themselves as "the descendants of the dragon." This legend also contributed towards the use of the Chinese dragon as a symbol of imperial power. The dragon, especially yellow or golden dragons with five claws on each foot, was a symbol for the emperor in many Chinese dynasties. The imperial throne was called the Dragon Throne. During the late Qing Dynasty, the dragon was even adopted as the national flag. It was a capital offense for commoners to wear clothes with a dragon symbol. The dragon is featured in the carvings on the steps of imperial palaces and tombs, such as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

In some Chinese legends, an Emperor might be born with a birthmark in the shape of a dragon. For example, one legend tells the tale of a peasant born with a dragon birthmark who eventually overthrows the existing dynasty and founds a new one; another legend might tell of the prince in hiding from his enemies who is identified by his dragon birthmark.In contrast, the Empress of China was often identified with the Fenghuang.

Other Cultures

While Chinese mythology believes that the dragon originated from China before spreading throughout Asia, there are other similar yet different cultural representations of the dragon. Below is a list of the most prevaliant.

Japanese Dragon

A Japanese dragon, also known as ryū or tatsu (竜 or 龍, "dragon") is similar to the Chinese dragon in that it is usually depicted as a large, fantastic, serpent-like being, wingless, with small clawed legs and a horned or antlered mammalian head, and in art can generally be distinguished from other East-Asian dragons in that it has only three toes, rather than the Chinese dragon which has five. [7]

One of the first dragon-like creatures in Japanese myth is the Yamata-no-Orochi, an enormous girl-devouring serpent with eight heads and eight tails which was slain by Susanoo. Dragons in later Japanese folklore were often much more benign, perhaps because of a heavy influence from China. They appear in famous tales such as My Lord Bag of Rice, in which a hero must kill a giant centipede which is devouring the children of the dragon king of Lake Biwa. In Urashima Tarō, the title character rescues a turtle which turns out to be the daughter of Ryūjin, the dragon king of the ocean.[8]

Vietnamese Dragon

File:Dragonvietnam.gif
Vietnamese dragon, Ly dynasty

In Vietnam, the dragon (Vietnamese: rồng or long) is the most important and sacred symbol. According to the ancient creation myth of the Vietnamese people, all Vietnamese people are descended from a dragon.

To Vietnamese people, the dragon brings rain, essential for agriculture. It represents the King, the prosperity and power of the nation. Like the Chinese dragon, the Vietnamese dragon is the symbol of yang, representing the universe, life, existence, and growth.

The 5th-generation grandson of Shennong, Lạc Long Quân, in dragonkind, king of Đông sea, married a fairy, Âu Cơ, in birdkind, daughter of king Đế Lai. Âu Cơ bore 100 eggs, which hatched into 100 sons. The first-born son became the king of Lạc Việt, the first dynasty of Vietnam, proclaimed himself Emperor Hùng Vương The First (who was then followed by Hùng Vương The Second, Hùng Vương The Third and so on, through 18 reigns). This is the origin of the Vietnamese proverb: "Con Rồng, cháu Tiên" ("Children of Dragon, Grandchildren of Fairy").

Hùng Vương taught citizens to tattoo dragon images on their chest, abdomen and thigh to protect them against orca.

The Vietnamese dragon is the combined image of crocodile, snake, lizard and bird. Historically, Vietnamese people lived near rivers, so they venerated crocodiles as "Giao Long," the first kind of Vietnamese dragon.

There are some kinds of dragons found on archaeological objects: crocodile-dragons (dragons with crocodile head and snake body). The cat-dragon excavated on a glazed terracotta piece in Bac Ninh has some features of Dai Viet period dragon: it does not have a crocodile head, its head is shorter and it has a long neck, its wing and backfin are long lines, and its whiskers and fur are found in the Dai Viet dragon image.

Korean Drangon

Chinese dragon
Yongsan Dragon 4.jpg
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised Romanization yong
McCune-Reischauer yong


The Korean dragon is a certain type of dragon associated with Korean mythology. Like its peers, the Korean dragon is culture-specific, which means it has unique properties that differentiate it from dragons in other cultures. It is generally comparable to its Chinese counterpart in appearance and cultural significance.

Whereas most dragons in Western mythology are generally related to the elements of fire and destruction, dragons in Korean mythology are mostly viewed as benevolent beings related to water and agriculture, often considered bringers of rain and clouds. Hence, many Korean dragons are said to have resided in rivers, lakes, oceans or even deep ponds within mountains.

The symbol of the dragon has been used extensively, both in Korean mythology and ancient Korean art. Politically, the dragon represents the Emperor, who himself was associated with rain and agriculture. Hence, those who used the title of King (Wang) were forbidden from wearing dragon adornments; the phoenix is the creature traditionally associated with a king.

Ancient texts sometimes mention sentient speaking dragons, capable of understanding such complex emotions such as devotion, kindness, and gratitude. One particular Korean legend speaks of the great King Munmu, who on his deathbed wished to become a "Dragon of the East Sea in order to protect Korea."

The Korean dragon was said to have certain specific traits: no wings, for example, in addition to a long beard.

Very occasionally a dragon may be depicted as carrying a dragon orb known as the Yeo-ui-ju (여의주) in one or more of its claws. It was said that whoever could wield the Yeo-ui-ju was blessed with the abilities of omnipotence and creation at will, and that only four-toed dragons (those which had thumbs to hold the orbs) were both wise and powerful enough to wield these orbs (as opposed to the lesser, three-toed dragons).

As with Chinese dragons, the number nine is significant with Korean dragons and they are said to have 81 (=9x9) scales on their backs.

Imugi

A close relative to the dragon is a native Korean mythological creature known as an Imugi (이무기). There are different stories about the Imugi: Some, for example, say that they are hornless creatures resembling dragons but have been cursed, and thus were unable to become dragons. Other say that an Imugi is a proto-dragon which must survive one thousand years in order to become a fully fledged dragon. In either case they are said to be large benevolent python-like creatures that live in the waters or caves. Their sighting is associated with good luck.

Footnotes

  1. "Jade coiled dragon, Hongshan Culture (c. 4700-2920 B.C.E.)", National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Retrieved on 23-02-2007.
  2. Crystal. Ellie. (2007) ["Chinese Dragon"] Retrieved April 17, 2007
  3. China Information Internet Center (2005) ["The Chinese Dragon"] Retrieved April 17, 2007
  4. People's Daily On-line (2001) ["Chinese Dragon Originates From Primitive Agriculture: Archeologist"] Retrieved April 17, 2007
  5. Rubin, Norman A. (2005)["The Four Dragon Kings: Chinese Gods of Water"] Retrieved April 17, 2007
  6. (2006) Chinese Zodiac ["Chinese Zodiac - Dragon"] Retrieved April 17, 2007
  7. Schumacher, Mark. (2006)["Dragon Lore From Japan"] Retrieved April 17, 2007
  8. Schumacher, Mark. (2006)["Dragon Lore From Japan"] Retrieved April 17, 2007

External links

External links


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