The Chinese Dragon

Karan Daftary's Photo [2]

Out of all existent and mythical creatures in Asian history, the dragon was the most important and the creature with the most misinterpretations. Unlike European dragons, Chinese dragons are considered beneficial, lucky, and are assumed to hold auspicious powers over climate. I believe that the dragon draws the line between fantasy and science. The dragon was only a means of describing what science could not describe at the time. As like many other religions, there is a singular source or person that controls the universe and the inner-workings of that universe. In the case of Chinese history, the dragon took that role. They are said to breathe clouds, move seasons, and control the water of rivers, lakes, and seas. [1] They are linked with yang, the masculine principle of heat, light and action, and opposed to yin, the feminine principle of coolness, darkness, and repose. They also represent power, strength, and good luck. Dragons are said to be in the deep waters in winter and to rise to the heavens from those waters in spring. [4] These dragons are often shown to possess a “Precious Pearl” which can symbolize worldly occurrences such as thunder, or be a philosophical sign linked with ideas of the ever-changing. In historic times, the Chinese dynasties would refer to their emperor as the True Dragon. The first occurrence of this was with Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming dynasty. In most portraits or paintings of Zhu, he is show to be wearing a dragon robe to symbolize his significance and his divine and omnipotent rule.  The dragon can also be a symbol of fertility and good fortune if represented amongst clouds. In essence, the dragon is one of the most important mythical creatures and has thoroughly influenced Chinese history. Dragons, like God, was responsible for all of the things that science at that time could not describe. Regardless of the true existence of such a being, there is still a fine line between science and religion. The same line can be even further defined when describing the dragons’ effects on science and fantasy. In a show called Dragon Ball, there exists a very notable dragon named Shenlong. He can be summoned if all seven of the dragon balls are united. Once summoned, he has the power to grant three wishes. Each of these wishes can also be something as serious as returning someone to life. [3] In a case like this, the dragon is clearly proven as fictitious. Clearly nothing has the ability to bring people back to life. Since science cannot support such an event, Akira Toriyama was easily able to turn to fantasy to include these events in his show. Most references to dragons nowadays are references to the Chinese industrial market, or to cultural events. For example, the dragon dance is part of festivals. These are performed as a tradition linked with the Lunar New Year. In Chinese communities all over the world, performers celebrate the season by parading through the streets moving a brightly colored dragon made of bamboo, cloth, and paper. This is the only lasting remnant of Chinese culture and tradition that even loosely implies the true existence of dragons. [4] Overall, I want to stress that dragons help clearly define the line between science and fantasy by assuming the role of fantasy when science cannot support certain events.

Works Cited

1. "Chinese dragon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., 7 June 2011. Web. 9 June 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Dragon>.

2. Daftary, Karan. Shenlong. 2011. Photograph. Fernbank Museum of Natural History's Mythich Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids, Atlanta, GA.

3. Dragon Ball Z. Toriyama, Akira. Fuji Television. 1986. Television.

4. Visser, Marinus Willem de. The dragon in China and Japan  . Amsterdam: J. Müller, 1913. Print.