Da Jia Hao! Hello, everybody! We have been on, or, are about to go
on a learning journey not only with a new language, but also with a
different culture. Together we will make this learning fun and exciting.
Some of my students have asked me about the association of Chinese culture
to the symbol of dragon. I did not have a direct answer. After researching
on
the Internet I have found a few different versions about this Chinese
legend. The Chinese people have called themselves descendants of the dragon
for over several thousand years. According to one of these sources, the
origin of this legend could have come from the ancient worshiping of a
totem, on which a dragon had been engraved. Why was there a dragon on a
totem? According to the source, in early Chinese civilization there were
good chances that the people had been afflicted with severe flood problems.
Perhaps there was snake-like water creature living in the region, and the
people believed that this creature possessed superior power. By worshiping
this creature the people believed it might help them to prevent inundations,
which had destroyed their crops, homes, and property. With the course of
time and the people's imagination, the capability scope of this creature
reached legendary properties. Feet also were added to the form of the
dragon's body. It finally evolved to become the form of dragon symbol that
exists everywhere in China today.
Throughout the different Chinese dynasties, it was not uncommon for the
emperors to call themselves the Sons of the Heavenly Dragon to
authenticate their ruling power. From the top of the hierarchy down to the
lowest commoner the tradition of worshiping and associating with the dragon
has lasted almost as long as China itself.
Still there are inadequate explanations or understandings on the origin of
the Chinese association with dragon. It is, however, the students'
enthusiasm of learning about a different culture that I deeply appreciate.
See you in class.
