The Symbolic Meanings of DragThe Symbolic Meanings of Dragons between Eastons between East and and West West

Choi Wan Sze, Angel (07008058)Yau Kai Man, Manson (07011660)

I. IntroductionI. Introduction• DragonDragonss areare the the legendary creatureslegendary creatures that exists in that exists in

both both EEastasternern and and WWestern civilization.estern civilization.

• Dragons in Dragons in EEast and ast and WWest are similar in physical est are similar in physical features but represent very different meanings. features but represent very different meanings.

• EasternEastern ddragonsragons or Loong ( or Loong ( 龍龍 ):): power, power, immortalitimmortality, activity and good fortuney, activity and good fortune

• Western Western ddragon or European dragons: devil, ragon or European dragons: devil, enemies, cold-bloodedenemies, cold-blooded

• Reflect the cultural difference between East and WeReflect the cultural difference between East and West st

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II. II. Physical Physical AAppearances of ppearances of Eastern Eastern and Western Dand Western Dragonsragons

• Eastern Dragons: Eastern Dragons:

Looks like a combination of Looks like a combination of many animals such as many animals such as snakes and eagles, and had snakes and eagles, and had no wingsno wings

Each one of its four short Each one of its four short legs had five toeslegs had five toes

Even though depicted Even though depicted without wings the Chinese without wings the Chinese dragon is believed to flydragon is believed to fly

Often in red or goldOften in red or goldYau Kai Man, Manson

II. II. Physical Physical AAppearances of ppearances of Eastern Eastern and Western Dand Western Dragonsragons

• Western DragonsWestern Dragons: :

Typically depicted as a hugTypically depicted as a huge fire-breathing, scaly and he fire-breathing, scaly and horned dinosaur-like creatureorned dinosaur-like creature

With bat-type wings growinWith bat-type wings growing from its backg from its back

Have four legs and a long mHave four legs and a long muscular tailuscular tail

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III. III. Symbolic meanings of DragonSymbolic meanings of Dragons is in the Eastn the East

• AsianAsian dragons: divine, power, dragons: divine, power, imimmortality, procreation, fertility, amortality, procreation, fertility, activity and good fortune ctivity and good fortune

• In most cases, dragons represent In most cases, dragons represent a very positive images in a very positive images in the Eastthe Easternern culture culture, particularly in , particularly in ChinaChina.. It is believed that they can It is believed that they can keep people away from evil spiritkeep people away from evil spirits. s.

• Credited with having great powerCredited with having great powers that allowed them to make rain s that allowed them to make rain and to control floods.and to control floods.

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III. III. Symbolic Symbolic MMeanings of Dragoneanings of Dragons is in the Eastn the East

• All dragons from Japan and Korea aAll dragons from Japan and Korea are derived from the Chinese dragons,re derived from the Chinese dragons, so they have similar symbolic meani so they have similar symbolic meanings.ngs.

• Chinese people regards themselves Chinese people regards themselves as the descendants of dragonas the descendants of dragonss. .

• Legendary figures like Nüwa (Legendary figures like Nüwa ( 女媧女媧 ) ) and Fuxi (and Fuxi ( 伏羲伏羲 ) are depicted as hav) are depicted as having ing human face with human face with snakesnake/dragon/dragon b bodies.odies.

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An image of Japanese dragon

Nüwa (Nüwa ( 女媧女媧 )) and and Fuxi (Fuxi ( 伏羲伏羲 ))

Nüwa (女媧 ):

•Mother of mankind

•Female

Fuxi (伏羲 ):

•Father of mankind

•Male

A famous myth of Chinese dragons:

After a serious flooding, the two dragons brother and sister, Nüwa and Fuxi, survived.

The dragons married and gave birth to the Chinese. Therefore, the Chinese are the “descendants of dragons.”

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Chinese Chinese Dragons as Dragons as SSymbol ofymbol of A Authorituthorityy

• In ancient days the dragon was In ancient days the dragon was regarded as the most sacred regarded as the most sacred animal.animal.

• The dragon was a symbol for the The dragon was a symbol for the emperor in many Chinese emperor in many Chinese dynasties. Chinese emperors dynasties. Chinese emperors think they are the real dragons think they are the real dragons and the sons of heaven. and the sons of heaven.

• It was an offense for commoners It was an offense for commoners to wear clothes with a dragon to wear clothes with a dragon symbol. symbol.

• The dragon is featured in the The dragon is featured in the carvings on the steps of imperial carvings on the steps of imperial palaces and tombs.palaces and tombs.

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Chinese Chinese Dragons as Dragons as SSymbol ofymbol of A Authorituthorityy• Dragon is the symbol of the imperial authority and the Emperor in Dragon is the symbol of the imperial authority and the Emperor in

China.China.• Dragons architecture, dragon motif and the yellow color are restricte

d to the royalty only.

During the late Qing Dynasty, the dragon was even adopted as the national flag.

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Nine Dragon Wall in Forbidden CityTai-Tsung, Tang Dyn

asty (626-649) with his imperial robe.

IV. IV. Symbolic Symbolic MMeanings of Dragoneanings of Dragons is in the Westn the West

• European dragons are also legendEuropean dragons are also legendary creatures in Europe.ary creatures in Europe.

