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[[Image:Xue_Jinghua.jpg|thumb|right|218px|'''Xue Jinghua''' as Wu Qinghua in Act I of [[Red Detachment of Women]]]] |
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{{Original research}} |
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{{otheruses}} |
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[[Image:Dragon chinois.jpg|thumb|right|280px|''[[Chinese dragon]]'', color engraving on wood, Chinese school, nineteenth Century]] |
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The '''dragon''' is a mythical creature typically depicted as a large and powerful [[Serpent (symbolism)|serpent]] or other [[reptile]] with [[magical]] or [[Spirituality|spiritual]] qualities. Mythological creatures possessing some or most of the characteristics typically associated with dragons are common throughout the world's cultures.<ref name=Jones>{{cite book|last=Jones|first=David|title=An Instinct for Dragons|publisher=Routlege|year=2002}}</ref> |
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'''Xue Jinghua''' (born [[October 7]],[[1946]] ) (Chinese: 薛菁华; [[pinyin]]: Xūe Jīnghúa) is a Chinese [[ballerina]] who was cast in the now internationally well-known [[Red Detachment of Women]] of the [[National Ballet of China]] as Wu Qinghua, the heroine of the [[ballet]] for which she became a big-time ''[[prima ballerina]]''. The film version of the ballet was released in 1971 in [[China]], five years into the [[Cultural Revolution]]. As one of the [[Eight model plays]], the film was shown across the country in every cinema, every factory, and every village in the following several years until 1976 when the [[Cultural Revolution]] officially ended. As a consequence of the film, '''Xue Jinghua''' achieved a nationwide fame. [[Liu Qingtang]] was cast as Hong Changqing in the ballet and the film version of it. |
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==Overview== |
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[[Image:Ouroboros_1.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Engraving of [[Ouroboros]] (a dragon swallowing its own tail) by [[Lucas Jennis]], in [[alchemical]] tract titled ''[[De Lapide Philisophico]]''.]] |
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Dragons are commonly portrayed as serpentine or reptilian, hatching from [[egg (biology)|eggs]] and possessing extremely large, typically scaly, bodies; they are sometimes portrayed as having large eyes, a feature that is the origin for the word for dragon in many cultures, and are often (but not always) portrayed with wings and a fiery breath. Some dragons do not have wings at all, but look more like long snakes. Dragons can have a variable number of legs: none, two, four, or more when it comes to early European literature. Modern depictions of dragons are very large in size, but some early European depictions of dragons were only the size of bears, or, in some cases, even smaller, around the size of a butterfly. |
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When [[Richard Nixon]], the thirty-seventh [[President of the United States]], visited China in 1972, he was entertained with a stage production of [[Red Detachment of Women]], and Xue Jinghua performed as Wu Qinghua in the ballet. This, according to Xue, was the best of her numerous performances since 1967. |
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Although dragons (or dragon-like creatures) occur commonly in legends around the world, different cultures have perceived them differently. [[Chinese dragon]]s ({{zh-stp|t=龍|s=龙|p=lóng}}), and Eastern dragons generally, are usually seen as benevolent, whereas [[European dragon]]s are usually malevolent (there are of course exceptions to these rules). Malevolent dragons also occur in [[Persian mythology]] (see [[Zahhak|Azhi Dahaka]]) and other cultures. |
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What happened next was that Xue Jinghua was diagnosed with [[tuberculosis]], and she was bedridden for the next five years. Afterwards, it took her tremendous effort to return her physical condition to the level of a [[ballerina]]. |
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Dragons are particularly popular in China. Along with the [[phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]], the dragon was a symbol of the Chinese emperors. Dragon costumes manipulated by several people are a common sight at Chinese festivals. |
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In 1977, when Xue Jinghua was ready to return to the stage, she experienced her political troubles: she was suspected to be related to the [[Gang of Four]] who had seen their downfall in 1976, and an investigation begun. Meanwhile, she was relegated to work as a seamstress for other ballerinas. She eventually survived her ordeal, unscathed. |
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Dragons are often held to have major spiritual significance in various religions and cultures around the world. In many [[East Asia|Eastern]] and [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] cultures dragons were, and in some cultures still are, revered as representative of the primal forces of [[nature]] and the [[universe]]. They are associated with [[wisdom]]—often said to be wiser than humans—and longevity. They are commonly said to possess some form of [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]] or other supernormal power, and are often associated with wells, rain, and rivers. In some cultures, they are said to be capable of human speech. They are also said to be able to talk to all animals. |
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After the [[Sino-US relationship]] was normalized in 1979, Xue Jinghua was among the first delegation of artists that were sent by the Chinese government to visit the US. |
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Dragons are very popular characters in [[fantasy literature]], [[role-playing games]] and [[video games]] today. |
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In the following decade, Xue visited many countries as a ballerina as well as a representative of Chinese artists. |
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The term ''[[dragoon]]'', for infantry that move around by [[horse]] yet still fight as foot soldiers, is derived from their early [[firearm]], the "dragon", a wide-bore musket that spat flame when it fired, and was thus named for the mythical creature. |
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In 1990, she resigned her position at the [[National Ballet of China | Central Ballet Troupe]] headquaterted in Beijing to join her husband, Chen Ping, in [[Hong Kong]]. Here Xue started working as a ballet coach. Xue and her husband have a daughter, Mimi. |
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==Symbolism== |
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[[Image:Germany Ulm Dragon.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Dragon waterspout on [[Ulm Münster]]]] |
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[[Image:Zmey.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''[[Dobrynya Nikitich]] slaying [[Zmey Gorynych]]'', by [[Ivan Bilibin]]]]In [[Middle Ages|medieval]] symbolism, dragons were often symbolic of [[apostasy]] and treachery, but also of anger and envy, and eventually symbolized great calamity. Several heads were symbolic of decadence and oppression, and also of [[Christian heresy|heresy]]. They also served as symbols for independence, leadership and strength. Many dragons also represent wisdom; slaying a dragon not only gave access to its treasure hoard, but meant the hero had bested the most cunning of all creatures. In some cultures, especially Chinese, or around the Himalayas, dragons are considered to represent good luck. |
