不赞同‘（中国）龙’的翻译是dragon的来！
最近听我的同学给老外翻译中国文化时，提到龙，他就用了dragon,他说dragon就是中国文化的一部分，并代表着皇族至高无尚的荣耀……听了之后我觉得怪怪的，在外国的字典里...
最近听我的同学给老外翻译中国文化时，提到龙，他就用了dragon,他说dragon就是中国文化的一部分，并代表着皇族至高无尚的荣耀……
听了之后我觉得怪怪的，在外国的字典里，dragon代表是邪恶，凶残；曾经看过一篇NewYork Times的报导说萨达姆的儿子Uday是中国龙年生的，就有像龙一样的凶残，无人性……
当我们说中国文化中的龙（或及龙舟），难道真的要说是Dragon嘛？？ 展开
听了之后我觉得怪怪的，在外国的字典里，dragon代表是邪恶，凶残；曾经看过一篇NewYork Times的报导说萨达姆的儿子Uday是中国龙年生的，就有像龙一样的凶残，无人性……
当我们说中国文化中的龙（或及龙舟），难道真的要说是Dragon嘛？？ 展开
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现在基本达成共识的音译翻译方式是“Loong”，因为在美式英语里“Long”的发音不是“龙”而是“狼”，所以“Long”不是准确的音译。
以下资料来自龙 Loong 网：
“龙”的英文应该翻译成 Loong
“龙”是中华民族的象征，在中译英时，“龙”被翻译成 Dragon。但是在英文中，dragon 是邪恶的有翼怪物，还有“凶暴的人，悍妇”等含义。在图画中，dragon 的身躯庞大笨拙，颜色是黑灰色的，长着巨大的翅膀，口中吐火，吞噬人和动物，非常丑陋恐怖，和中国的龙完全两样。
中国人在西方人面前自称“Dragon”或“Descendants of the Dragon”（龙的传人（后裔）），西方人当然要把中国人看成是恶魔和坏人了。在评选 2008 年北京奥运会吉祥物时，之所以没有选择呼声最高的龙，就是因为担心龙的英译“Dragon”会使世界人民误解中国。所以我们再也不能把“龙”翻译成“Dragon”了！
建议今后也不要再把英文单词 dragon 翻译成中文的“龙”，可以对它进行音译，如“得拉根”，解释是：“西方神话中凶恶的带翼巨兽”。
有些学者建议把“龙”音译成“Long”。
但是“long”的英文发音和“龙”完全两样，相当于中文的“狼”，并非真正的音译。当西方人指着龙说“long”时，中国人还必须纠正他的发音，不仅增加了交流的困难，还会引起对方的困惑。Long 在英文中是一个使用非常普遍的常用词，含义本来就很多，如：长，久，期盼，股票或期货的多头，等等，把龙翻译成 long 也会造成意义上的混乱。所以不能简单地把龙的拼音字母作为龙的英文音译。
既然是把中文“龙”音译成英文，那么在英文中的发音就应该和“龙”相近，否则就不是真正的音译。
英文中对“龙”字的音译是“Loong”，姓氏“龙”和人名中的“龙”字也被翻译成“loong”，例如著名武术家李小龙的英文名字是“Lee Siu Loong”，新加坡总理李显龙的名字被翻译成“Lee Hsien Loong”。在一些涉及龙的文字中，“龙”也的确被称为“loong”，例如，舞龙时所使用的长龙道具，就被翻译为 loong。因此，把“龙”翻译成“loong”才是真正的音译，而且它已经有了广泛的使用基础，也符合海外华人的习惯，有利于团结海外华人。
曾有研究者指出：英文可能最初也是一种象形文字，例如：eye（眼睛），bed（床），broom（扫帚。字母 b 有扫帚的形状，扫帚在扫房间 room）。Loong 的两个“O”字母，就象龙的两只大眼睛；Loong 在文字上又和“long”相近，给人“长”的感觉（很多西方人的确有意把“long long ago”写成“loong loong ago”），因此 loong 还具有象形文字的特点，和中文汉字有暗合之妙。而 long 则有“独眼龙”之嫌。
英文中本来没有 loong 这个单词，因此把“龙”翻译成 loong，不会引发歧义。所以，“龙”应该翻译成“loong”。2004 年，台湾学者蒙天祥也在“为‘龙’正视听是我们的责任”一文中提出把龙翻译成 Loong。
有很多人反对把“龙”重新翻译，认为外国人已经或者将来能够正确理解 Dragon 所指的龙和原来的 Dragon 不同，或者只需要写成 Chinese Dragon 就可以了。
我觉得这种观点是错误的。文字就象图形一样，看见特定的字母组合，就会产生特定的感觉。例如看见“善”字，就会产生愉悦的感觉；而看见“恶”字，就会紧张不安。同样道理，即使我们中国人看见“Dragon”想到的是吉祥的龙，但是外国人看见“Dragon”之后想到的却仍然是恶魔和悍妇。
我们固然可以改变外国人对 Dragon 或 Chinese Dragon 的感觉，但是这不是最有效和最经济的做法。
而且，“Loong”的英文注释也不应该是“Chinese Dragon”，因为一个对中国文化一无所知的外国人刚看到“Chinese Dragon”的时候是不会想得到“Loong”与“Dragon”有什么实质区别的，恐怕首先想到的还是他们概念中的“Dragon”。
对“Loong”最合理的注释是“Chinese Seraphim”，因为西方文化中各方面本质含义和特性都最接近中国的“龙”的概念就是“Seraphim”（炽天使），不仅在西方神话宗教中的地位作用意义与“龙”在中国神话宗教中的地位作用意义最吻合，而且古希伯来语里“Seraphim”的词源意思就和中国龙的一种主要起源相同（中国龙是长蛇形，而“Seraphim”是希伯来语的“（大）蛇”即“Seraph”的复数，也有说法是加上一个有“火焰”、“燃烧”等意思的词尾，在早期古希伯来语中，因为没有“龙”字，所以经常用大蛇表示龙，圣经里就表明，这样的“蛇”是有四肢的），一些希伯来神话的历史资料也间接地表明“Seraphim”最初的形象要远远比“Dragon”更接近中国的“龙”（有4个爪子和6个火焰组成的羽翼的“长蛇”，十分酷似中国早期神话中的应龙），而且“Seraphim”对西方人来说是个很熟悉的概念，只是现在很少有人知道炽天使的原始真面目而已（现在宗教图画和雕塑中的炽天使已经全是人形了），所以用“Chinese Seraphim”来解释“Loong”是最合理可行的。
以下资料来自龙 Loong 网：
“龙”的英文应该翻译成 Loong
“龙”是中华民族的象征，在中译英时，“龙”被翻译成 Dragon。但是在英文中，dragon 是邪恶的有翼怪物，还有“凶暴的人，悍妇”等含义。在图画中，dragon 的身躯庞大笨拙，颜色是黑灰色的，长着巨大的翅膀，口中吐火，吞噬人和动物，非常丑陋恐怖，和中国的龙完全两样。
