Annotation #8
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHINESE DRAGON AND A WESTERN DRAGON
Dragons are probably the single most important mythical creatures in Chinese culture. They appear in multiple national celebrations, Chinese idioms (known asChengyu), as well as being part of the Chinese zodiac. They adorn multiple buildings and doors as carvings, are weaved into fabrics for traditional Chinese clothes, and are painted in murals and used in dances to this day. Unlike their Western or European counterparts, Chinese dragons are loved and worshiped. Chinese people consider themselves to be descended from the dragon.
ARE DRAGONS GOOD OR EVIL?
Chinese dragons are considered very auspicious and lucky. They are magical beings that can cause weather changes and summon rain. Because Chinese society was founded on agriculture that thrived during the wet season, Chinese dragons were seen as deities and were worshiped. However according to Chinese folklore, the dragon is not without a temper; whenever there was severe flooding or heavy winds, the people would burn incense and sacrifice plates of food to the dragon to appease it. In fact, the Chinese word for tornado is “龙卷风(lóngjuǎnfēng)” or “dragon twisting wind.”
Chinese dragons are part of the harmonious forces yin and yang, which play a large part in Chinese philosophy. Dragons are classified as yang, and considered bright, masculine, and solar. The phoenix is yin, which is dark, feminine, and lunar. AtChinese weddings, these two creatures appear together as symbols of harmony.
DIFFERENCES IN APPEARANCE IN CHINESE VS. WESTERN DRAGONS:
Besides their stark differences in disposition and qualities, Chinese dragons and Western dragons happen to look very different as well.
Chinese dragons are wingless, serpentine creatures. While they do not have wings, they are able to magically fly through clouds. If you look at paintings or carvings of Chinese dragons, you may notice that they are a hodge-podge of 9 other animals.
- antlers of a deer
- head of a camel
- eyes of a demon
- neck of a snake
- belly of a clam
- scales of acarp
- claws of aneagle
- paws of a tiger
- ears of anox
Chinese dragons do not typically breathe fire. Those who do were said to be sent from the heavens to earth as punishment. Chinese dragons are much better known for summoning rain, and were thus viewed as a benevolent deity that helped bring prosperity to the land. This is a stark contrast to dragons in European and other Western cultures, which would lay waste to armies and castles with their flamethrower breath.
Chinese dragons are reclusive and known as “water spirits,” unlike the European variety that are clearly terrestrial beings. Chinese dragons were said to reside at the bottom of lakes or oceans, and in the foggy skies. Western dragons often live in lairs or caves in mountains.
Western dragons are portrayed as much portlier creatures, with big claws and large, leathery bat-like wings. They look like giant lizards, and are often depicted with spines or rough scales.
DRAGONS IN CHINESE CULTURE:
Dragons are intricately intertwined with Chinese culture. The Chinese people saw themselves as “龙的传人(lóng de chuánrén) literally “decedents of the dragon.” The emperor’s seat was known as “龙椅(lóngyǐ)” or “dragon chair.” Children born during the Year of the Dragon onthe Chinese zodiacare said to be wise, charismatic, and natural leaders. Whenever this year comes around, there is a spike in pregnancies and births.
The Chinese word for “dragon,” “龙(lóng)” is often used inChinese male namesbecause of its auspiciousness. Jackie Chan’s Chinese name is “成龙(ChéngLóng)” and Bruce Lee’s Chinese name is “李小龙(LǐXiǎolóng).”
At DuanWu Festival, people race dragon boats in celebration of summer. During Chinese New Year, a dragon dance is often performed with multiple dancers weaving a long dragon down the road.