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[[Category:Ballerinas|Xue, Jinghua]] |
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[[Joseph Campbell]] in the ''[[The Power of Myth]]'' viewed the dragon as a symbol of divinity or transcendence because it represents the unity of Heaven and Earth by combining the serpent form (earthbound) with the bat/bird form (airborne). |
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[[category:Chinese ballet dancers|Xue, Jinghua]] |
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[[Category:1946 births|Xue, Jinghua]] |
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Dragons embody both male and female traits, as in the example from Aboriginal myth that raises baby humans to adulthood, training them for survival in the world.<ref>(Littleton, 2002, p. 646)</ref> Another striking illustration of the way dragons are portrayed is their ability to breathe fire but live in the ocean. Dragons represent the joining of the opposing forces of the [[cosmos]]. |
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[[Category:Living people|Xue, Jinghua]] |
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Yet another symbolic view of dragons is the [[Ouroborus]], or the dragon encircling and eating its own tail. When shaped like this the dragon becomes a symbol of eternity, natural cycles, and completion. |
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===In Christianity=== |
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The Latin word for a dragon, ''draco'' ([[genitive]]: ''draconis''), actually means ''snake'' or ''serpent'', emphasizing the European association of dragons with snakes, not lizards or dinosaurs as they are commonly associated with today. The Medieval Biblical interpretation of the [[Devil]] being associated with the serpent who tempted [[Adam]] and [[Eve]], thus gave a snake-like dragon connotations of evil. Generally speaking, Biblical literature itself did not portray this association (save for the [[Book of Revelation]], whose treatment of dragons is detailed below). The demonic opponents of [[God]], [[Christ]], or good Christians have commonly been portrayed as reptilian or chimeric. |
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In the [[Book of Job]] Chapter 41, there are references to a sea monster [[Leviathan]], which has some dragon-like characteristics. |
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In [[Book of Revelation|Revelation 12:3]], an enormous red beast with seven heads is described, whose tail sweeps one third of the stars from heaven down to earth (held to be symbolic of the fall of the [[angel]]s, though not commonly held among biblical scholars). In most translations, the word "dragon" is used to describe the beast, since in the original [[Greek language|Greek]] the word used is ''drakon'' (δράκον). |
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In [[iconography]], some Catholic [[saint]]s are depicted in the act of killing a dragon. This is one of the common aspects of [[Saint George]] in [[Egyptian language|Egyptian]] [[Copt]]ic iconography,<ref name="CatchPenny_Slay">{{cite web | url = http://www.catchpenny.org/slay.html | title = Slaying the Dragon | accessdate = 2007-03-17 | last = Orcutt | first = Larry | year = 2002 }}</ref> on the [[coat of arms of Moscow]], and in [[England|English]] and [[Principality of Catalonia|Catalan]] legend. In [[Italy]], [[Saint Mercurialis]], first bishop of the city of [[Forlì]], is also depicted slaying a dragon.<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06137a.htm</ref> [[Saint Julian of Le Mans]], [[Saint Veran]], [[Saint Crescentinus]], Saint [[Margaret of Antioch]], Saint [[Martha]], and [[Saint Leonard of Noblac]] were also venerated as dragon-slayers. |
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However, some say that dragons were good, before they [[The Fall of Man|fell from grace]], as humans did from the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve's Original Sin was committed. Also contributing to the good dragon argument in Christianity is the fact that, if they did exist, they were created as were any other creature, as seen in [[Dragons In Our Midst]], a contemporary Christian book series by author [[Bryan Davis (author)|Bryan Davis]]. |
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===Chinese zodiac=== |
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The years [[1916]], [[1928]], [[1940]], [[1952]], [[1964]], [[1976]], [[1988]], [[2000]], [[2012]], [[2024]], [[2036]], [[2048]], [[2060]] etc. (every 12 years — 8 [[Anno Domini|AD]]) are considered the [[Year of the Dragon]] in the [[Chinese zodiac]]. |
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The Chinese zodiac purports that people born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also supposedly honest, sensitive, brave, and inspire confidence and trust. The Chinese zodiac purports that people whose zodiac sign is the dragon are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They supposedly neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are purported to be compatible with people whose zodiac sign is of the [[Rat (Zodiac)|rat]], [[Snake (Zodiac)|snake]], [[Monkey (Zodiac)|monkey]], and [[Rooster (Zodiac)|rooster]]. |
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===In East Asia=== |
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{{main|Chinese dragon}} {{main|Vietnamese dragon}} |
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Dragons are commonly symbols of good luck or health in some parts of [[Asia]], and are also sometimes worshipped. Asian dragons are considered as mythical rulers of weather, specifically rain and water, and are usually depicted as the guardians of [[pearl]]s. |
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In [[China]], as well as in [[Japan]] and [[Korea]], the [[Azure Dragon (Chinese constellation)|Azure Dragon]] is one of the [[Four Symbols (Chinese constellation)|Four Symbols]] of the [[Chinese constellation]], representing [[spring (season)|spring]], the element of [[Wood]] and the [[east]]. Chinese dragons are often shown with large pearls in their grasp, though some say that it is really the dragon's egg. The Chinese believed that the dragons lived underwater most of the time, and would sometimes offer [[rice]] as a gift to the dragons. The dragons were not shown with wings like the European dragons because it was believed they could fly using magic. |
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A ''Yellow dragon'' (Huang long) with five claws on each foot, on the other hand, represents the change of seasons, the element of [[Earth (classical element)|Earth]] (the Chinese 'fifth element') and the center. Furthermore, it symbolizes imperial authority in [[China]], and indirectly the [[Han Chinese|Chinese people]] as well. Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the Dragon" as a sign of ethnic identity. The dragon is also the symbol of royalty in [[Bhutan]] (whose sovereign is known as [[Druk Gyalpo]], or Dragon King). |
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[[Image:Laonaga.JPG|thumb|right|200px|A [[naga (mythology)|naga]] guarding the Temple of [[Wat Sisaket]] in [[Vientiane|Viang Chan]], Laos]]In [[Vietnam]], the '''dragon''' ([[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]: rồng) is the most important and sacred symbol. According to the ancient [[creation myth]] of the [[Kinh]] people, all Vietnamese people are descended from dragons through [[Lac Long Quan|Lạc Long Quân]], who married [[Au Co|Âu Cơ]], a fairy. The eldest of their 100 sons founded the first dynasty of [[Hùng Vương]] Emperors. |
