Humanity has always mythologies developed in an attempt to explain and to understand its place in the world. This has led to the development of abstract thoughts and ideas which symbols to the ideas in the form. The most ancient of these mythological symbols is the Chinese Dragon.
Chinese philosophical thought is the oldest in the world, with a history dating thousands of years. China has three main philosophical influences, Confucianism, Taoist and Buddhist. All three of these thought systems influenced Chinese philosophical thought, with Confucianism are the important employee.
Confucius was born in 551 BC and his teachings developed into the leading security principals for Chinese imperial government and society for the next 2,500 years. Confucianism as government policy was replaced only in 1905.
All of these important philosophies taught their content and security principals through the use of symbols. Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism uses the language of symbol to their education with a very primary and most ancient symbol is the Dragon.
Recent Chinese archaeological finds have revealed dragon symbols dates from approximately six thousand years; These include ancient philosophical texts and shamanic objects engraved with primitive dragon symbols.
It is difficult to establish exactly where the dragon symbol, but the most likely source can be found in an old legend, (one of those legends cliche, lost in the mists of time!) The legend refers to a primitive Chinese society of six to seven thousand years ago and the practice of early tribal groups establishing and the worship of a particular plant or animal as a totemic Guide and protector of the tribe.
One of the largest and most powerful of these tribes was located in central China on the lower reaches of the Yellow River. His totem was the serpent, to them known as the Dragon. They believed that the Dragon was responsible for leading them to victory in intertribal wars. When the tribe was victorious in battle, they included the totem conquered tribes to their serpent/dragon totem, believing that their totem was strengthened by the addition. For example, the conquest of a tribe with the deer as their totem arise if the deer antlers are added to the head of the serpent. In this way arose the famous image of the Dragon.
Chinese mythology describes the dragon as the creature of nine parables.
The head of a camel, the antlers of a deer, the eyes of a Hare, the ears of a bull, neck of a snake, belly of a clam, scaling of a carp, claws of an eagle and with the legs of a tiger.
Chinese art is highly symbolic and can be read and understood by the use of the symbol. The Dragon is often represented with a large White Pearl in its jaws, or kept in its claws. Early traditional Chinese mythology believed that the Dragon the Sun chases and this is often depicted in Chinese art with the Dragon in the exercise of a flaming red ball.
But with the advent of Buddhist influence, around 67 AD, the red ball of the Sun, become a White Pearl, sometimes appears as a flaming Pearl and known as the night shining pearl. Buddhist symbolism teaches that the night the darkness of ignorance and the shining pearl, the teachings of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the light of the truth, or, as understood in the West, as the Pearl of great value.
There Is and there will no doubt continue to be, many discussions, papers and theories relating to the long Chinese tradition of depicting the Dragon with the Pearl, many of these erudite theories can be long and learned, but the fact remains, no one really knows the origin of the Pearl. It is, however, accepted that the Dragon and his relationship with the Pearl, now has a lost, yet undiscovered philosophical and abstract meaning behind it.
In the Western art and mythology, the Dragon is seen as an evil creature, violent and breathing fire, but not in Chinese art and mythology. The Dragon is associated with wisdom--great blessings to which they grant beneficiary. Dragons are particularly associated with water, rivers, rain and the seasons.
The Dragon was supposed to rise into the sky in the spring to make rain for the crops and returned to his underwater Palace in the autumn. As an agriculture people bad Chinese farmers to the Dragon for good harvests, with a special spring festival, Fireworks and gongs to awaken him out of sleep.
The Dragon was venerated and honored and so strongly connected with the weather, that he was known as the rain master. His eyes lightning flashed, the beating of its wings caused the wind and his breath, the rain.
The Dragon was the highest symbol of power and authority and the personal symbol of the Emperor, the yellow Dragon and as the Sun, elusive, August and lonely. The Emperor ruled with the mandate of Heaven and believed that Dragon's blood in his veins; all his personal belongings were given the prefix of Dragon: dragon throne, Dragon dress, dragon bed etc.
In the traditional Chinese art keeps the Dragon a most prominent place. Is one of the four supernatural beings, (Ssu Ling). The Dragon is often depicted in the midst of clouds in the exercise of the Sacred Jewel, the symbol of the Enlightenment, or seen as the Flaming Pearl, a circular object glowing, which although originally a symbol for the Sun.
Chinese art is highly symbolic and rich content through its symbol can be read. The Dragon is seen as the symbol of power and authority. The Dragon is the symbol of the Emperor of China, which is ruled by the mandate of heaven and was supposed to have descended from the Dragon.
In modern China is the mythology of the Dragon still very honored and deeply rooted in Chinese culture, as an example, with the festival for New Years dragon dance and the dragon boat festivals held throughout Asia. China produces huge quantities of modern porcelain and many of these production is still adorned with the Dragon. Contemporary China, although seemingly far removed from an ancient, mythological past, still universally recognized by the symbol of the Dragon.
Maurice Robertson, of the antique and Vintage table Lamp Co. He is known to local and international interior designers and also items of national importance to the Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister has delivered.
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