BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) — Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage once lamented an “incredible identity crisis” as he realized he was “no longer a dragon.” The American movie star regretted that he was not born in 1964 in the Chinese Year of the Dragon, which began in February rather than January on the lunar calendar.
In China, newborns from years such as 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, and, you guessed it, 2024, are called “dragon babies.”
It is believed that they are endowed with courage and wisdom, which are characteristic of Chinese dragons. The dragons are a child, an ox, a tiger, a rabbit, a snake, a horse, a sheep, a monkey, a rooster, a dog, and a pig. However, the dragon stands out as the only mythical animal. It is extremely popular.
Quite different from the fire-breathing monsters of the West, dragons in Chinese culture are symbols of good fortune and prosperity, and are said to bring abundant rainfall, essential for good harvests.
This legendary creature has been very popular throughout Chinese history. The Chinese people consider themselves to be “descendants of the dragon.” Emperors proudly wore elaborately embroidered dragon robes to boast that they were “true dragons from heaven.”
Dragons are important in Chinese culture. From stories passed down through generations to thousand-year-old bronze relics, from annual dragon boat races to dragon dances, this mythical creature holds a special place in the collective memory of the Chinese people. occupies .
Among the many signs of its cultural prominence, the Chinese idiom “chengyu”, usually consisting of four characters, is perhaps the most representative. please look.
Paint the dragon and draw a dot for the pupil
Legend has it that an ancient Chinese painter was commissioned to paint a dragon on a wall. The moment he finally scattered his students, the dragons came to life and took to the sky. A well-known Chinese idiom that refers to the finishing touches that bring a work of art to life.
Interestingly, the custom of “dotting the student” is still very much alive today. Before the lion dance, distinguished guests are invited to “dot the pupils and awaken the lion,” after which the animals are brought to life and entertain the audience with a lively performance.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ang Lee’s martial arts film is named after it and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 2001. Combining his two powerful creatures, the tiger (tiger hó) and the dragon, this idiom is usually used to refer to a “hidden talent”. To some extent, this expression hints at the deep-rooted modesty of the Chinese people, who refrain from aggressive behavior but continue to hone their skills to improve themselves.
Combinations of tiger and dragon are not uncommon in Chengyu, such as “shēng lóng huó hƔ” (brave like a dragon, lively like a tiger, full of energy) and “long 腾 tiger 跃” ( (lóng téng hƔ yuè, the dragon rises, the tiger leaps). – Scenes of lively activity).
Noble like Ryoma
A mystical creature, the dragon horse (龙马 lóng mƎ) is a positive sign of liveliness, vitality, and liveliness in Chinese culture. This expression is often used to greet people at the beginning of the Year of the Dragon or the Year of the Horse.
Parents want their son to become a dragon
What about the girls? They are expected to become “phoenixes” (凤 fèng), as in “wàng nƚ chéng fèng” (wàng nƚ chéng fèng). Although Chinese parents do not aspire to immortalize their children, they are banking heavily on their children’s future successes. It is hoped that with decent education and hard work, their children will succeed in life and flourish like dragons and phoenixes.
In fact, these two imaginary creatures are often grouped together as auspicious symbols, for example, “long fèng chéng xiáng”. Dragons and Phoenixes bring prosperity and good fortune.
