Chinese Dragon Culture
Dragons are deeply rooted in the Chinese culture.
The Chinese often consider themselves, ‘the descendants of the dragon.’ Nobody really knows where the dragon comes from. The dragon looks like a combination of many animals. For the Chinese people, Dragons were described visually as a composite of parts from nine animals: The horns of a deer; the head of a camel; the eyes of a devil; the neck of a snake; the abdomen of a large cockle; the scales of a carp; the claws of an eagle; the paws of a tiger; and the ears of an ox.
In China, the Dragon was credited with having great powers that allowed them to make rain and to control floods (by striking the river with its tail, causing it to open and thus divert the floodwaters). Dragons are credited for transportation of humans to the celestial realms after death. Also, in China, Dragons are symbols of the natural world, adaptability, and transformation. When two dragons are placed together but turned away, they symbolize eternity via the famous Yin-Yang.
Chinese emperors think they are the real dragons and the sons of heaven. Thus the beds they sleep on are called the dragon beds, the throne called the dragon seat, and the emperor’s ceremonial dresses called the dragon robes.
In ancient China nobody had any doubts about the existence of dragons. People showed great respect for any dragon depicted in pictures, carvings and writings, and as a result the dragon became the symbol of Chinese nation. All the people in China, including the emperor, prostrated themselves before the image of a dragon with reverence and awe. As a result, this unreal animal became the spiritual sustenance for a nation: firstly, as the totem of a tribe and then as the symbol of the nation. Eventually it became the sign on the national flag of the last feudal dynasty, the Qing Dynasty.
There are nine ways the Chinese have traditionally represented these dragons, each one revealing a different dragon characteristic. There are dragons carved on the tops of bells and gongs, because of the beast’s habit of calling loudly when attacked.
A second type is carved on the screws of fiddles, since most dragons are fond of music.
A third is carved on the tops of stone tablets, because of dragons’ love of literature.
A fourth is found at the bottom of stone monuments, as dragons can support heavy weights.
A fifth is placed on the eaves of temples, as dragons are ever alert to danger.
A sixth occurs on the beams of bridges, since dragons are fond of water.
A seventh is carved on Buddha’s throne, as dragons like to rest.
An eighth is placed on the hilts of swords, since dragons are known to be capable of slaughter.
The ninth is carved on prison gates, as these are dragons that are fond of quarreling and trouble making.
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By xtaatxw, 18/12/2009 @ 20:13
Chinese Dragon for me, in my opinion is a mystery, although it is only out of people’s characterization.In Chinese mythology and legend, is a miraculous animal with Yi Shen, lizard legs, talons, tail, antlers, fish scales, mouth and whiskers, the amount of beads under the image.
http://world-culture-research.org/c.asp?d=15352
By fuckinuseless, 19/12/2009 @ 10:59
Dear Author http://www.i-chinastyle.com !
Yes, really. So happens.
By Geomassa, 26/12/2009 @ 00:16
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
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By Vivian, 30/12/2009 @ 11:09
Yes, you can post in your blog.
Now we don’t have twitter account. But maybe we will apply soon. Wish you like our blog and tell your friends. We want to let more people know chinese culture.