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In [[the Philippines]], the Bakonawa appears as a gigantic serpent that lives in the sea. Ancient natives believed that the Bakonawa caused the moon or the sun to disappear during an eclipse. |
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The [[Naga (mythology)|Nāga]] - a minor [[deity]] taking the form of a [[Snake|serpent]] - is common within both the [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist]] traditions. Technically, the naga is not a dragon, though it is often taken as such; the term is ambiguous, and refers both to a [[tribe]] of people known as 'Nāgas', as well as to [[elephant]]s and ordinary snakes. Within a [[mythological]] context, it refers to a deity assuming the form of a serpent with either one or many heads. |
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Occasionally the [[Buddha]] is depicted as sitting upon the coils of a serpent, with a fan of several serpent heads extending over his body. This is in reference to [[Mucalinda]], a Nāga that protected [[Gautama Buddha|Śākyamuni Buddha]] from the elements during the time of his enlightenment. Separated from the contextualising effect of the Buddha story, people may see only the head and thus infer that Mucalinda is a dragon, rather than a deity in serpentine form. Stairway railings on Buddhist temples will occasionally be worked to resemble the body of a Nāga with the head at the base of the railing. In [[Thailand]], the head of Nāga, in a more impressionistic form, can be seen at the corners of temple roofs, with Nāga’s body forming the ornamentation on roofline eves up to the [[gable]]s. |
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==Speculation on the origins of dragons== |
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It has been suggested that legends of dragons are based upon ordinary creatures coupled with common psychological tendencies amongst disparate groups of humans. |
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Some believe that the dragon may have had a real-life counterpart from which the various legends arose — typically [[dinosaurs]] or other [[archosaurs]] are mentioned as a possibility — but there is no physical evidence to support this claim, only alleged sightings collected by [[cryptozoology|cryptozoologists]]. In a common variation of this hypothesis, giant [[lizard]]s such as [[Megalania]] are substituted for the [[living dinosaurs]]. Some believe dragons are mental manifestations representing an assembly of inherent human fears of reptiles, teeth, claws, size and fire in combination. All of these hypotheses are widely considered to be [[pseudoscience]]. |
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Dinosaur and mammalian fossils were occasionally mistaken as the bones of dragons and other mythological creatures — a discovery in 300 BC in [[Wucheng]], [[Sichuan]], [[China]], was labeled as such by [[Chang Qu]].<ref>http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s1334145.htm</ref> It is unlikely, however, that these finds alone prompted the legends of such monsters, but they may have served to reinforce them. |
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It has also been suggested by proponents of [[catastrophism]] that [[comet]]s or [[meteor]] showers gave rise to legends about fiery serpents in the sky.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} In Old English, comets were sometimes called fyrene dracan or fiery dragons. Volcanic eruptions may have also been{{Fact|date=March 2007}} responsible for reinforcing the belief in dragons, although instances in Europe and Asian countries were rare. |
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==Dragons in world mythology== |
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<div align="center"> |
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<gallery> |
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Image:Marduk and pet.jpg|The ancient [[Mesopotamia]]n god [[Marduk]] and his dragon, from a [[Babylonia]]n cylinder seal |
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Image:Hopperstad dragon.jpg|Dragon carving on [[Hopperstad stave church]], [[Norway]] |
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Image:Paolo Uccello 050.jpg|[[Saint George]] slaying the dragon, as depicted by [[Paolo Uccello]], c. 1470 |
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Image:Flag of Wales 2.svg|The red dragon of [[Wales]], [[Y Ddraig Goch]], on the [[Flag of Wales]] |
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</gallery> |
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</div> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | [[Chinese dragon|Asian dragon]]s |
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|- |
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| [[Indonesian dragon]] |
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| '''Naga or Nogo''' |
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| Naga is a mythical animal from Indonesian mythology, and the myth encompasses almost all of the islands of Indonesia, especially those who were influenced heavily by Hindu culture. Like its Indian counterpart, it is considered as divine in nature, benevolent, and often associated with sacred mountains, forests, or certain parts of the sea. |
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In some parts of Indonesia, Dragon or Naga is depicted as a gigantic serpent with a golden crown on its forehead, and there is a persistent belief among certain peoples that Nagas are still alive in uncharted mountains, lakes and active volcanoes. |
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In Java and Bali, dragons represent goodness, and gods send dragons to the earth in order to maintain the force of good and gave people prosperity. |
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Some natives claimed sightings of this fabled beast, and considered as a good omen if someone happen to glimpse one of these animals, but misfortune if the dragons talked to them. |
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[[Cambodia]]n myth also involves nagas. Cambodian myth has it that the Cambodian nation began with offspring of a naga and royal human. |
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|- |
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| [[Chinese dragon]] |
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| '''Lóng''' (or '''Lung''') |
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| Lóng have a long, scaled serpentine form combined with the attributes of other animals; most (but not all) are wingless, and has four claws on each foot (five for the imperial emblem). They are rulers of the weather and [[water]], and a symbol of power. They also carried their eggs which were thought to have been huge pearls in their hands. |
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|- |
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| [[Japanese dragon]] |
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| '''Ryū''' |
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| Similar to Chinese and Korean dragons, with three claws instead of four. They are benevolent (with exceptions), associated with water, and may grant wishes; rare in Japanese mythology. |
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|- |
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| [[Philippine Dragon]] |
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| '''Bakonawa''' |
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| The Bakonawa appears as a gigantic serpent that lives in the sea. |
