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The Chinese dragon or Long (Traditional:龍; Simplifed:龙; pinyin: lóng; Cantonese Yale: lùhng; Hokkien: leng; Japanese: ryū　竜; Korean: ryong; hangul: 룡; Vietnamese: rồng) is a mythical creature. It is also often translated as "Oriental Dragon" because it also appears in other East Asian cultures. Usually depicted as a long, snake-like creature with numerous claws, it has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art. It is also the embodiment of the concept of yang and associated with the weather as the bringer of rain and water in general.

The dragon is sometimes viewed in the West as a national emblem of China. However, this usage within both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan is extremely rare. Firstly, this is because the dragon was the sign of the Emperor, and was on the national flag of the late Qing dynasty. These monarchist connotations run counter to recent Chinese ideologies. Secondly, the dragon has aggressive, warlike connotations which Chinese governments wish to avoid. It is for the latter reason that the giant panda is far more often used within China as a national emblem than the Chinese dragon.

Despite that, the dragon still commands much respect in the Chinese culture. It is a taboo to disfigure a depiction of a dragon; for example, an advertisement campaign commissioned by Nike, which featured the American basketball player LeBron James slaying a dragon (as well as beating up an old Kung Fu master), was immediately censored by the Chinese government after public outcry over the disrespect of the dragon.

A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms also feature references to the dragon, for example: "Hoping one's child will become a dragon (望子成龍, ie. be as successful and powerful as a dragon)".

Dragon Worship

Origin

There is no consensus on the origin of mythical Chinese dragon, but many scholars agree that it came from totems of different tribes in China. Some have suggested that it comes from a stylisied depiction of existing animals, such as snakes, fish, or crocodiles. For example, the Banpo site of the Yangshao culture in Shaanxi featured an elongated, snake-like fish motif. Archaeologists believe the "long fish" to have evolved into images of the Chinese dragon. The association with fish is reflected in the legend that a carp which is able to leap over the mythical "Dragon Gate" would become a dragon. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is used as an allegory for the drive and effort needed to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

An alternative view, advocated by He Xin, is that the early dragon depicted a species of crocodiles. Specifically, Crocodilus Porosis, an ancient, giant crocodile. The crocodile is known to be able to accurately sense changes in air pressure, and be able to sense coming rain. This may have been the origin of the dragon's mythical attributes in controlling the weather, especially the rain. In addition, there is evidence of crocodile worship in the ancient civilisations in Babylon, India, and Maya. The association with crocodile is also supported by the view in ancient times that large crocodiles is a variety of dragon in ancient times. 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.

Others have proposed that its shape is the merger of totems of various tribes as the result of the merger of tribes. Some scholars report that the first legendary emperor of China Huang Di (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.

There is no apparent connection to the western dragon.

The dragon as mythical creature

From its origins as totems or the stylisied depiction of natural creatures, the Chinese dragon evolved to become a mythical animal. By the Han Dynasty, the dragon's appearance is described as having a body of a snake; the scales and tail of a fish; the antlers of a stag; the face of a camel; and two pairs of talons of eagles; ears of a bull; feet of a tiger and the eyes of a demon. 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.

This description accords with the artistic depictions of the dragon down to the present day. By this time, the dragon has also acquired a wide range of super-natural powers. It is said to be able to disguise itself as a silkworm, or be so large that it covers the sky. It can fly among the clouds or hide in water (Guanzi). It can form clouds, can turn into water or fire, can become invisible or glow in the dark (Shuowen Jiezi).

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Chinese dragon ]

Games - Chinese dragon

Dragon Worship

Origin

The dragon as mythical creature

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