Topic 10. Chinese Dragon CultureTopic 10. Chinese Dragon Culture

I. European DragonsI. European Dragons

II. Chinese Dragons’ Origin II. Chinese Dragons’ Origin and its Imageand its Image

III. Many Symbols of DragonIII. Many Symbols of Dragon

IV. Dragon and idioms IV. Dragon and idioms

I. European DragonsI. European Dragons

European dragonsEuropean dragons– They are legendary creatures in folklore and They are legendary creatures in folklore and

mythologymythology– Two implications Two implications

Dragon is usually portrayed as evil in many countriesDragon is usually portrayed as evil in many countries– Aggrasive and warlikeAggrasive and warlike

In some countries it is portrayed as hero In some countries it is portrayed as hero – It is National symbol of WelsIt is National symbol of Wels

It is part of the It is part of the national flagnational flag– It is seen as a protector of It is seen as a protector of Slovenia Slovenia

Features of European dragonsFeatures of European dragons– Many modern stories represent dragons as Many modern stories represent dragons as

extremely intelligent creatures extremely intelligent creatures They can talk, associated with powerful magic.They can talk, associated with powerful magic.

– In the modern period the dragon is typically In the modern period the dragon is typically depicted as depicted as

a huge fire-breathing, scaly and horned a huge fire-breathing, scaly and horned

dinosaur-like creature, with two big wings, four legs dinosaur-like creature, with two big wings, four legs and a long muscular tail and a long muscular tail

II. Chinese Dragons’ Origin and its II. Chinese Dragons’ Origin and its Image Image

Origin of the concept of dragonOrigin of the concept of dragon– Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in

Chinese mythology and folkloreChinese mythology and folklore– HistoryHistory

It originated with the Yellow Emperor( 2696 - 2598 BIt originated with the Yellow Emperor( 2696 - 2598 BC)C)Some scholars believe that it originated from totems Some scholars believe that it originated from totems of different tribes in Chinaof different tribes in ChinaIt was imagened as a giant with super-natural forceIt was imagened as a giant with super-natural force

– Ancient people did not understand thunders, bolts, floods, Ancient people did not understand thunders, bolts, floods, storms and tsunamisstorms and tsunamis

– It was thought the natural phenomenon were controlled by It was thought the natural phenomenon were controlled by dragonsdragons

The C-shaped The C-shaped jade dragon of jade dragon of Hongshan Hongshan CultureCulture– It was It was

unearthed in unearthed in Liaoning, ChinaLiaoning, China

– It dated from It dated from about 4700 BC about 4700 BC to 2900 BCto 2900 BC

– Earliest totem Earliest totem

Changes of the shape of dragonChanges of the shape of dragon

Shape of dragon Shape of dragon – Dragon is Dragon is

composed of composed of parts from some parts from some animals:animals:

the horns of a the horns of a deer; deer;

The mouth of a The mouth of a alligatoralligator

the body of a the body of a snake;snake;

the scales of a the scales of a fish;fish;

the claws of an the claws of an eagle;eagle;

the ears of an ox. the ears of an ox.

III. Many Symbols of Chinese III. Many Symbols of Chinese DragonDragon

Symbol of strong force Symbol of strong force – Ruler of weather and sea waterRuler of weather and sea water

Many natural phenomenon were controlled by dragon Many natural phenomenon were controlled by dragon Thunders, bolts, floods, storms and tsunamisThunders, bolts, floods, storms and tsunamis

– According to According to mythologic story, mythologic story, it is called the kings it is called the kings of the sea dragons of the sea dragons （海龙王）（海龙王）

There were four There were four 海龙王海龙王– 东海龙王东海龙王– 西海龙王西海龙王– 南海龙王南海龙王– 北海龙王北海龙王

They lived in the dragon palaces under oceansThey lived in the dragon palaces under oceansThey were worshiped by the people to beg rain fall, stop flThey were worshiped by the people to beg rain fall, stop floods, etc oods, etc

Symbol of power and authority Symbol of power and authority – Chinese emperors thought they were the real Chinese emperors thought they were the real

dragons and the sons of the heavendragons and the sons of the heaven （真龙天（真龙天子） 子）

– Dragon bedDragon bed 龙床 龙床 – Dragon chairDragon chair 龙椅龙椅– Dragon robeDragon robe 龙袍龙袍– Dragon body Dragon body 龙体龙体 ; “; “ 龙体欠安” 龙体欠安” – Dragon son Dragon son 龙子龙子– Also dragons can be seen on the buildings in tAlso dragons can be seen on the buildings in t

he imperial palace. he imperial palace.