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Ancient natives believed that the Bakonawa caused the moon or the sun to disappear during an eclipse. |
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It is said that during certain times of the year, the bakonawa arises from the ocean and proceeds to swallow the moon whole. To keep the Bakonawa from completely eating the moon, the natives would go out of their houses with pans and pots in hand and make a noise barrage in order to scare the Bakonawa into spitting out the moon back into the sky. |
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In popular Filipino folk literature, the Bakonawa is said to have a sister in the form of a sea turtle. The sea turtle would visit a certain island in the Philippines in order to lay its eggs. However, locals soon discovered that every time the sea turtle went to shore, the water seemed to follow her, thus reducing the island's size. Worried that their island would eventually disappear, the locals killed the sea turtle. |
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When the Bakonawa found out about this, it arose from the sea and ate the moon. The locals were so afraid that they prayed to Bathala to punish the Bakonawa. Bathala refused but instead, told them to bang some pots and pans in order to disturb the Bakonawa. The Bakonawa then regurgitated the moon and disappeared, never to be seen again. |
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The island where the sea turtle lays its eggs is said to exist until today. Some sources say that the island might just be one of the Turtle Islands. |
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|- |
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| [[Vietnamese dragon]] |
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| '''Rồng''' or '''Long''' |
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| These dragons' bodies curve lithely, in [[sine]] shape, with 12 sections, symbolising 12 months in the year. They are able to change the weather, and are responsible for crops. On the dragon's back are little, uninterrupted, regular fins. The head has a long mane, beard, prominent eyes, crest on nose, but no horns. The jaw is large and opened, with a long, thin tongue; they always keep a ''châu'' (gem/jewel) in their mouths (a symbol of humanity, nobility and knowledge). |
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|- |
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| rowspan="3" | [[Korean dragon]] |
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| '''Yong''' |
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| A sky dragon, essentially the same as the Chinese lóng. Like the lóng, yong and the other Korean dragons are associated with water and weather. |
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|- |
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| '''yo''' |
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| A hornless ocean dragon, sometimes equated with a [[sea serpent]]. |
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|- |
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| '''kyo''' |
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| A mountain dragon. |
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|- |
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|[[Siberian dragon]] |
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| '''[[Yilbegan]]''' |
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| Related to European Turkic and Slavic dragons |
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|- |
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|Indian Dragon |
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|'''Vyalee and Naga''' |
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|There is some debate as to whether or not Vyalee is considered a dragon. It is found in temples and is correlated with the goddess Parvati. Naga is the main dragon of Indian and Hindu mythology. Nagas are a race of magical serpents that live below water. Their king wears a golden crown atop his head. The Nagas are associated with Buddha and mainly with Lord Vishnu and his incarnations (Dasavataras). When Krishna was a child, he wrestled with a Naga that was obstructing a lake. |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | [[European dragon]]s |
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|- |
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| Sardinian dragon |
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| '''[[scultone]]''' |
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| The dragon named "scultone" or "ascultone" belongs to the tradition of Sardinia, [[Italy]] from many millenniums. It had the power to kills the human beings by its gaze. It was a sort of basilisk, lived in the bush and was never killed. |
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|- |
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| Scandinavian & Germanic dragons |
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| '''[[lindworm]]''' |
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| Or the "Draco serpentalis" is a very large wingless serpent with two legs, the lindworm is really closer to a [[wyvern]] or to a [[knucker]]. They were believed to eat cattle and symbolized pestilence, but seeing one was considered good luck. The dragon [[Fafnir]], killed by the legendary hero [[Sigurd]], was called an ormr ('worm') in Old Norse and was in effect a giant snake; it neither flew nor breathed fire. The dragon killed by the Old English hero [[Beowulf]], on the other hand, did fly and breathe fire and was actually a European dragon. |
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|- |
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| Welsh dragon |
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| '''[[Y Ddraig Goch]]''' |
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| The red dragon is the traditional symbol of Wales and appears on the Welsh national flag. |
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|- |
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| rowspan="3" | Hungarian dragons (Sárkányok) |
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| '''[[zomok]]''' |
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| A great snake living in a swamp, which regularly kills [[pig]]s or [[sheep]]. A group of shepherds can easily kill them. |
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|- |
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| '''[[sárkánykígyó]]''' |
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| A giant winged snake, which in fact a full-grown ''zomok''. It often serves as flying mount of the ''garabonciások'' (a kind of magician). The ''sárkánykígyó'' rules over storms and bad weather. |
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|- |
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| '''[[sárkány]]''' |
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| A dragon in human form. Most of them are giants with multiple heads. Their strength is held in their heads. They become gradually weaker as they lose their heads. |
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|- |
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| [[Slavic dragon]]s |
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| '''zmey''', '''zmiy''', '''змей''', or '''zmaj''' |
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| Similar to the conventional European dragon, but multi-headed. They breathe fire and/or leave fiery wakes as they fly. In Slavic and related tradition, dragons symbolize evil. Specific dragons are often given [[Turkic languages|Turkic]] names (see Zilant, below), symbolizing the long-standing conflict between the Slavs and Turks. |
