Dragon, the most famous mythological creature in the world. The whole world has the legend of each. But it is undeniable that the Dragon of Chinese legend is most interesting. Could flying creatures bodied snakes, horned and has claws it really exist?
In Europe, dragons are always represented as an evil creature. However, for the Chinese, the dragon symbolizes strength and power. So great tribute to this creature of the Chinese emperors were so gallant proudly wearing a dragon as their symbol.
For the Chinese, the dragon is one of the four spiritual creatures who got the highest respect. Three other creatures is Phoenix, Qilin (Kirin) and Tortoise. But among all, the dragon is the most powerful.
The characteristics of the Dragon and the number 9
In Chinese mythology, the dragon has a very close relationship with the number "9". For example, the real Chinese dragon has nine characteristics that are a combination of other creatures.
- He has a head like a camel
- Scales like a fish
- Horns like a deer
- His eyes were like a stealth
- His ears like an ox
- His neck like a snake
- Her stomach like oysters
- The soles of his feet like a tiger
- And paws are like eagles.
In addition to 9 characteristics, dragon in Chinese mythology called had 9 children who also have different characteristics. He also has 117 scales. 81 of them have the character Yang (positive) and 36 others have the character of Yin (negative).
In general, the Chinese dragon has three or four claws on each foot. However, using the symbol of royal Chinese dragon with five claws to show that the Emperor was not a regular dragon. This symbol became the emblem which may only be used exclusively by the emperor. Anyone who dared to use the symbol of a dragon with five claws will soon be put to death.
In Chinese literature, at least found more than 100 names of different dragons. However, for simplicity's sake, Chinese dragon usually classified into four types, namely:
- Lung Tien or Heaven Dragon who guarded the palace of the gods.
- Shen Lung or Dragon Spiritual in power over the wind and rain
- Ti Lung or Earth Dragon of the waters on the earth's surface
- Lung or Dragons Fucang subterranean world who guarded the treasure in it.
Four types of dragons are probably smelling spiritual, but as I said above, there are about 100 names other dragons. Of the approximately 100 names, it appears that the Chinese dragon was not always associated with spiritual beings. Could be, the dragon is an animal that has real physical. Therefore, we must separate the Spiritual Dragon with Dragon as a real animal.
Chinese Dragons and Cryptozoology
For example, Jiao Lung or Dragon Crocodiles. Dragons and horned species is not known as a leader of the aquatic animals. Based on its name, it is possible that this type of dragon was a crocodile. The mention of this parallel as the Komodo Dragon who uses the dragon to a giant reptilian creatures called dragons. This name clearly indicates that China does not necessarily mean dragon flying creatures bodied snakes, horned, clawed and disgruntled.
Another example is the Pan Lung or Dragon Spiral. This type of dragon dwells in the lake and can not go up into the sky to become spiritual beings. Dragon of this type could be referring to water creatures like snakes or eels. An example is the Oarfish (who lives in the sea) which has a unique characteristic that people often compare it with Chinese dragon
It is possible that a similar creature sightings in the lakes Oarfish China has been regarded as the appearance of a dragon. Then, there is Fei Lung aka Dragon Fly. This dragon has wings and driving clouds and fog. Interestingly, this name is also used to refer to pterosaurs in mandarin. Fei Lung is probably the same kind of dragon European dragon.
Dragon sightings in the history of China
If some Chinese Dragon can be categorized into the cryptid creatures, have no testimony regarding the appearance? The answer: There is! History of the Chinese state began thousands of years BC. During this period, scholars documenting every event in a neat records, including the events of dragon sightings at various places in China.
However, events that poured into it might have been interpreted based on the understanding of the Chinese culture and the past that some of the stories that sound pretty mystical. However, other stories have similarities with the case of an encounter with a cryptid creatures.
One example of dragon sightings recorded in the book Recording for the Jiaxing Regional Government that tells that in September 1588, a white dragon seen flying over the lake's surface area Ping in Pinghu, Zhejiang province. Light emitted from the white dragon is so bright that most of illuminating the sky with a bright red color.