Symbol of Chinese nationSymbol of Chinese nation– All people in China, including the emperor, proAll people in China, including the emperor, pro

strated themselves before the image of a dragstrated themselves before the image of a dragon with reverence and awe. on with reverence and awe.

– This unreal animal became the spiritual susteThis unreal animal became the spiritual sustenancenance

– Dragon is symbol of ChinaDragon is symbol of China““ 世界的东方有一条龙，它的名字叫中国”世界的东方有一条龙，它的名字叫中国”

– Dragon on the national flag of the last feudal dDragon on the national flag of the last feudal dynasty, the Qing Dynasty.  ynasty, the Qing Dynasty. 

– The dragon is always used in the West as a The dragon is always used in the West as a national symbol of Chinanational symbol of China

Talking about two Asian powers, China and India Talking about two Asian powers, China and India rising up, it is always maintioned that dragon and rising up, it is always maintioned that dragon and elephant are competing elephant are competing

– Officially this usage is not common in China.Officially this usage is not common in China.– In European-influenced cultures, the dragon In European-influenced cultures, the dragon

has aggressive and warlike implicationhas aggressive and warlike implicationChinese government avoid using it as a symbol of Chinese government avoid using it as a symbol of ChinaChina

– West media use it in both goodwill and ill-West media use it in both goodwill and ill-intention intention

““Descendants of the dragon” Descendants of the dragon” （龙的传（龙的传人）人）– It is the same as “ descendants of Yan and It is the same as “ descendants of Yan and

Huang” Huang” （炎黄子孙）（炎黄子孙）– The earliest Emperors Yan Di and Huang Di The earliest Emperors Yan Di and Huang Di

were closely related to dragonwere closely related to dragonThe first legendary Emperor, Huang Di, was said The first legendary Emperor, Huang Di, was said to have been immortalized into a dragon that went to have been immortalized into a dragon that went to Heaven. to Heaven.

The other legendary Emperor, Yan Di was born by The other legendary Emperor, Yan Di was born by his mother's telepathy with a mythic dragon. his mother's telepathy with a mythic dragon.

So the Chinese consider Huang Di and Yan Di as So the Chinese consider Huang Di and Yan Di as their ancestors, "their ancestors, "the descendants of the dragonthe descendants of the dragon". ".

Auspicious symbolAuspicious symbol– Some Chinese mascSome Chinese masc

ots ots MagpieMagpie

– Bring good news to yBring good news to you ou

Chinese unicorn Chinese unicorn – The Chinese unicThe Chinese unic

orn is named as orn is named as QilinQilin （麒麟） （麒麟） totoo. The Chinese uo. The Chinese unicorn is a lucky snicorn is a lucky supernatural animupernatural animal in China’s ancial in China’s ancient legend. ent legend.

– It symbolizes peaIt symbolizes peace and longevity ice and longevity in China.n China.

Red-Red-crowned crowned cranecrane– It is the It is the

symbol of symbol of long life. long life. The people The people often paint often paint red-red-crowned crowned crane and crane and tall pine tall pine together in together in China. China.

Lion Lion – The lion is the most The lion is the most

common in the common in the Chinese lucky Chinese lucky pattern. pattern.

– There are often two There are often two stone lions in front stone lions in front of the gate of of the gate of palace and local palace and local authorities. authorities.

– The male lion is on The male lion is on the left, the female the left, the female lion is on the right.lion is on the right.

The male lion The male lion symbolizes the symbolizes the power; power; the female lion the female lion symbolizes future symbolizes future generations generations prosperously.prosperously.

Pi XiuPi Xiu– It bring the wealth to you.It bring the wealth to you.

and it will protect its ma and it will protect its master wholeheartedlyster wholeheartedly

– It can counteract evil forIt can counteract evil force and bring the wealth ce and bring the wealth and good luck to its masand good luck to its master. ter.

– It has the mouth, but no It has the mouth, but no the anus. It regards jewthe anus. It regards jewel, gold and silver as fooel, gold and silver as food. it only eats money, and. it only eats money, and does not excrete. d does not excrete.

– So the businessman oftSo the businessman often puts Pi Xiu in the coen puts Pi Xiu in the company or home in China.mpany or home in China. It is said the richest ma It is said the richest man Li Jiacheng n Li Jiacheng （李嘉（李嘉诚）诚） in Hong Kong has in Hong Kong has 888 Pi Xiu.888 Pi Xiu.