中国人在西方人面前自称“Dragon”或“Descendants of the Dragon”（龙的传人（后裔）），西方人当然要把中国人看成是恶魔和坏人了。在评选 2008 年北京奥运会吉祥物时，之所以没有选择呼声最高的龙，就是因为担心龙的英译“Dragon”会使世界人民误解中国。所以我们再也不能把“龙”翻译成“Dragon”了！
建议今后也不要再把英文单词 dragon 翻译成中文的“龙”，可以对它进行音译，如“得拉根”，解释是：“西方神话中凶恶的带翼巨兽”。
有些学者建议把“龙”音译成“Long”。
但是“long”的英文发音和“龙”完全两样，相当于中文的“狼”，并非真正的音译。当西方人指着龙说“long”时，中国人还必须纠正他的发音，不仅增加了交流的困难，还会引起对方的困惑。Long 在英文中是一个使用非常普遍的常用词，含义本来就很多，如：长，久，期盼，股票或期货的多头，等等，把龙翻译成 long 也会造成意义上的混乱。所以不能简单地把龙的拼音字母作为龙的英文音译。
既然是把中文“龙”音译成英文，那么在英文中的发音就应该和“龙”相近，否则就不是真正的音译。
英文中对“龙”字的音译是“Loong”，姓氏“龙”和人名中的“龙”字也被翻译成“loong”，例如著名武术家李小龙的英文名字是“Lee Siu Loong”，新加坡总理李显龙的名字被翻译成“Lee Hsien Loong”。在一些涉及龙的文字中，“龙”也的确被称为“loong”，例如，舞龙时所使用的长龙道具，就被翻译为 loong。因此，把“龙”翻译成“loong”才是真正的音译，而且它已经有了广泛的使用基础，也符合海外华人的习惯，有利于团结海外华人。
曾有研究者指出：英文可能最初也是一种象形文字，例如：eye（眼睛），bed（床），broom（扫帚。字母 b 有扫帚的形状，扫帚在扫房间 room）。Loong 的两个“O”字母，就象龙的两只大眼睛；Loong 在文字上又和“long”相近，给人“长”的感觉（很多西方人的确有意把“long long ago”写成“loong loong ago”），因此 loong 还具有象形文字的特点，和中文汉字有暗合之妙。而 long 则有“独眼龙”之嫌。
英文中本来没有 loong 这个单词，因此把“龙”翻译成 loong，不会引发歧义。所以，“龙”应该翻译成“loong”。2004 年，台湾学者蒙天祥也在“为‘龙’正视听是我们的责任”一文中提出把龙翻译成 Loong。
有很多人反对把“龙”重新翻译，认为外国人已经或者将来能够正确理解 Dragon 所指的龙和原来的 Dragon 不同，或者只需要写成 Chinese Dragon 就可以了。
我觉得这种观点是错误的。文字就象图形一样，看见特定的字母组合，就会产生特定的感觉。例如看见“善”字，就会产生愉悦的感觉；而看见“恶”字，就会紧张不安。同样道理，即使我们中国人看见“Dragon”想到的是吉祥的龙，但是外国人看见“Dragon”之后想到的却仍然是恶魔和悍妇。
我们固然可以改变外国人对 Dragon 或 Chinese Dragon 的感觉，但是这不是最有效和最经济的做法。
而且，“Loong”的英文注释也不应该是“Chinese Dragon”，因为一个对中国文化一无所知的外国人刚看到“Chinese Dragon”的时候是不会想得到“Loong”与“Dragon”有什么实质区别的，恐怕首先想到的还是他们概念中的“Dragon”。
对“Loong”最合理的注释是“Chinese Seraphim”，因为西方文化中各方面本质含义和特性都最接近中国的“龙”的概念就是“Seraphim”（炽天使），不仅在西方神话宗教中的地位作用意义与“龙”在中国神话宗教中的地位作用意义最吻合，而且古希伯来语里“Seraphim”的词源意思就和中国龙的一种主要起源相同（中国龙是长蛇形，而“Seraphim”是希伯来语的“（大）蛇”即“Seraph”的复数，也有说法是加上一个有“火焰”、“燃烧”等意思的词尾，在早期古希伯来语中，因为没有“龙”字，所以经常用大蛇表示龙，圣经里就表明，这样的“蛇”是有四肢的），一些希伯来神话的历史资料也间接地表明“Seraphim”最初的形象要远远比“Dragon”更接近中国的“龙”（有4个爪子和6个火焰组成的羽翼的“长蛇”，十分酷似中国早期神话中的应龙），而且“Seraphim”对西方人来说是个很熟悉的概念，只是现在很少有人知道炽天使的原始真面目而已（现在宗教图画和雕塑中的炽天使已经全是人形了），所以用“Chinese Seraphim”来解释“Loong”是最合理可行的。
参考资料： http://www.loong.cn
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Chinese Dragons
The symbol of the dragon represents spiraling DNA - the path into greater enlightenment.
The Celestial Chinese Dragon is comparable as the symbol of the Chinese race itself. Chinese around the world, proudly proclaim themselves "Lung Tik Chuan Ren" (Descendents of the Dragon). Dragons are referred to as the divine mythical creature that brings with it ultimate abundance, prosperity and good fortune.
As the emblem of the Emperor and the Imperial command, the legend of the Chinese Dragon permeates the ancient Chinese civilization and shaped their culture until today. Its benevolence signifies greatness, goodness and blessings.
