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Dragon Chinese Zodiac Sign: Symbolism in Chinese Culture
As a unique kind of cultural cohesion and accumulation, the image of the Dragon is deeply rooted in the minds of the Chinese people. Not only is the Dragon culture imprinted in the daily lives (birth and old age, sickness and death) of the people, but it also penetrates all aspects of social life aesthetically.
Symbolizing Power, Nobleness and Honor
The Dragon is related to everything in China, symbolizing power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture.
Before Zhu Geliang (181 – 234), the later chief minister of the state of Shu (221 – 263) of the Three Kingdoms Period (220 – 280), became famous, he often compared himself to Guan Zhong (719 – 645 BC), the chief minister of the State of Qi (391–221 BC) of the Spring and Autumn Period (770 – 476 BC), and Yue Yi, the chief marshal of the State of Yan (11th century–222 BC) of the Warring States Period (475 – 221 BC).
Zhu Geliang also called himself “the Gentleman of Crouching Dragon” which symbolized a man with great ambition and talent, however, his talent remained unrecognized.
People often compare snakes with dragons, however, there are many varieties of snakes and they are commonly seen. As a matter of fact, the Dragon and the Snake are not on the same level, therefore, people use the phrase “a mingling of dragons and snakes” to describe a mix of good and evil.
The legend went that the Dragon and the Snake were from the same family in ancient times, but the Dragon despised the Snake for showing its excellence after they broke up the family and lived apart, and the Dragon even planned to kill the Snake.
Legend of the Dragon and the Snake
The most representative legend about the Dragon and the Snake was vividly demonstrated in the experience of Liu Bang (256 – 195 BC), who became Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty. It was said that Liu Ao (mother of Liu Bang) bore Liu Bang by dreaming of copulating with a dragon.
Liu Bang was an ambitious man from an early age, who encountered a snake as it got in his way in the wild, and he cut it into halves with his sword. An old woman told people that she saw a dragon killing a snake in the wild; therefore, the people believed that Liu Bang was the incarnation of the Dragon.
In the late Qin Dynasty (221 – 206C), Liu Bang rose in rebellion against the Qin Empire and defeated his opponents one after another. He established the Han Dynasty (206 – 220 AD) that lasted for over 400 years in the history of China.
Symbolizing Prominence
The wise and profound scholars were called “Dragons” by the ancient people. Cai Yi, the scholar-bureaucrat of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 – 220), was known as the drunken Dragon due to his indulgence for drinking wine. Later, those who were skilled in calligraphy and painting, and those who held official positions were also called “Dragons”.
The ancient people also used the phrase “long to see one’s son become a Dragon” to express their best wishes to the next generation, which meant they hoped their children would have a bright future.
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IWeb TEFL Team