• In England, there are myths and lIn England, there are myths and legends of dragons needing to be kiegends of dragons needing to be killed by brave Princes to protect pelled by brave Princes to protect people from their cruelty. ople from their cruelty.

• Generally, dragon is a symbol of Generally, dragon is a symbol of evil in the eyes’ of the evil in the eyes’ of the WWestern estern peoplepeople, it is aggressive and cold-bl, it is aggressive and cold-bloodedooded. .

• Its symbolic meanings are very difIts symbolic meanings are very different from the Asian dragon.ferent from the Asian dragon.

An image of evil dragon described in the Bible

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Dragons as Dragons as SSymbol ymbol ofof EEvilvil

The “Japanese Dragon” and “Nazi Dragon” in WWII

As a symbol of devil, dragon is often used as a figure to represent the enemies of the Western world.

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““Dragons” in WWIIDragons” in WWII

The “Appeaser” in the middle is calling the “Nazi Dragons” go back home by giving them Lollypop, showing criticisms to the Appeasement Policy before WWII.

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Dragons are used to represent the terrorists in the Dragons are used to represent the terrorists in the “War on Terror”“War on Terror”

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Exception: Exception: European Dragons as European Dragons as SSymbol ofymbol of AAuthorituthorityy

• The European dragons The European dragons were not always were not always regarded as a symbol regarded as a symbol of of evil.evil.

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Dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana, capital city of Slovenia

Exception: Exception: European Dragons as European Dragons as SSymbol ofymbol of A Authorituthorityy

The Welsh red dragon is found in both the national flag and royal badge of Wales.

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V. Misconception of Chinese Dragons V. Misconception of Chinese Dragons by the Westby the West

• AsianAsian dragons in dragons in thethe eyes eyes of Westerners areof Westerners are not always clearly distinguished from thenot always clearly distinguished from their ir evil dragonsevil dragons. .

• Misunderstanding of Chinese dragons by thMisunderstanding of Chinese dragons by the West hurts the image of China.e West hurts the image of China.

• The The Western styleWestern style dragons are widely used dragons are widely used in political cartoonin political cartoonss to show criticism to the to show criticism to the PRC PRC GGovernmentovernment..

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When the When the EasternEastern and Western Dragons meet: and Western Dragons meet: China=Dragon=Devils?China=Dragon=Devils?

Nowadays, in the eyes of the West, the threat of China is sometimes linked to the evil dragon.

Choi Wan Sze, AngelBoycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

The Chinese dragon was drawn with the tail of devil. This shows the threat of the huge and evil dragon (China) of bringing “danger” by her money policy.

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President Hu of PRC became an angry and terrible dragon after George W. Bush mentioned that his next stop is Taiwan.

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The West depicted China’s economy as a fat dragon which flies at the expense of human rights.

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China’s economy is represented by a Western style evil dragon that enslaves the cow of Wall Street (US economy)

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Interesting Term: Dragon LadyInteresting Term: Dragon Lady• Westerners use the term “dragon lady” to describe women as mean, Westerners use the term “dragon lady” to describe women as mean,

deceitful, powerful, or domineeringdeceitful, powerful, or domineering ..• Less in common with such terms in Chinese as loong nü (Dragon woLess in common with such terms in Chinese as loong nü (Dragon wo

men), which represents women of purity and inviolability.men), which represents women of purity and inviolability.

Dragon Lady versus Little Dragon Woman (小龍女 ) Choi Wan Sze, Angel

VI. Conclusion:VI. Conclusion:Is the Dragon a Suitable Symbol for China?Is the Dragon a Suitable Symbol for China?

Is China like this? Choi Wan Sze, Angel

Is the Dragon a Suitable Symbol for Is the Dragon a Suitable Symbol for China?China?

• Recently, China has tried to disassociate itself froRecently, China has tried to disassociate itself from the dragon symbol due to the negative political m the dragon symbol due to the negative political connotations associated with it. connotations associated with it.

• In 2006, a Shanghai professor (Wu Youfu) suggestIn 2006, a Shanghai professor (Wu Youfu) suggested that the dragon should no longer symbolize Chied that the dragon should no longer symbolize Chinana

Aroused immediate objections from the publicAroused immediate objections from the public

• Since the image of the dragon had a threatening wSince the image of the dragon had a threatening war like perception in the eyes of the West, the Chinar like perception in the eyes of the West, the Chinese wanted to replace that image with a softer symese wanted to replace that image with a softer symbol. The alternative was the giant panda. bol. The alternative was the giant panda.

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Is the Dragon a Suitable Symbol for China?Is the Dragon a Suitable Symbol for China?

• However…However…

• The Chinese dragon symbol still occupies a special The Chinese dragon symbol still occupies a special place in modern Chinese society. place in modern Chinese society.

• From advertisement campaigns to T-shirts, From advertisement campaigns to T-shirts, posters and tattoos the symbol of the dragon can posters and tattoos the symbol of the dragon can be seen throughout the streets of China.  be seen throughout the streets of China. 

• As a symbol of China, the dragon is deep-rooted in As a symbol of China, the dragon is deep-rooted in Chinese culture. It is not something that can be Chinese culture. It is not something that can be replaced simply because it is misinterpreted by the replaced simply because it is misinterpreted by the West.West.

Choi Wan Sze, Angel

~ End ~~ End ~