The Chinese Dragon, or Lung , symbolizes power and excellence, valiancy and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity. A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. He is energetic, decisive, optimistic, intelligent and ambitious.
Unlike the negative energies associated with Western Dragons, most Eastern Dragons are beautiful, friendly, and wise. They are the angels of the Orient. Instead of being hated, they are loved and worshipped. Temples and shrines have been built to honor them, for they control the rain, rivers, lakes, and seas. Many Chinese cities have pagodas where people used to burn incense and pray to dragons.
The Black Dragon Pool Chapel, near Peking, was reserved for the Empress and her court.
Special worship services took place there on the first and fifteenth of every month. Dragon shrines and altars can still be seen in many parts of the Far East. They are usually along seashores and riverbanks, because most Eastern Dragons live in water.
The Isle of the Temple, in Japan's Inland Sea, has become a famous stopover for pilgrims who meditate and pray to dragons. Both male and female dragons have mated with humans.
Their descendants became great rulers. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito traced his ancestry back 125 generations to Princess Fruitful Jewel, daughter of a Dragon King of the Sea. Emperors in many Asian countries claimed to have dragon ancestors. This made them so proud, that everything they used was decorated with dragons and described in terms of the dragon: dragon-throne, dragon-robe, dragon-bed, dragon-boat. Calling an emperor "dragon-face" was a supreme compliment. People believed that rulers could change themselves into dragons. For hundreds of years, Japanese emperors sat concealed behind bamboo curtains whenever visitors came. Anyone who dared to peek was condemned to death.
Everything connected with Eastern Dragons is blessed.
The Year of the Dragon, which takes place ever twelve years, is lucky. Present-day Oriental astrologers claim that children born during Dragon Years enjoy health, wealth, and long life.
Dragons are so wise that they have been royal advisors. A thirteenth-century Cambodian king spent his nights in a golden tower, where he consulted with the real ruler of the land a nine-headed dragon.
Eastern Dragons are vain, even though they are wise. They are insulted when a ruler doesn't follow their advice, or when people do not honor their importance. Then, by thrashing about, dragons either stop making rain and cause water shortages, or they breathe black clouds that bring storms and floods. Small dragons do minor mischief, such as making roofs leak, or causing rice to be sticky. People set off firecrackers and carry immense paper dragons in special parades. They also race dragon-shaped boats in water all to please and appease their dragons.