Dragon and phoenix Dragon and phoenix （凤凰）（凤凰）– Dragon and phoenix is the auspicious animal in the ChinDragon and phoenix is the auspicious animal in the Chin

ese legend. ese legend. – They symbolize auspicious, joyous and noble. They symbolize auspicious, joyous and noble. – The dragon and phoenix pattern is generally used in the The dragon and phoenix pattern is generally used in the

Chinese wedding celebration.Chinese wedding celebration.– Both bridegroom and bride happy Both bridegroom and bride happy 龙凤呈祥龙凤呈祥– Dragon symbolizes male; Phoenix symbolizes femaleDragon symbolizes male; Phoenix symbolizes female– They symbolize couple harmoniously, the marriage is haThey symbolize couple harmoniously, the marriage is ha

ppy.ppy.– Son in law Son in law 乘龙快婿乘龙快婿– Pregnant with son and daughter Pregnant with son and daughter 龙凤胎龙凤胎– Dragon Year: auspicious Dragon Year: auspicious

Symbol of ability and successSymbol of ability and success– 望子成龙望子成龙– 北大一条虫，出去一条龙北大一条虫，出去一条龙

Dragon vs. worm Dragon vs. worm 虫虫

IV. Nine Dragons WallIV. Nine Dragons Wall （九龙（九龙壁）壁）

There are three nine-dragon walls in ChinaThere are three nine-dragon walls in China– The biggest and oldest one, located in Datong, The biggest and oldest one, located in Datong,

ShanxiShanxiIt was built in Liao Kingdom (916~1125 A.D); It was built in Liao Kingdom (916~1125 A.D);

– The most sophisticated and beautiful one is the one in The most sophisticated and beautiful one is the one in the Beihai (North Sea) Park in Beijing;the Beihai (North Sea) Park in Beijing;

– The third one is in front of the Ningyong Gate in the The third one is in front of the Ningyong Gate in the Forbidden CityForbidden City

Shape of the dragonsShape of the dragons– Each dragon is playing with a unique jewelry ball. Each dragon is playing with a unique jewelry ball. – The dragons were painted in different colors with The dragons were painted in different colors with

three dimension, and were handcrafted with the three dimension, and were handcrafted with the highest level of workmanship. highest level of workmanship.

The Nine Dragon Wall in Bei Hai ParkThe Nine Dragon Wall in Bei Hai Park– After hundreds of years the colors of the After hundreds of years the colors of the

ceramic tiles remain brilliant. ceramic tiles remain brilliant. The wall was built in 1756. The wall was built in 1756.

It is 21m long, about 15m high and 1.2m thick. It is 21m long, about 15m high and 1.2m thick.

It is faced with 424 7-color ceramic tiles. It is faced with 424 7-color ceramic tiles.

– There is a giant dragon at the center of the There is a giant dragon at the center of the wallwall

It is flanked by four dragons on each side. It is flanked by four dragons on each side.

In addition to these nine large dragons, the wall is In addition to these nine large dragons, the wall is covered from edge to edge with many smaller covered from edge to edge with many smaller dragons. dragons.

There are 635 dragons in all.There are 635 dragons in all.

V. Dragon in Traditional FestivalsV. Dragon in Traditional Festivals

The dragon also plays an important part in The dragon also plays an important part in Chinese festivals, especially in Chinese N.Y. Chinese festivals, especially in Chinese N.Y. The Dragon Dance The Dragon Dance – itself originated during the Han Dynasty and was itself originated during the Han Dynasty and was

started by the Chinese who had shown great belief started by the Chinese who had shown great belief and respect towards the dragon. and respect towards the dragon.

– It is believed to have begun as part of the farming It is believed to have begun as part of the farming and harvest culture, also with origins as a method of and harvest culture, also with origins as a method of healing and preventing sickness. healing and preventing sickness.

– It was already a popular event during the Song It was already a popular event during the Song DynastyDynasty

It had become a folk activity and like the lion dance, was It had become a folk activity and like the lion dance, was most often seen in festive celebrationsmost often seen in festive celebrations

– Dragon Dance has spread throughout China and to Dragon Dance has spread throughout China and to the whole world. the whole world.

It becomes a special performance of arts in the Chinese It becomes a special performance of arts in the Chinese physical activities. physical activities.

It symbolizes the bringing of good luck and prosperity in It symbolizes the bringing of good luck and prosperity in the year to come. the year to come.

In the Qing Dynasty, the Dragon Dance team of the In the Qing Dynasty, the Dragon Dance team of the province of Foochow had been invited to perform in province of Foochow had been invited to perform in Peking and had been greatly praised and admired by the Peking and had been greatly praised and admired by the Qing Emperor, which earned great fame for the teamQing Emperor, which earned great fame for the team

Since then, dragon dance was getting more and more Since then, dragon dance was getting more and more popularpopular

The dragon dance is a highlight of Chinese New Year The dragon dance is a highlight of Chinese New Year celebrations celebrations

It was held worldwide in Chinatowns around the world. It was held worldwide in Chinatowns around the world.

