Step into the captivating realm of the year of the Dragon, where power, prosperity, and tradition merge to signal the beginning of a new lunar cycle. Embark on a journey through the vibrant tapestry of Chinese culture, delving into the revered symbolism of the dragon and its influence on beliefs, celebrations, and aspirations.
The Dragon’s Reign: A Year of Power and Prosperity
The year of the Dragon (Long Nian in Mandarin), which the majority of Chinese have been anticipating for years, will finally arrive tomorrow, as we celebrate the first day of Chinese New Year.
The Dragon will reign until the next Chinese New Year’s Eve, January 29, 2025.
If you were born in the year of the Dragon, your sheng xiao or zodiac sign is Dragon.
Although the Dragon is the fifth animal sign of the Chinese Zodiac, based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar’s 12-year cycle, after the Rat, Ox, Tiger, and Rabbit, it is thought to be the most powerful of the twelve.
The other years of the Dragon are 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and so on.
Humans have had a link with the 12 zodiacal animals. It is believed that the years represented by the animals influence the personality of individuals in the same way that western astrology signs do.
People born in the year of the Dragon are often regarded as natural leaders due to their strong characteristics. They possess qualities like power, innovative thinking, and charisma, making them excellent leaders capable of inspiring and guiding their teams to success in various fields, including social organisations, business, politics, and the military.
However, Dragons have some flaws, such as hot-headedness, arrogance, and aggression at times.
Notable figures born in the year of the Dragon include Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, and Gap co-founder Donald Fisher.
The late Bruce Lee (Li Xiao Long), a Chinese-American martial arts expert and movie star born on November 27, 1940, was a “dragon baby”.
It has been noted that more babies are born into Chinese families during the year of the Dragon than in other years.
Statistics show that in 2000, a Dragon year, the birth rate in Hong Kong surged by over five per cent. Births in Mainland China increased by about 950,000 in 2012, compared to the previous year.
When my son, who was born in the year of the Dragon, enrolled at a Chinese-medium school close to my housing estate for Primary One, I remember that he was placed on a waiting list because the normal two classes were fully booked. Fortunately, the school was able to adjust the number to accommodate the additional Dragon boys and girls in both overcrowded classrooms.
Since last year, I’ve heard both newlyweds and couples discussing plans for a Dragon baby in 2024.
Many Chinese couples, both young and old continue to believe that children born in the year of the Dragon will be superior to those born in other years.
I also have two Dragons in my family. Either by coincidence or general truth, my second son is now a medical doctor, and my eldest daughter-in-law is a chartered accountant.
Dragons in Chinese culture
The Dragon is the only animal among the 12 zodiac symbols that cannot be found physically on Earth today.
This mysterious creature could have been created by the human imagination and is linked to folktales and legends.
It is prevalent not only in Chinese culture, but also in other Asian cultures such as Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese, as well as in Western cultures.
According to Chinese legends, dragons come in a variety of forms. Generally, they have been described as an animal with characteristics of several other animals. It has deer horns, camel head, demon eyes, snake neck and body, cockle abdomen, carp fish scales, eagle claws, and tiger paws.
In Chinese culture, the dragon is regarded as an auspicious symbol of luck and prosperity. It is believed that people born under this sign are destined for success and happiness throughout their lives.
The year of the Dragon is said to bring good fortune to both businesses and individuals in their future endeavours.
Dragon — symbol of imperial power
When I visited the Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Museum in Beijing, China, many years ago, I noticed that dragon motifs and statues were predominant throughout the museum.
I learned that the dragon has historically been associated with emperors of China and utilised as a symbol of imperial power.
Outside the Palace Museum, I spotted two prominent dragon pillars, one on the right and one on the left side of the building, which I was told symbolises imperial power. There were two additional of these pillars inside the museum’s inner wall.
During the Tang Dynasty, emperors donned dragon-patterned robes as imperial symbols. The Ti He Hall, where the emperor was enthroned, has six golden pillars with dragons coiling around them. It was also used as a symbol on the national flag during the Qing Dynasty.
According to Wikipedia, dragons (usually with five claws on each foot) were a symbol of the emperor in many Chinese dynasties. During the Qing dynasty, the imperial dragon was yellow or gold, whereas the Ming dynasty’s was red. The imperial throne was known as the Dragon Throne.
Dragons appear in carvings on the stairs and walkways of the Imperial Palace, which I visited. Nine dragon motifs are carved on a huge stone slab measuring 16.75m long, 3.07m wide, and 1.70m thick, created during the early Ming Dynasty.
Many temples, notably the Tua Pek Kong Temple at the junction of Main Bazaar and Temple Street in Kuching, include stone sculptures or concrete walls depicting the nine dragons. Similar dragon walls can be found in many Chinese temples throughout Sarawak.
Siniawan bazaar in Bau has achieved a new record for the longest hanging dragon lantern display in Sarawak, measuring an impressive 298 feet; winding through the narrow wooden shophouses of the renowned old town.
The Lung Hua Kung Temple in Musi, Bau, constructed a huge dragon on its grounds that was completed at the end of last year. It became a landmark symbol and tourist attraction for this little Chinese settlement.
The body is six feet wide and 16 feet high at its highest point, making it one of the state’s largest dragon sculptures.
The mouth and cavity inside the concrete creature are large enough for visitors to enter and exit through the tail. Devotees believe that walking through the dragon’s “stomach” and praying at the wishing well near its head will bring them good luck.
At the Dragon and Tiger Temple in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan, I saw a similar dragon sculpture. Visitors are advised to enter the temple through the mouth of the huge dragon to obtain good luck and exit through the mouth of the tiger to remove bad luck.
As the Chinese New Year approaches, various dragon decorations can be seen in shopping malls in and around Kuching, as well as in towns throughout Malaysia, to add to the festive atmosphere.
Members of the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation erected an eco-dragon, measuring 18.88 metres in length and constructed entirely of recyclable materials, at the well-known White Cat Statue Garden in Jalan Padungan, Kuching, to commemorate the Chinese New Year and spread the word about recycling as a way to preserve the environment. Recently, the Malaysia Book of Records recognised it as the longest dragon of such nature.
More new dragon dance troupes were recently seen performing the eye-dotting or launching ceremony alongside lion dance troupes in Kuching. The troupes would play throughout the Chinese New Year celebrations or make house-to-house calls to offer good luck to their clients (in exchange for ang pows) until the Chap Goh Meh festival, which marked the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
As the year of the Dragon 2024 approaches, Chinese people embrace the mythical creature’s symbolism, hoping for a year of strength, prosperity, and good fortune.