The Dragon brings upon the essence of life, in the form of its celestial breath, known to many as sheng chi. He yields life and bestows its power in the form of the seasons, bringing water from rain, warmth from the sunshine, wind from the seas and soil from the Earth.
The Dragon is the ultimate representation of the forces of Mother Nature, the greatest divine force on Earth.
The Chinese Dragon is often seen as the symbol of divine protection and vigilance. It is regarded as the Supreme Being amongst all creatures. It has the ability to live in the seas, fly up the heavens and coiled up in the land in the form of mountains. Being the divine mythical animal, the Dragon can ward off wandering evil spirits, protect the innocent and bestow safety to all that hold his emblem. The Chinese Dragon is look upon as the ultimate symbol of Good Fortune.
Year of the Dragon - Personality Traits:
The Dragon person is self confident and impulsive and consequently does not always listen to the advice of others. He is also a perfectionist and he sets high standards for himself. Although strong and decisive the Dragon is not manipulative or sly. He refuses to deceive or compromise and fails to spot subversive intent. He enjoys being in command and like an emperor holding court he eliminates obstacles until success is his.
WOOD DRAGON: The Wood Dragon is creative, imaginative, and inquisitive. He is both a thinker and a doer and is capable of brilliant new concepts. His every move is guided by sound logic. His drive and ambition allow him to put many of his ideas into practice, nevertheless this Dragon is capable of concealing his domination and tries not to offend. He will even compromise if it is advantages. Although not as self-centered as other Dragons, he is still outspoken and fearless when challenged.
FIRE DRAGON: The Fire Dragon is the most extroverted and competitive Dragon. He tends to push too hard and expects a lot from everyone. His criticisms are objective and he has the ability to arouse massive popular support. His insatiable ambition can make him short-tempered and intolerant. He is an empire builder who needs to master his less favorable traits and learn how to communicate more humbly with people as individuals.
EARTH DRAGON: The Earth Dragon is a quieter, more reflective Dragon, He will be appreciative of other's opinions even if he fails to agree with them. He is reasonable in his approach to problems and his leadership is less dictatorial. He is not given to outbursts of temper, but at the same time demands respect. He knows the value of cooperation and is more diplomatic than the other Dragons. He is ambitious, but his initiatives are less hurried and more carefully thought out.
METAL DRAGON: The Metal Dragon is the most strong-willed Dragon. He is inflexible, unbending and combative. He gives little regard to the feelings of others. This ruthlessness can result in a rapid rise to a position of authority, but often at the cost of destroying important relationships. It is futile to attempt to convince him that certain things are simply undoable. He will go it alone if he can't gain support. He succeeds because he refuses to accept failure.
WATER DRAGON: The Water Dragon is less selfish and opinionated than the other Dragons. He is more inhibited and less power-hungry. He can accept defeat without recriminations. He makes a good negotiator as he knows when, where, and how to apply pressure. He has a tendency to be over-optimistic and needs to learn how to relinquish what is unfeasible so that he can concentrate his energies on the most rewarding endeavors.
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TYPES OF DRAGONS
There are nine major types of Chinese dragons. These include the horned dragon, the winged dragon, the celestial dragon (which supports and protects the mansions of the gods), the spiritual dragon which generates wind and rain for the benefit of mankind), the dragon of hidden treasures (which keeps guard over concealed wealth), the coiling dragon (which lives in water), and the yellow dragon (which once emerged from water and presented the legendary Emperor Fu Shi with the elements of writing)
The last of the nine is the dragon king, which actually consists of four separate dragons, each of which rules over one of the four seas, those of the east, south, west, and north.
The most powerful generalized type of Chinese dragon is the horned dragon, or lung, which can produce rain and is totally deaf. Additionally, there is a homeless dragon (Ii) that lives in the ocean and another type (chiao) that is scale-covered and usually inhabits marshes but also keeps dens in the mountains.
There are also nine ways the Chinese have traditionally represented these dragons, each one revealing a different dragon characteristic. There are dragons carved on the tops of bells and gongs, because of the beast's habit of calling loudly when attacked.
A second type is carved on the screws of fiddles, since most dragons are fond of music.
A third is carved on the tops of stone tablets, because of dragons' love of literature.
A fourth is found at the bottom of stone monuments, as dragons can support heavy weights.
A fifth is placed on the eaves of temples, as dragons are ever alert to danger.
A sixth occurs on the beams of bridges, since dragons are fond of water.
A seventh is carved on Buddha's throne, as dragons like to rest.
An eighth is placed on the hilts of swords, since dragons are known to be capable of slaughter.
The ninth is carved on prison gates, as these are dragons that are fond of quarreling and trouble making.
The colors of Chinese dragons are evidently quite variable, but in the case of the chiao type its back is striped with green, its sides are yellow, and it is crimson underneath.
The nine major characteristics of a lung type dragon include a head like a camel's, horns like a deer's, eyes like a hare's, ears like a bull's, a neck like an iguana's, a belly like a frog's, scales like a carp's, paws like a tiger's, and claws like an eagle's. It has a pair of large canine teeth in its upper jaw. The long, tendril-like whiskers extending from either side of its mouth are probably used for feeling its way along the bottom of muddy ponds.