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|- |
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| Romanian dragons |
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| '''[[balaur]]''' |
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| Balaur are very similar to the Slavic ''zmey'': very large, with fins and multiple heads. |
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|- |
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| [[Chuvash dragons]] |
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| '''[[Vere Celen]]''' |
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|Chuvash dragons represent the pre-Islamic mythology of the same region. |
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|- |
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| [[Asturian]] dragons |
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| '''[[Cuélebre]]''' |
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| In [[Asturias|Asturian]] mythology the [[Cuélebre]]s are giant winged serpents, which live in caves where they guard treasures and kidnapped [[xana]]s. They can live for centuries and, when they grow really old, they use their wings to fly. Their breath is poisonous and they often kill cattle to eat. [[Asturian]] term ''Cuelebre'' comes from Latin ''colŭbra'', i.e. snake. |
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|- |
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| Tatar dragons |
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| '''[[Zilant]]''' |
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| Really closer to a [[wyvern]], the Zilant is the symbol of [[Kazan]]. ''Zilant'' itself is a Russian rendering of Tatar ''yılan'', i.e. snake. |
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|- |
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| Turkish dragons |
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| '''[[Ejderha]] or [[Evren]]''' |
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| This creature is strikingly different from its fire breathing, flying European counterpart. The Turkish Dragon secretes flames from its tail, and there is no mention in any legends of its having wings, or even legs. In fact, most Turkish (and later, Islamic) sources describe dragons as gigantic snakes. The blood of the Turkish Dragon has its medical properties, becoming a panacea if drawn from the head and a lethal poison if drawn from the tail. |
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|- |
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| rowspan="2" | Basque dragons |
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| '''[[Herensuge]]''' |
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| Basque for "dragon". One legend has [[Archangel Michael|St. Michael]] descending from Heaven to kill it, but only when [[God]] agreed to accompany him, so fearful it was. |
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|- |
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| '''[[Sugaar]]''' |
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| The male god of [[Basque mythology]], also called '''Maju''', was often associated to a serpent or snake, though he can adopt other forms. |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | American dragons |
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|- |
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| Meso-American dragon |
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| '''[[Amphitere]]''' |
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| Feathered serpent deity responsible for giving knowledge to mankind, and sometimes also a symbol of death and resurrection. |
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|- |
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| Inca dragon |
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| Amaru |
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| A dragon (sometimes called a snake) on the [[Inca]] culture. The last Inca emperor [[Tupak Amaru]]'s name means "Lord Dragon" |
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|- |
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| Brazilian dragon |
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| '''[[Boi-tata]]''' |
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| A dragon-like animal (sometimes like a snake) of the [[Indigenous peoples in Brazil|Brazilian Indian]] cultures. |
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|- |
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| Chilean dragon |
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| Caicaivilu and Tentenvilu |
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| Snake-type dragons, [[Caicaivilu]] was the sea god and [[Tentenvilu]] was the earth god, both from the [[Chile]]an island [[Chiloé Island|Chiloé]]. |
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|- |
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|colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | African dragons |
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|- |
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|African dragon |
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|'''[[Amphisbaena]]''' |
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| Possibly originating in northern Africa (and later moving to Greece), this was a two-headed dragon (one at the front, and one on the end of its tail). The front head would hold the tail (or neck as the case may be) in its mouth, creating a circle that allowed it to roll. |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | Dragon-like creatures |
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|- |
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| colspan="2" | '''[[Basilisk]]''' |
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| A basilisk is hatched by a cockerel from a serpent's egg. It is a lizard-like or snake-like creature that can supposedly kill by its gaze, its voice, or by touching its victim. Like [[Medusa]], a basilisk may be destroyed by seeing itself in a mirror. It is also portayed in [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]] as a large grey snake, with foot long fangs and yellow eyes. Anybody who looks into these eyes will be killed. |
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|- |
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| colspan="2" | '''[[Leviathan]]''' |
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| In [[Hebrews|Hebrew]] mythology, a leviathan was a large creature with fierce teeth. Contemporary translations identify the leviathan with the crocodile, but maintaining a strict Biblical perspective the leviathan can breathe fire (Job 41:18-21), can fly (Job 41:5), it cannot be pierced with spears or harpoons (Job 41:7), its scales are so closely fit that there is no room between them (Job 41:15-16), it walks upright (Job 41:12), its mouth is powerful and contains many formidable teeth (Job 41:14), its underbelly has sharp scales that could cut a person (Job 41:30), and, over all, it is a terrifying creature. Over time, the term came to mean any large sea monster; in [[Hebrew language|modern Hebrew]], "leviathan" simply means [[whale]]. A [[sea serpent]] is also closely related to the dragon, though it is more snakelike and lives in the water. |
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|- |
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| colspan="2" | '''[[Wyvern]]''' |
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| Much more similar to a dragon than the other creatures listed here, a wyvern is a winged serpent with either two or no legs. The term wyvern is used in [[heraldry]] to distinguish two-legged from four-legged dragons. Also sometimes noted as the largest species of dragon. |
