Some information about dragons

In the ancient myths and legends of China, the dragon is a magical animal, with the image that nine beasts are one, and nine are different. Exactly which nine animals are controversial. At present, it is recognized that the origin of the dragon is a synthesis of various animals and a symbol of totem worship formed in primitive society. Legend has it that it can be hidden, detailed and huge, short and long. The vernal equinox ascends to the sky, and the autumnal equinox dives into the deep, omnipotent. These all developed the image of the dragon in the later period. In feudal times, the dragon was the symbol of the emperor, and it was also used to refer to the emperor and his things: dragon species, dragon face, dragon court, dragon robe, dragon palace and so on. Dragon ranks fifth among the traditional Chinese zodiac animals in China, and is also called "Four Animals" with White Tiger, Suzaku and Xuanwu. The dragon in western mythology has also been translated into Jackie Chan, but the two are not the same. Watch The West Chamber.

origin

With regard to the origin of the dragon, after long-term research and textual research, people finally reached a relatively consistent understanding: the dragon is a synthesis of various animals and a symbol of totem worship formed in primitive society. In the early days, the ancients could not make a reasonable explanation for most natural phenomena, so they hoped that their national totem would have the power of wind, rain and electricity, the majestic posture of mountains, swimming in the water like fish and flying in the air like birds. Therefore, the characteristics of many animals are concentrated on dragons, and dragons have gradually become "nine unlike" (with the characteristics of nine animals). This composite structure means that the dragon is the head of all animals and an omnipotent god. The prototype of the dragon has sprouted in the late Neolithic period, and it is a virtual imagination with the totem of Xia nationality as the main body. The ancients had various explanations for this. It is said that poisonous snakes can fly without feet (see Xunzi's "Persuasion"); Those with scales are called dragons, those with horns are called [mound prisoners], and those without horns are called set dragons. (See Li Sao and Guang Ya quoted by Hong Bu. ) The one with wings is called (Wang Note). We can see these different kinds of dragons on the bronzes of Shang, Zhou and Warring States in China. Some people say that dragons are like dogs and cows, while Lun Heng said, "The image of dragons is anticlimactic." It is also said that the shape of the dragon is the horn of a deer, the ear of a cow, the head of a camel, the eyes of a rabbit, the neck of a snake, the belly of a stork, the scales of a fish, the feet of a tiger and the claws of an eagle. There are crocodiles, lizards, horses and so on. Lun Heng said: "The image of a dragon is the tail of a horse." It is also said that the shape of the dragon is the horn of a deer, the ear of a cow, the head of a camel, the eyes of a rabbit, the neck of a snake, the belly of a stork, the scales of a fish, the soles of a deer's feet and the claws of an eagle. Compendium of Materia Medica says that "dragons have nine similarities", which is a heterogeneous animal with the advantages of all kinds of animals. Legend has it that it can be hidden, detailed and huge, short and long. The vernal equinox ascends to the sky, and the autumnal equinox dives into the deep, omnipotent. After the later development, the images of these dragons are more and more complex than the original dragons, and more and more totems are incorporated, which shows that they are constantly enriching and developing.

picture

There are many different images of dragons in ancient books. Compendium of Materia Medica says that "dragons have nine similarities", which is a heterogeneous animal with the advantages of all kinds of animals. The little one is called Jiao, and the big one is called Dragon. Legend has it that it can be hidden, detailed and huge, short and long. The vernal equinox ascends to the sky, and the autumnal equinox dives into the deep, omnipotent. Er Ya Yi says: The dragon is the length of the scale worm. A king has nine shapes: head like an ox, horns like a deer, eyes like a shrimp, ears like a snake, belly like a snake, scales like a fish, claws like a phoenix, palms like a tiger, yes. It has 8 1 scales on its back, and the number is nine and nine yang. It sounds like a coin. There is a beard near the mouth, pearls under the chin and scales under the throat. There is Boshan on the head, also known as ruler wood, and the dragon can't ascend to heaven without ruler wood. Breathing into the clouds can change water and fire. The other is: "Mouth like a horse, eyes like a crab, beard like a sheep, horns like a deer, ears like an ox, mane like a lion, scales like a carp, body like a snake, claws like an eagle ..."; There is also a saying that "the head is like a camel, the eyes are like ghosts, the ears are like cows, the horns are like deer, the neck is like a snake, the abdomen is like a dragonfly, the scales are like carp, the claws are like eagles, and the palms are like tigers". The formula for drawing dragons handed down by painters in Taiwan Province Province is also quite interesting: "Draw antlers one, shrimp two, dog nose four, lion mane six scales five, snake body eight fires seven, chicken feet nine and dragon nine".

Picture reference Baidu Encyclopedia ~