In color dragons varies from greenish to golden, with a series of alternating short and long spines extending down the back and along the tail, where they become longer. One specimen had wings at its side, and walked on top of the water. Another tossed its mane back and forth making noises that sounded like a flute.
Cow-heads are also common. A ten-footer, found lying on the banks of China's Yangtze River, was different from most because of its long, thick eyebrows. A Yellow River variety, seen on shore in the 1920s by a Chinese teacher, was bright blue, and as big as five cows. Both dragons crawled into the water as soon as it started to rain.
A few dragons begin life as fish. Carp, who successfully jump rapids and leap over waterfalls, change into fish-dragons. A popular saying, "The carp has leaped through the dragon's gate," means success, especially for students who have passed their exams.
Male dragons sometimes mate with other kinds of animals. A dragon fathers an elephant when he mates with a pig, and he sires a racehorse, after mating with a mare.
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The 4 Dragons: A Chinese Tale
Once upon a time, there were no rivers and lakes on earth, but only the Eastern Sea, in which lived four dragons: the Long Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon.
One day the four dragons flew from the sea into the sky. They soared and dived, playing at hide-and-seek in the clouds.
"Come over here quickly!" the Pearl Dragon cried out suddenly.
"What's up?" asked the other three, looking down in the direction where the Pearl Dragon pointed. On the earth they saw many people putting out fruits and cakes, and burning incense sticks. They were praying! A white-haired woman, kneeling on the ground with a thin boy on her back, murmured:
"Please send rain quickly, God of Heaven, to give our children rice to eat.."
For there had been no rain for a long time. The crops withered, the grass turned yellow and fields cracked under the scorching sun.
"How poor the people are!" said the Yellow Dragon. "And they will die if it doesn't rain soon."
The Long Dragon nodded. Then he suggested, "Let's go and beg the Jade Emperor for rain."
So saying, he leapt into the clouds. The others followed closely and flew towards the Heavenly Palace.
Being in charge of all the affairs in heaven, on earth and in the sea, the Jade Emperor was very powerful. He was not pleased to see the dragons rushing in. "Why do you come here instead of staying in the sea and behaving yourselves?"
The Long Dragon stepped forward and said, "The crops on earth are withering and dying, Your Majesty. I beg you to send rain down quickly!"
"All right. You go back first, I'll send some rain down tomorrow." The Jade Emperor pretended to agree while listening to the songs of the fairies.
"Thanks, Your Majesty!" The four dragons went happily back.
But ten days passed, and not a drop of rain came down.
The people suffered more, some eating bark, some grass roots, some forced to eat white clay when they ran out of bark and grass roots.
Seeing all this, the four dragons felt very sorry, for they knew the Jade Emperor only cared about pleasure, and never took the people to heart. They could only rely on themselves to relieve the people of their miseries. But how to do it?
Seeing the vast sea, the Long Dragon said that he had an idea.
"What is it? Out with it, quickly!" the other three demanded.
"Look, is there not plenty of water in the sea where we live? We should scoop it up and spray it towards the sky. The water will be like rain drops and come down to save the people and their crops."
"Good idea!" The others clapped their hands.
&Quot;But," said the Long Dragon after thinking a bit, "we will be blamed if the Jade Emperor learns of this."
"I will do anything to save the people," the Yellow Dragon said resolutely.
"Let's begin. We will never regret it." The Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon were not to be outdone.
They flew to the sea, scooped up water in their mouths, and then flew back into the sky, where they sprayed the water out over the earth. The four dragons flew back and forth, making the sky dark all around. Before long the seawater became rain pouring down from the sky.
"It's raining! It's raining!"
"The crops will be saved!"
The people cried and leaped with joy. On the ground the wheat stalks raised their heads and the sorghum stalks straightened up.
The god of the sea discovered these events and reported to the Jade Emperor.
"How dare the four dragons bring rain without my permission!" The Jade Emperor was enraged, and ordered the heavenly generals and their troops to arrest the four dragons. Being far outnumbered, the four dragons could not defend themselves, and they were soon arrested and brought back to the heavenly palace.
"Go and get four mountains to lay upon them so that they can never escape!" The Jade Emperor ordered the Mountain God.
The Mountain God used his magic power to make four mountains fly there, whistling in the wind from afar, and pressed them down upon the four dragons.
Imprisoned as they were, they never regretted their actions. Determined to do good for the people forever, they turned themselves into four rivers, which flowed past high mountains and deep valleys, crossing the land from the west to the east and finally emptying into the sea. And so China's four great rivers were formed -- the Heilongjian (Black Dragon) in the far north, the Huanghe (Yellow River) in central China, the Changjiang (Yangtze, or Long River) farther south, and the Zhujiang (Pearl) in the very far south.
Symbols of rain and water
The Chinese dragon is as a symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art, it is the embodiment of the concept of yang [male] and associated with the weather and water as the bringer of rain.