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|- |
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| colspan="2" | '''[[zmeu]]''' |
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| Derived from the Slavic dragon, zmeu are ''humanoid'' figures that can fly and breathe fire. |
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|- |
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| colspan="2" | '''[[cockatrice]]''' |
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| A bird-like reptile sometimes confused with a basilisk. In Gerald Durrell's book "The Talking Parcel", they attempt genocide against dragons by stealing the last dragon eggs |
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|- |
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| colspan="2" | '''[[Quetzalcoatl|Quetzalcóatl]]''' |
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| A Central-American or Mexican creature with both scales and feathers worshipped by the [[Toltec]]s and [[Aztec]]s. |
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|} |
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==Notable dragons== |
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===In myth=== |
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{{main|List of dragons in mythology and folklore}} |
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* [[Zahhak|Azhi Dahaka]] was a three-headed demon often characterized as dragon-like in [[Persia]]n [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] mythology. |
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* Similarly, [[Ugaritic]] myth describes a seven-headed [[sea serpent]] named [[Lotan]]. |
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*The [[Lernaean Hydra|Hydra]] of [[Greek mythology]] is a water serpent with multiple heads with mystic powers. When one was chopped off, two would regrow in its place. This creature was vanquished by [[Heracles]] and his cousin. |
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* [[Smok Wawelski]] was a [[Poland|Polish]] dragon who was supposed to have terrorized the hills around [[Kraków]] in the [[Middle Ages]]. |
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* [[Y Ddraig Goch]] is now the symbol of Wales (see flag, above), originally appearing as the red dragon from the [[Mabinogion]] story ''Lludd and Llevelys''. |
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* [[Nidhogg]], a dragon in [[Norse mythology]], was said to live in the darkest part of the [[Underworld]], awaiting [[Ragnarok]]. At that time he would be released to wreak destruction on the world. |
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* [[Orochi]], the [[multi-headed animal|eight-headed]] serpent slain by [[Susanoo]] in [[Japanese mythology]] |
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===In literature and fiction=== |
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{{main|List of fictional dragons}} |
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The Old English epic [[Beowulf]] ends with the hero battling a dragon. |
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Dragons remain fixtures in fantasy books, though portrayals of their nature differ. For example, [[Smaug]], from ''[[The Hobbit]]'' by [[J. R. R. Tolkien]], who is a classic, European-type dragon; deeply magical, he hoards treasure and burns innocent towns. Contrary to most old folklore and literature J. R. R. Tolkien's dragons are very intelligent and can cast spells over mortals. |
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A common theme in literature concerning dragons is the partnership between humans and dragons. This is evident in ''[[Dragon Rider]]'' and the ''[[Inheritance Trilogy]]''. Most notably it is featured in [[Anne McCaffrey]]'s ''[[Dragonriders of Pern]]'' series. |
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Dragons have been portrayed in several movies of the past few decades, and in many different forms. In ''[[Dragonslayer]]'' ([[1981]]), a "sword and sorcerer"-type film set in [[medieval Britain]], a dragon terrorizes a town's population. In contrast, ''[[Dragonheart]]'' ([[1996]]), though also given a medieval context, was a much lighter action/adventure movie that spoofed the "terrorizing dragon" stereotype, and depicts dragons as usually good beings, who in fact often save the lives of humans. Dragons can also be passionate protectors, just like the dragon in ''[[Shrek]]'' and ''[[Shrek 2]]'', who displays her affection for a [[donkey]]. ''[[Reign of Fire]]'' ([[2002]]), also dark and gritty, dealt with the consequences of dormant dragons reawakened in the modern world. |
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Dragons are common (especially as [[non-player characters]]) in ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' and in some [[computer]] [[fantasy]] [[role-playing game]]s. They, like many other dragons in modern culture, run the full range of good, evil, and everything in between. See [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)]] for additional information. |
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On the lighter side, ''[[Puff the Magic Dragon]]'' was first a poem, later a song made famous by [[Peter, Paul and Mary]], that has become a pop-culture mainstay. |
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===As emblems=== |
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[[Image:Fcporto.jpg|70px|thumb|F.C. Porto emblem. The dragon is at the top.]] |
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The dragon is the emblem of [[Ljubljana]], [[Slovenia]]. The city has a dragon bridge which is embellished with four dragon depictions. The city's basketball club is nicknamed the "Green Dragons". License plates on cars from the city also feature a dragon depiction. |
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Y Ddraig Goch (IPA: [ə ðraig gox]) (Welsh for the red dragon) appears on the national Flag of Wales (the flag itself is also called the "Draig Goch"), and is the most famous dragon in Britain. There are many legends about y Ddraig Goch. |
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The dragon is also in the emblem of [[FC Porto]], a [[sports]] club from [[Portugal]], which is nicknamed "Dragões" (Dragons). Their [[football]] [[stadium]] is also nicknamed "Estádio do Dragão" (Dragon Stadium) and has a large bronze Dragon logo at the entrance. |
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==Dragon slaying== |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|- |
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| Slayer |
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| Dragon |
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| Method/weapon |
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| Origin |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | [[Mythology]] |
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|- |
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| [[Saint George]] |
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| unnamed [[Saint George and the Dragon | dragon]] |
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| lance (or sword) named [[Ascalon]] |
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| Christianity |
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|- |
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| [[Heracles]] |
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| [[Lernaean Hydra]], [[Ladon]] |
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| Hydra (assisted by his nephew [[Iolaus]]): flaming arrows, harvesting sickle, firebrand to scorch the neck stumps. |
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| Greek |