– The Dragon Boat FestivalThe Dragon Boat Festival 龙舟节龙舟节This festival is celebrated on 5This festival is celebrated on 5thth of fifth lunar month of fifth lunar month

It is also called Duanwu Festival It is also called Duanwu Festival 端午节端午节The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a significant hThe Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a significant holiday celebrated in Chinaoliday celebrated in China

It has a longest history. It has a longest history.

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated by boat racThe Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated by boat races in the shape of dragons. es in the shape of dragons.

– Competing teams row their boats forward with a drumbeaCompeting teams row their boats forward with a drumbeat, racing to reach the finish endt, racing to reach the finish end

It is almost purely dragon-related festival, which beIt is almost purely dragon-related festival, which becomes popular international events now. comes popular international events now.

The boating is traditional custom to attempt to comThe boating is traditional custom to attempt to commemorate patriotic poet Qu Yuan memorate patriotic poet Qu Yuan （屈原）（屈原）

– He drowned on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 27He drowned on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 277 B.C. 7 B.C.

– When people were seeing his drowning, they rowed boatWhen people were seeing his drowning, they rowed boats to rescue hes to rescue he

– Later, on this day every year, dragon race was heldLater, on this day every year, dragon race was held– Chinese citizens now throw bamboo leaves filled with coChinese citizens now throw bamboo leaves filled with co

oked rice into the water so that the fish could eat the rice oked rice into the water so that the fish could eat the rice rather than Qu Yuan’s body. rather than Qu Yuan’s body.

– Today, to celebrate this festival, there are three things to Today, to celebrate this festival, there are three things to dodo

Dragon boat race Dragon boat race

Eat Eat 粽子 粽子

Qu YuanQu Yuan – It served as minister to the Chou Emperor during the It served as minister to the Chou Emperor during the

Warring State period. Warring State period. – He did much to fight against political corruption in the He did much to fight against political corruption in the

court-- thereby earning the envy and fear of other court-- thereby earning the envy and fear of other officialsofficials

– Therefore, when he urged the emperor to avoid conflict Therefore, when he urged the emperor to avoid conflict with the Qin Kingdom, the officials pressured the with the Qin Kingdom, the officials pressured the Emperor to have him removed from service. Emperor to have him removed from service.

– In exile, he traveled, taught and wrote for several yearsIn exile, he traveled, taught and wrote for several years– Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by the Qin, he Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by the Qin, he

fell into despair and threw himself into a River. fell into despair and threw himself into a River.

VI. Dragon and idiomsVI. Dragon and idioms

叶公好龙叶公好龙– ““Lord Ye's Love of Dragons” or “Mr. Ye loves dragon” Lord Ye's Love of Dragons” or “Mr. Ye loves dragon” – It means that somebody would not really like somethiIt means that somebody would not really like somethi

ng, but he orally always says he like it very, very mucng, but he orally always says he like it very, very much.h.

– Lord Ye says he loves dragons deeply. Lord Ye says he loves dragons deeply. He had dragons everywhere in his home.He had dragons everywhere in his home.

He drew dragons on walls, sculptured dragons on pillars, put He drew dragons on walls, sculptured dragons on pillars, put dragons on tables and everywhere dragons on tables and everywhere

He was thinking of dragons all the time. He was thinking of dragons all the time.

– One day, his love of dragons moved a real dragon, so One day, his love of dragons moved a real dragon, so the dragon came to visit him. the dragon came to visit him.

– When he saw the real dragon, he was frightened to dWhen he saw the real dragon, he was frightened to death.eath.

龙飞凤舞龙飞凤舞– It is to describe somebody’s Chinese calligrapIt is to describe somebody’s Chinese calligrap

hy. Two meaningshy. Two meaningsCaoshu (Caoshu ( 草书草书 ): praise): praise

Kaishu (Kaishu ( 楷书楷书 ): criticize or satirize ): criticize or satirize

龙腾虎跃龙腾虎跃– Describe a occasion or a scene very active Describe a occasion or a scene very active – 腾、跃：腾、跃： move, act and jump up and down qmove, act and jump up and down q

uickly like dragon and uickly like dragon and phoenixphoenix

生龙活虎生龙活虎– Similar to aboveSimilar to above– Describe persons with active energy Describe persons with active energy

““ 四小龙”、“四小虎”四小龙”、“四小虎”

Dragons in Thai social life?Dragons in Thai social life?