Chinese dragons are believed to be the rulers of moving bodies of water, such as waterfalls, rivers, or seas. They can show themselves as water spouts (tornado or twister over water). There are four major dragons, one representing each sea. For instance the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Dragon King of the Western Sea, and so forth.
Because of this association, they are seen as "in charge" of water-related weather phenomenon. In premodern times, many Chinese villages (especially those living close to rivers) had temples dedicated to their local "dragon king." In times of drought or flooding, it was customary for the local gentry and government officials to lead the community in offering sacrifices and conducting other religious rites to appease the dragon, either to ask for rain or a cessation thereof.
The symbol of the dragon represents spiraling DNA - the path into greater enlightenment.
The Celestial Chinese Dragon is comparable as the symbol of the Chinese race itself. Chinese around the world, proudly proclaim themselves "Lung Tik Chuan Ren" (Descendents of the Dragon). Dragons are referred to as the divine mythical creature that brings with it ultimate abundance, prosperity and good fortune.
As the emblem of the Emperor and the Imperial command, the legend of the Chinese Dragon permeates the ancient Chinese civilization and shaped their culture until today. Its benevolence signifies greatness, goodness and blessings.
The Chinese Dragon, or Lung , symbolizes power and excellence, valiancy and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity. A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. He is energetic, decisive, optimistic, intelligent and ambitious.
Unlike the negative energies associated with Western Dragons, most Eastern Dragons are beautiful, friendly, and wise. They are the angels of the Orient. Instead of being hated, they are loved and worshipped. Temples and shrines have been built to honor them, for they control the rain, rivers, lakes, and seas. Many Chinese cities have pagodas where people used to burn incense and pray to dragons.
The Black Dragon Pool Chapel, near Peking, was reserved for the Empress and her court.
Special worship services took place there on the first and fifteenth of every month. Dragon shrines and altars can still be seen in many parts of the Far East. They are usually along seashores and riverbanks, because most Eastern Dragons live in water.
The Isle of the Temple, in Japan's Inland Sea, has become a famous stopover for pilgrims who meditate and pray to dragons. Both male and female dragons have mated with humans.
Their descendants became great rulers. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito traced his ancestry back 125 generations to Princess Fruitful Jewel, daughter of a Dragon King of the Sea. Emperors in many Asian countries claimed to have dragon ancestors. This made them so proud, that everything they used was decorated with dragons and described in terms of the dragon: dragon-throne, dragon-robe, dragon-bed, dragon-boat. Calling an emperor "dragon-face" was a supreme compliment. People believed that rulers could change themselves into dragons. For hundreds of years, Japanese emperors sat concealed behind bamboo curtains whenever visitors came. Anyone who dared to peek was condemned to death.
Everything connected with Eastern Dragons is blessed.
The Year of the Dragon, which takes place ever twelve years, is lucky. Present-day Oriental astrologers claim that children born during Dragon Years enjoy health, wealth, and long life.
Dragons are so wise that they have been royal advisors. A thirteenth-century Cambodian king spent his nights in a golden tower, where he consulted with the real ruler of the land a nine-headed dragon.
Eastern Dragons are vain, even though they are wise. They are insulted when a ruler doesn't follow their advice, or when people do not honor their importance. Then, by thrashing about, dragons either stop making rain and cause water shortages, or they breathe black clouds that bring storms and floods. Small dragons do minor mischief, such as making roofs leak, or causing rice to be sticky. People set off firecrackers and carry immense paper dragons in special parades. They also race dragon-shaped boats in water all to please and appease their dragons.
The Dragon brings upon the essence of life, in the form of its celestial breath, known to many as sheng chi. He yields life and bestows its power in the form of the seasons, bringing water from rain, warmth from the sunshine, wind from the seas and soil from the Earth.
The Dragon is the ultimate representation of the forces of Mother Nature, the greatest divine force on Earth.
The Chinese Dragon is often seen as the symbol of divine protection and vigilance. It is regarded as the Supreme Being amongst all creatures. It has the ability to live in the seas, fly up the heavens and coiled up in the land in the form of mountains. Being the divine mythical animal, the Dragon can ward off wandering evil spirits, protect the innocent and bestow safety to all that hold his emblem. The Chinese Dragon is look upon as the ultimate symbol of Good Fortune.
Year of the Dragon - Personality Traits:
The Dragon person is self confident and impulsive and consequently does not always listen to the advice of others. He is also a perfectionist and he sets high standards for himself. Although strong and decisive the Dragon is not manipulative or sly. He refuses to deceive or compromise and fails to spot subversive intent. He enjoys being in command and like an emperor holding court he eliminates obstacles until success is his.
WOOD DRAGON: The Wood Dragon is creative, imaginative, and inquisitive. He is both a thinker and a doer and is capable of brilliant new concepts. His every move is guided by sound logic. His drive and ambition allow him to put many of his ideas into practice, nevertheless this Dragon is capable of concealing his domination and tries not to offend. He will even compromise if it is advantages. Although not as self-centered as other Dragons, he is still outspoken and fearless when challenged.