In another book, Recording for the Songjiang Regional Government, noted that 20 years after the appearance of a white dragon in the lake's Ping, a similar white dragon seen flying over the Huangpu River in Songjiang, Shanghai. The dragon was seen in July 1608. A witness said she saw a god standing at the head of the dragon.
The testimony regarding the existence of a god who rides the dragon is an example of an encounter with a dragon's testimony as spiritual beings. In addition, there are other testimonies that did not mention the existence of a god or a dragon fly. These testimonies sounded very similar to the stories of cryptid sightings of creatures in general. Below are some examples:
In the 24th year of the reign of Emperor Jian'an Dong Han dynasty (219 AD), a yellow dragon appeared on the river Chishui Wuyang city and dwell there until nine days before he left. After that, the villagers built a temple there and an inscription was made as a tribute to the dragon.
In April of the year 345 AD, the first year of Emperor Yonghe, two dragons, one white and the other black, appeared on Mount Long. This makes the emergence of the dragon emperor Murong Yan led a number of royal officials, to the mountain to see the dragons. When I got there, they held a religious ceremony at a distance of 200 yards from the second dragon.
Hundreds of years later, in the same mountain, a dragon re-emerged. This event is recorded in the History of the Yuan Dynasty
"In July, the 27th year of the reign of Emperor Zhiyuan (1290 AD), a dragon appeared near Mount Long in the Linxong, Shandong province. Naga was able to make a big rock floating in the air. There is no further explanation of how how to make a dragon flying boulder.
In 1162, a dragon was found dead in a lake called Taibai. Dragon has long tentacle with large scales. Back is black while the belly is white. On the back there is a fin, whereas in the head there are two large horns. Because the creature emit a bad odor, residents and threw a mattress. Local authorities immediately ordered the procurement prayer ceremony at the site. One day after the discovery, the dragon carcass lost some where.
Other testimonies recorded by the book Recording for the Lin'an Regional Government that tells that in 1631, the 4th year of the reign of Emperor Chongzhen, a large dragon seen in a lake in Yunnan province. Because of this appearance, the lake was later named Yilong which means lake mysterious dragon. The name is still used today.
Another book, Amanded Recording of the Tang Dynasty, recorded events invention dead black dragon in Tongcheng territory. This event occurred in the final year of the emperor Xiantong. Interestingly, this book provides a fairly detailed description of the dragon. Mentioned that the length of the dragon is about 30 meters which half is tail. Dragon tail end flat, like fish scales and two horns growing on his head. Barbels on the side of his mouth has a length of 6 meters. Her legs are growing in her belly has a red lining. This description is very similar to the classical picture of the Chinese dragon.
Book Seven Books and Scriptures Long Ying article also notes the discovery of dragon events that occurred in the last year of the reign of Emperor Chenghua Ming Dynasty. The dragon is found on the coast of Xinhui, Guangdong province. Fishermen who saw it hit the creature to death. The length of the dragon is about 10 feet and looks similar to a dragon in classical paintings. The story is quite strange because a fisherman who saw the dragon generally will not beat him to death, given the Chinese people have great respect for these creatures. Perhaps the creature was disturbing the fishermen, but we can not tell.
User History for the Yongping Regional Government noted that in the spring of the 19th of the reign of Emperor Daoguang (1839), a dragon was found in the river in the region Luanhe Laoting. Dragon carcass was seen surrounded by flies and maggots. Local residents then build a shelter to protect it from direct sunlight. They also poured cold water on his body. Legend says that three days later, the dragon back to life and went away.
Events related to the discovery of dragon-art is that occurred in August 1944. Reported a black dragon fell to the ground in the village on the home page Weizi Chen family, approximately 9.4 miles northwest of Zhaoyuan region, south of the Mudan river in Heilongjiang province. The black dragon found in a lifeless condition. Eyewitnesses say this creature has horns on his head and the scales that cover the entire body. The creature has an interesting smell like fish flies to crowding.
Of all the testimony, it appears one interesting question. If Dragon is mentioned in some of the testimony was a real animal, then the animal does have a body like a snake, horns, legs and have antennae on the side of his mouth? That's the mystery.
Sources: http://xfile-enigma.blogspot.com/2010/09/legenda-naga-cina-dan-penampakannya-di.html
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