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|- |
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| [[Apollo]] |
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| [[Python]] |
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| arrows |
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| Greek |
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|- |
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| [[Beowulf (hero) | Beowulf]] (assisted by [[Wiglaf]]) |
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| unnamed dragon |
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| sword and shield |
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| Old English |
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|- |
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| [[Sigurd]] |
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| [[Fafnir]] |
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| sword named Gram |
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| Norse |
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|- |
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| [[Dobrynya Nikitich]] |
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| [[Zmey Gorynych]] |
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| a lance (at least in the illustration by [[Ivan Bilibin]]) |
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| Russian |
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|- |
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| [[Susanoo]] |
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| [[Yamata no Orochi]] |
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| cutting it into pieces with his sword |
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| Japanese |
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|- |
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| [[John Lambton]] |
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| the [[Lambton Worm]] |
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| spearhead-studded armor |
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| English |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | [[Fantasy literature]] |
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|- |
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| [[Bard the Bowman]] |
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| [[Smaug]] |
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| the Black Arrow |
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| [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] |
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|- |
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| [[Túrin Turambar]] |
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| [[Glaurung]] |
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| his Black Sword |
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| [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] |
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|- |
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| [[Éowyn]] |
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| the dragon-like [[fell beast]] |
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| sword and shield |
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| [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | [[Film]] |
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|- |
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| Prince Philip |
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| [[Maleficent]] in dragon form |
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| sword and shield |
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| [[Sleeping Beauty (1959 film) | Sleeping Beauty]] (1959) |
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|- |
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| Galen Bradwarden and Ulrich |
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| Vermithrax Pejorative |
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| explosive wizard (Ulrich) |
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| [[Dragonslayer]] (1981) |
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|- |
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| Madmartigan |
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| the Ebersisk |
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| sword through head resulting in explosion |
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| [[Willow (film) | Willow]] (1988) |
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|- |
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| Sir Bowen |
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| several unnamed dragons, Draco |
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| varying |
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| [[Dragonheart]] (1996) |
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|- |
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| Denton Van Zan |
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| unnamed and unnumbered dragons |
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| varying |
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| [[Reign of Fire (film) | Reign of Fire]] (2002) |
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|- |
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| Quinn Abercromby (assisted by Alexandra Jensen) |
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| the “bull” dragon |
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| explosive-tipped arrow |
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| [[Reign of Fire (film) | Reign of Fire]] (2002) |
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|- |
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| colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffa; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | [[Comics]] |
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|- |
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| [[Mordath]] |
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| [[Shiara]] |
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| fire magic |
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| [[Sojourn (comics) | Sojourn]] (2001-2004) |
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|} |
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See also [[Princess and dragon]]. |
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==See also== |
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{{wiktionarypar|dragon}} |
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{{commons|Dragon}} |
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* [[European dragon]] |
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* [[Chinese dragon]] |
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* [[Slavic dragon]] |
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* [[Saint George and the Dragon]] |
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* Real-life reptile species such as the [[Komodo Dragon]] and the [[Draco lizard|Draco Lizards]] |
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* ''[[An Instinct for Dragons]]'' |
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* [[Dragon Kung Fu]] |
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* [[Princess and dragon]] |
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* [[Pig dragon]] |
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* [[Ouroboros]] |
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* [[Beowulf]] |
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* [[Sigurd]] |
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* [[Fafnir]] |