FIRE DRAGON: The Fire Dragon is the most extroverted and competitive Dragon. He tends to push too hard and expects a lot from everyone. His criticisms are objective and he has the ability to arouse massive popular support. His insatiable ambition can make him short-tempered and intolerant. He is an empire builder who needs to master his less favorable traits and learn how to communicate more humbly with people as individuals.
EARTH DRAGON: The Earth Dragon is a quieter, more reflective Dragon, He will be appreciative of other's opinions even if he fails to agree with them. He is reasonable in his approach to problems and his leadership is less dictatorial. He is not given to outbursts of temper, but at the same time demands respect. He knows the value of cooperation and is more diplomatic than the other Dragons. He is ambitious, but his initiatives are less hurried and more carefully thought out.
METAL DRAGON: The Metal Dragon is the most strong-willed Dragon. He is inflexible, unbending and combative. He gives little regard to the feelings of others. This ruthlessness can result in a rapid rise to a position of authority, but often at the cost of destroying important relationships. It is futile to attempt to convince him that certain things are simply undoable. He will go it alone if he can't gain support. He succeeds because he refuses to accept failure.
WATER DRAGON: The Water Dragon is less selfish and opinionated than the other Dragons. He is more inhibited and less power-hungry. He can accept defeat without recriminations. He makes a good negotiator as he knows when, where, and how to apply pressure. He has a tendency to be over-optimistic and needs to learn how to relinquish what is unfeasible so that he can concentrate his energies on the most rewarding endeavors.
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TYPES OF DRAGONS
There are nine major types of Chinese dragons. These include the horned dragon, the winged dragon, the celestial dragon (which supports and protects the mansions of the gods), the spiritual dragon which generates wind and rain for the benefit of mankind), the dragon of hidden treasures (which keeps guard over concealed wealth), the coiling dragon (which lives in water), and the yellow dragon (which once emerged from water and presented the legendary Emperor Fu Shi with the elements of writing)
The last of the nine is the dragon king, which actually consists of four separate dragons, each of which rules over one of the four seas, those of the east, south, west, and north.
The most powerful generalized type of Chinese dragon is the horned dragon, or lung, which can produce rain and is totally deaf. Additionally, there is a homeless dragon (Ii) that lives in the ocean and another type (chiao) that is scale-covered and usually inhabits marshes but also keeps dens in the mountains.
There are also nine ways the Chinese have traditionally represented these dragons, each one revealing a different dragon characteristic. There are dragons carved on the tops of bells and gongs, because of the beast's habit of calling loudly when attacked.
A second type is carved on the screws of fiddles, since most dragons are fond of music.
A third is carved on the tops of stone tablets, because of dragons' love of literature.
A fourth is found at the bottom of stone monuments, as dragons can support heavy weights.
A fifth is placed on the eaves of temples, as dragons are ever alert to danger.
A sixth occurs on the beams of bridges, since dragons are fond of water.
A seventh is carved on Buddha's throne, as dragons like to rest.
An eighth is placed on the hilts of swords, since dragons are known to be capable of slaughter.
The ninth is carved on prison gates, as these are dragons that are fond of quarreling and trouble making.
The colors of Chinese dragons are evidently quite variable, but in the case of the chiao type its back is striped with green, its sides are yellow, and it is crimson underneath.
The nine major characteristics of a lung type dragon include a head like a camel's, horns like a deer's, eyes like a hare's, ears like a bull's, a neck like an iguana's, a belly like a frog's, scales like a carp's, paws like a tiger's, and claws like an eagle's. It has a pair of large canine teeth in its upper jaw. The long, tendril-like whiskers extending from either side of its mouth are probably used for feeling its way along the bottom of muddy ponds.
In color dragons varies from greenish to golden, with a series of alternating short and long spines extending down the back and along the tail, where they become longer. One specimen had wings at its side, and walked on top of the water. Another tossed its mane back and forth making noises that sounded like a flute.
Cow-heads are also common. A ten-footer, found lying on the banks of China's Yangtze River, was different from most because of its long, thick eyebrows. A Yellow River variety, seen on shore in the 1920s by a Chinese teacher, was bright blue, and as big as five cows. Both dragons crawled into the water as soon as it started to rain.
A few dragons begin life as fish. Carp, who successfully jump rapids and leap over waterfalls, change into fish-dragons. A popular saying, "The carp has leaped through the dragon's gate," means success, especially for students who have passed their exams.
Male dragons sometimes mate with other kinds of animals. A dragon fathers an elephant when he mates with a pig, and he sires a racehorse, after mating with a mare.
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The 4 Dragons: A Chinese Tale
Once upon a time, there were no rivers and lakes on earth, but only the Eastern Sea, in which lived four dragons: the Long Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon.
One day the four dragons flew from the sea into the sky. They soared and dived, playing at hide-and-seek in the clouds.
"Come over here quickly!" the Pearl Dragon cried out suddenly.
