Chao news client Yang Xiaojie.
The dragon, an animal in ancient Chinese mythology, is the head of the scale insects and one of the symbols of the Chinese nation. In the 5,000-year history of China, the dragon has always occupied a very special position. It is not only a symbol of imperial power, but also carries the beliefs and expectations of the people, and is a kind of existence that transcends mortal mortals. It is high above the nine heavens, and it travels between the four seas, and it is unpredictable. The poet Du Fu once wrote the poem "The clouds, dragons, winds and tigers are all handed back, and the enemy can be destroyed when Taibai enters the moon", juxtaposing the dragon with the wind and clouds, the sun and the moon, highlighting its otherworldly temperament.
In ancient literature, the image of the dragon was often depicted as magnificent and mighty, and its forms were varied. Some dragons have scales, some have wings, and some combine with snakes. In ancient documents such as "Book of Changes", "Classic of Mountains and Seas", "Sou Shen Ji", "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", there are records about dragons. Some are legends and stories about dragons that show their magical powers. Some of them tell the different stages of life through the different forms of the dragon, giving the dragon a deeper symbolic meaning.
The earliest literature about the dragon** is found in the Book of Changes, the dragon is a carrier of culture and beliefs, and it has different meanings for various changes in life, symbolizing the infinite possibilities of life. There are six forms of dragons recorded in the "Zhou Yi" hexagram: "On the ninth day of the first month, don't use the hidden dragon; Ninety-two, see the dragon in the field; Ninety-three, Long Xingxi; Ninety-four, the dragon leaps in the abyss; Ninety-five, the dragon flies in the sky; Ninety-six, Kang Long has regrets". The hidden dragon means that you must learn to keep your light and keep your eyes open; Seeing the dragon is a hidden elephant, and you must learn to seize the opportunity; The Tilong stage implies that we must remain vigilant, conscientious, and cautious in our words and deeds; The leaping dragon stage reminds us to judge the situation and seize the opportunity; The dragon stage symbolizes reaching the highest level and becoming a virtuous person; Finally, the Kanglong stage admonishes people to be prepared for danger in times of peace and retreat bravely in the rapids at the right time.
There are also many records about dragons in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, which are mainly divided into two categories. One is a strange beast similar to a dragon, although it is not a dragon, but it has the characteristics of a dragon, such as a bird-bodied dragon-headed god, a human-body dragon-headed god, a horse-bodied dragon-headed god, etc. The other category is the real dragon or dragon. In the "Classic of Mountains and Seas", there are only four dragons that have really been recorded, namely the Candle Dragon, the Ying Dragon, the Kui Dragon and the Jiaolong. Among them, Candle Dragon and Ying Dragon are the most famous. The candle dragon has a huge supernatural power, able to control the change of seasons and the alternation of the sun and the moon, as the saying goes, "open eyes for day, closed eyes for night", its ability is almost comparable to that of Pangu Great Immortals. Ying Long, on the other hand, was adept at controlling water, assisting the Yellow Emperor and showing his skills in the Battle of the Deer, capturing and killing Chiyou and his ally Kuafu.
In the twenty-first chapter of Cao Cao's Heroic Discussion on Cooking Wine in the four famous novels "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", there is also a description of the dragon: With the small pavilion, a bottle has been set up: green plums are placed on a plate, and a bottle of boiled wine is made. The two sat opposite each other and drank heartily. The wine is half-drunk, the clouds are indifferent, and the rain is coming. From the distance of the person to the sky outside the dragon hanging, and Xuande by the railing to watch it. Cao said: "Do you know the changes of the dragon?" Xuande said: "I don't know the details. Cao said: "The dragon can be big and small, and it can rise and hide; The big one is the clouds and the fog, and the small one is hidden and hidden; Ascending soars between the universe, and concealment lurks in the waves. Fang is deep in spring, the dragon changes when the time comes, and the Jews have the ambition to cross the seas. Dragons are things, comparable to heroes of the world". Cao Cao's Pointing to the Sky is the theme, alluding to the hero's behavior with the change of the dragon and the ascension and retreat, showing his profound wisdom and understanding of the hero.
The image of the dragon has evolved over the course of history, but its core spiritual connotation has remained the same. It is the embodiment of wisdom, the embodiment of strength, and the symbol of the spirit of the Chinese nation. Whether it is the terracotta warriors and horses of Qin Shi Huang or the six horses of Zhaoling of Tang Taizong, they are all engraved with dragon patterns, implying the supremacy of imperial power and the prosperity of the country.
For 5,000 years, the dragon has penetrated the culture of Chinese society, in addition to spreading and inheriting in the land of China, it has also been brought to the world by the Chinese who have traveled overseas. As a result, "the descendants of the dragon" and "the kingdom of the dragon" have also gained worldwide recognition. The dragon is the representative of the Chinese nation and the symbol of China. In today's era of rapid technological change, we should cherish this cultural heritage that has been inherited for thousands of years, let the legend of the dragon continue to flow in our hearts, and inject a steady stream of strength into the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
*Please indicate the source".