We all know how much the Chinese revere dragons. These mythical creatures in the East carry only auspicious meaning and are mentioned in numerous myths. Why do the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire revere dragons so much? What does this symbol mean today?
Where did the dragon myths come from?
Dragon is a magnificent huge reptile that is mentioned in the myths and legends of different civilizations. Moreover, all these myths are very similar to each other. Scientists believe that the snake became the prototype of the dragon. Others are sure that the so-called descendants of dinosaurs, which people saw with their own eyes. On the other hand, many sailors swear they have seen lizard-like creatures in the oceans. Yes, and Komodo dragons are somewhat similar to these mythical creatures.
It is known that in ancient mythology dragons were directly involved in the creation of the world. They controlled the elements and subjugated people. It is noteworthy that in the East the dragon is considered good, and in the West - evil. The most popular is the Chinese dragon, which is still highly revered today.
Why a dragon?
According to legend, before the legendary Emperor Huangdi united the lands of China, the bear was a totem animal. However, after the unification, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire began to revere the dragon, which was depicted on the emblem of the emperor. Moreover, the Chinese believed that their ruler's ancestors were dragons. The latter were subsequently portrayed in a very unusual way: with the body of a snake and the head of a bear. By the way, some consider fish to be the prototype of the dragon, others are convinced that it was a crocodile. There is also the opinion of some historians who are sure that dinosaurs were the prototype of the dragon.
Descendants of dragons
Chinese culture can safely be called "dragon". The emperors of the Celestial Empire considered themselves the descendants of these reptiles, and ordinary people worshiped them like gods. However, they also believed that there were evil dragons that lived high in the mountains and cursed people.
Even today, the surname Long (this is the name of the hieroglyph for dragon) is common among the Chinese. About 2.8 million inhabitants of the Celestial Empire wear it. This is because they believe that a child whose name contains "moons" will be strong and reach heights. By the way, this character is present in the real names of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
Dragon image
The dragon combines the features of various animals, which makes it a collective, collective way. Therefore, his images on objects of applied art, paintings and rock paintingsdrawings are different. Most often, dragons were depicted as long snake-like creatures with four legs. What's more, dragons sometimes had cow ears, tiger claws, demonic eyes, and even deer horns.
In ancient manuscripts, you can find references to the fact that this mythical creature is able to become invisible, shrink in size and take on the appearance of any creature or object. When dragons enter into battle with each other, terrible storms and thunderstorms fall on the earth, the Chinese are sure. This is because they command all the elements and have immense power.
What does the dragon symbolize in China?
The Chinese Long Dragon is one of the four sacred animals. The three remaining are the turtle, the unicorn, and the phoenix. The meaning of the symbol is very multifaceted. The dragon is the personification of the yang - the active masculine principle, as well as the Chinese nation as a whole. It is complemented by the passive feminine yin, which is embodied by the Chinese phoenix bird.
Dragon is associated with the inhabitants of China with the element of water. And water, as you know, gives the earth fertility. Therefore, the dragon among the Chinese is strongly associated with life and prosperity. The inhabitants of the Celestial Empire believed that the Universe arose from the body of this snake-like creature. Cosmic qi energy flows in his body, which activates the potential of people at three levels: mind, soul and body.
The Chinese believed that this creature was able to dive into the deepest crevices of the seabed, and then rise as high into the sky as no other.
Being a winged serpent, the dragon combines spirit and matter. It symbolizes the waters that bring life and the breath of life. It subjugates all four elements, therefore it symbolizes supernatural power and higher spiritual wisdom.
The reptile personified change, the power of nature, divine transformation, infinity. There are about 100 varieties of dragons in Chinese mythology. Each of them has its own function.
What does the dragon symbolize in China today? His image has become more mundane and material, as, indeed, people. It represents we alth, power, wisdom and strength. In memory of this mythical creature, the Chinese celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.
Types and meaning of feng shui dragons
According to legend, the mythical lizards were very rich and zealously guarded their treasures from encroachment. The golden dragon symbolizes wisdom and we alth. An emblem depicting a yellow mythical creature was common among rulers.
Today, figurines of golden dragons are very popular among tourists. They serve as talismans that attract money, help improve business relationships with partners and protect against bad people. There is also an opinion that the image or figurine of a golden dragon can scare away negativity and protect the house from various troubles.
So, what does the golden dragon symbolize in Feng Shui? In addition to we alth and good luck in the business sphere, its owner will also be protected from negativity and bad people.
The blue dragon symbolizes power and prosperity. Heis the sign of the emperor. The blue dragon is a symbol of heavenly patronage. In China, it is called "Long" and is considered the supreme among the mythical reptiles.
The red dragon symbolizes vitality and strength. It is noteworthy that a snake-like lizard is found not only in China, but also on the ancient emblem of Wales and the national flag of Scotland. There he was a symbol of patriotism and love for ancestors.
What does the black dragon symbolize among the Chinese? He personifies the test that must be passed, as well as calmness and invincibility. Therefore, mythical creatures of black color are practically never found in souvenir shops. In the mythology of other countries, the black dragon is the embodiment of darkness and death. So, the Scandinavian legends tell about the lizard Nidhogg, which gnaws the roots of the tree Yggdrasil.
Dragon symbol - tattoo meaning
The dragon has no gender, therefore it is a universal symbol that can be applied to both the body of a man and a woman. First of all, his image is associated with power and strength. It is also a symbol of nobility, tranquility and great wisdom. Tattoo speaks of the justice and determination of its owner. It is stuffed with people who strive to find their way in life.
The golden dragon tattoo symbolizes the craving for knowledge and the desire to comprehend all the secrets of the universe. The heavenly dragon strengthens faith. If a mythical creature is depicted with horns, this indicates that the tattoo wearer has determination and fearlessness. The red dragon is a symbol of passion and love, aggression and fearlessness, andblack - respect.
Feng Shui Dragon
If you purchased a figurine of a Chinese dragon (what it symbolizes, we discussed above), it must be placed correctly. Firstly, it is worth noting that it is recommended to purchase a green or blue souvenir. The material is irrelevant in this case. If you want it to attract well-being, there should be a pearl in the paws of a reptile. The size of the figurine must be small, otherwise the dragon will attract too much yang energy, which is not always useful. No more than 5 figurines can be placed in the house.
Please note that the dragon can be four- and five-fingered. The latter is an imperial symbol and carries colossal energy, which is not always possible to cope with. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a four-fingered dragon.
It is desirable to place the figurine in the room where life and activity are in full swing. For example, in the living room. It cannot be placed in the bedroom and bathroom.
It is important that the dragon is not above the eye level of the owner of the house, otherwise the latter will lose power in his own home.
It is recommended to place the dragon in the eastern part of the house, to the left of the front door (when viewed from the house), where it will protect the home from attacking negative energy. It is better to place the dragon, if possible, in the air current. The movement of air will activate it and give it the most magical power.
Conclusion
So, we discussed what the dragon symbolizes in China. The description of this symbol is very multifaceted and is rooted in antiquity. Historiansclaim that the dragon symbol was revered as early as the 5th millennium BC.