"What's up?" asked the other three, looking down in the direction where the Pearl Dragon pointed. On the earth they saw many people putting out fruits and cakes, and burning incense sticks. They were praying! A white-haired woman, kneeling on the ground with a thin boy on her back, murmured:
"Please send rain quickly, God of Heaven, to give our children rice to eat.."
For there had been no rain for a long time. The crops withered, the grass turned yellow and fields cracked under the scorching sun.
"How poor the people are!" said the Yellow Dragon. "And they will die if it doesn't rain soon."
The Long Dragon nodded. Then he suggested, "Let's go and beg the Jade Emperor for rain."
So saying, he leapt into the clouds. The others followed closely and flew towards the Heavenly Palace.
Being in charge of all the affairs in heaven, on earth and in the sea, the Jade Emperor was very powerful. He was not pleased to see the dragons rushing in. "Why do you come here instead of staying in the sea and behaving yourselves?"
The Long Dragon stepped forward and said, "The crops on earth are withering and dying, Your Majesty. I beg you to send rain down quickly!"
"All right. You go back first, I'll send some rain down tomorrow." The Jade Emperor pretended to agree while listening to the songs of the fairies.
"Thanks, Your Majesty!" The four dragons went happily back.
But ten days passed, and not a drop of rain came down.
The people suffered more, some eating bark, some grass roots, some forced to eat white clay when they ran out of bark and grass roots.
Seeing all this, the four dragons felt very sorry, for they knew the Jade Emperor only cared about pleasure, and never took the people to heart. They could only rely on themselves to relieve the people of their miseries. But how to do it?
Seeing the vast sea, the Long Dragon said that he had an idea.
"What is it? Out with it, quickly!" the other three demanded.
"Look, is there not plenty of water in the sea where we live? We should scoop it up and spray it towards the sky. The water will be like rain drops and come down to save the people and their crops."
"Good idea!" The others clapped their hands.
&Quot;But," said the Long Dragon after thinking a bit, "we will be blamed if the Jade Emperor learns of this."
"I will do anything to save the people," the Yellow Dragon said resolutely.
"Let's begin. We will never regret it." The Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon were not to be outdone.
They flew to the sea, scooped up water in their mouths, and then flew back into the sky, where they sprayed the water out over the earth. The four dragons flew back and forth, making the sky dark all around. Before long the seawater became rain pouring down from the sky.
"It's raining! It's raining!"
"The crops will be saved!"
The people cried and leaped with joy. On the ground the wheat stalks raised their heads and the sorghum stalks straightened up.
The god of the sea discovered these events and reported to the Jade Emperor.
"How dare the four dragons bring rain without my permission!" The Jade Emperor was enraged, and ordered the heavenly generals and their troops to arrest the four dragons. Being far outnumbered, the four dragons could not defend themselves, and they were soon arrested and brought back to the heavenly palace.
"Go and get four mountains to lay upon them so that they can never escape!" The Jade Emperor ordered the Mountain God.
The Mountain God used his magic power to make four mountains fly there, whistling in the wind from afar, and pressed them down upon the four dragons.
Imprisoned as they were, they never regretted their actions. Determined to do good for the people forever, they turned themselves into four rivers, which flowed past high mountains and deep valleys, crossing the land from the west to the east and finally emptying into the sea. And so China's four great rivers were formed -- the Heilongjian (Black Dragon) in the far north, the Huanghe (Yellow River) in central China, the Changjiang (Yangtze, or Long River) farther south, and the Zhujiang (Pearl) in the very far south.
Symbols of rain and water
The Chinese dragon is as a symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art, it is the embodiment of the concept of yang [male] and associated with the weather and water as the bringer of rain.
Chinese dragons are believed to be the rulers of moving bodies of water, such as waterfalls, rivers, or seas. They can show themselves as water spouts (tornado or twister over water). There are four major dragons, one representing each sea. For instance the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Dragon King of the Western Sea, and so forth.
Because of this association, they are seen as "in charge" of water-related weather phenomenon. In premodern times, many Chinese villages (especially those living close to rivers) had temples dedicated to their local "dragon king." In times of drought or flooding, it was customary for the local gentry and government officials to lead the community in offering sacrifices and conducting other religious rites to appease the dragon, either to ask for rain or a cessation thereof.
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汉字“龙”应该音译，不过译成“long”不好，人家会拒绝把这个“长”字配给中国的怪兽，最好用“nong",绝大多数方言区都是读成nong，用方言音译没什么不可以！
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可以翻译为“long”or "Chinese dragon"，目前外国人也基本都理解
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唔........这个似乎很早以前就有人在讨论了
我觉得捏,如果要改的话"long"就不错哈,即尊重了原文化又表现出了龙很长嘛...哈哈:P
("nong"的发音你不觉得太含糊不清脆了吗~~?)
我觉得捏,如果要改的话"long"就不错哈,即尊重了原文化又表现出了龙很长嘛...哈哈:P
("nong"的发音你不觉得太含糊不清脆了吗~~?)
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