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* The Garden of the [[Hesperides]], guarded by the dragon Ladon |
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* [[Yamata no Orochi]] |
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* [[Susanoo]] |
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==Further reading== |
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*''Dragons, A Natural History'' by [[Karl Shuker|Dr. Karl Shuker]] Simon & Schuster (1995) ISBN 0-684-81443-9 |
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*''[[A Book of Dragons]]'' by [[Ruth Manning-Sanders]] (a representative collection of dragon [[fairy tales]] from around the world) |
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==Notes== |
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<div class="references-small"> |
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<references/> |
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</div> |
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==References== |
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{{Unreferenced|date=April 2007}} |
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* Littleton, C. Scott. (2002). ''Mythology. The Illustrated Anthology of World Myth and Storytelling.'' London: Duncan Baird. |
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==External links== |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6171963.stm Chinese Dragons in the news] |
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*[http://www.loong.us/ Professor Huang Li's backgrounder on the difference between the Chinese and Western conceptions of dragons] |
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*[http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/dragons/index.html Dragons at Animal Planet] |
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*[http://www.koreasociety.org/content/view/15/38/ Lecture: The Meaning of Dragons in Korean Folklore from The Korea Society] |
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*[http://www.draconika.com/ Draconika Dragons] |
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*[http://www.polenth.com/ The Dragon Stone] |
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*[http://www.sommerland.org Sommerland] |
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[[Category:Dragons| ]] |
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[[Category:Cryptids]] |
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[[Category:Heraldic beasts]] |
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[[Category:Mythological hybrids]] |
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{{Link FA|lv}} |
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[[bs:Zmaj (mitologija)]] |
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[[ca:Drac]] |
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[[cs:Drak]] |
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[[da:Drage (fabeldyr)]] |
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[[de:Drache (Mythologie)]] |
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[[el:Δράκοντας]] |
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[[es:Dragón]] |
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[[eo:Drako]] |
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[[fa:اژدها]] |
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[[fr:Dragon (créature fantastique)]] |
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[[ko:용]] |
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[[hr:Zmaj]] |
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[[id:Naga]] |
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[[is:Dreki (goðsagnavera)]] |
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[[it:Drago]] |
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[[he:דרקון (יצור אגדי)]] |
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[[kw:Dragon]] |
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[[ku:Ejdiya]] |
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[[la:Draco]] |
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[[lv:Pūķis]] |
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[[lb:Draach (Mythologie)]] |
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[[hu:Sárkány]] |
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[[nl:Draak (fabeldier)]] |
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[[ja:ドラゴン]] |
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[[no:Drage]] |
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[[nrm:Dragon]] |
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[[oc:Dragon]] |
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[[pl:Smok]] |
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[[pt:Dragão]] |
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[[ro:Dragon]] |
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[[ru:Дракон]] |
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[[sco:Draigon]] |
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[[simple:Dragon]] |
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[[sh:Zmaj]] |
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[[fi:Lohikäärme (taruolento)]] |
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[[sv:Drake]] |
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[[th:มังกร]] |
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[[vi:Rồng]] |
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[[tr:Ejderha]] |
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[[zh:西方龍]] |
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Revision as of 09:21, 22 April 2007
Xue Jinghua (born October 7,1946 ) (Chinese: 薛菁华; pinyin: Xūe Jīnghúa) is a Chinese ballerina who was cast in the now internationally well-known Red Detachment of Women of the National Ballet of China as Wu Qinghua, the heroine of the ballet for which she became a big-time prima ballerina. The film version of the ballet was released in 1971 in China, five years into the Cultural Revolution. As one of the Eight model plays, the film was shown across the country in every cinema, every factory, and every village in the following several years until 1976 when the Cultural Revolution officially ended. As a consequence of the film, Xue Jinghua achieved a nationwide fame. Liu Qingtang was cast as Hong Changqing in the ballet and the film version of it.
When Richard Nixon, the thirty-seventh President of the United States, visited China in 1972, he was entertained with a stage production of Red Detachment of Women, and Xue Jinghua performed as Wu Qinghua in the ballet. This, according to Xue, was the best of her numerous performances since 1967.
What happened next was that Xue Jinghua was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and she was bedridden for the next five years. Afterwards, it took her tremendous effort to return her physical condition to the level of a ballerina.
In 1977, when Xue Jinghua was ready to return to the stage, she experienced her political troubles: she was suspected to be related to the Gang of Four who had seen their downfall in 1976, and an investigation begun. Meanwhile, she was relegated to work as a seamstress for other ballerinas. She eventually survived her ordeal, unscathed.
After the Sino-US relationship was normalized in 1979, Xue Jinghua was among the first delegation of artists that were sent by the Chinese government to visit the US.
In the following decade, Xue visited many countries as a ballerina as well as a representative of Chinese artists.
In 1990, she resigned her position at the Central Ballet Troupe headquaterted in Beijing to join her husband, Chen Ping, in Hong Kong. Here Xue started working as a ballet coach. Xue and her husband have a daughter, Mimi.