Can you tell me the meaning of these symbols?

Question

I'd love to know the meaning of symbols in Eastern Cultures like is the dragon a positive or a negative symbol? And does it have the same characteristics in Tibetian culture for example as in Chinese or Japanese culture? Please, list me all the symbols you know with all their characteristic features you know and that to which culture they belong. I'd appreciate any answers!

Answer 1

Ancient Chinese thought influenced a lot of cultures in Asia- but Buddhism is originally from China- anyhow, to get a rough grip, I'd advise you to think of Ancient China's role in Asia to being similar to that of the Ancient Roman Empire was for most of Europe. That's particularly true for Korea and Japan, but less so for other parts of the regions.

Tibet I think was a sort of cultural bridge between India and China. In some ages it was part of China, in others it was independent. Now China has it again, and the indigenous culture is suffering, even if the people may be beginning to like the money Chinese relations bring in as the Chinese themselves will tell you. Tibetan writing is different from Chinese writing. Korean and Japanese use parts of Chinese writing, and also Chinese thought in their culture. Confucian thought, basically a kind of codified patriarchy, is really important in gender role divisions in a lot of Asian countries now.

Anyhow, you were talking about symbols. Of course, there's a real mish-mash of stuff out there, the area you're talking about is as large as Europe. A classic example that we've taken into the West of course is the twelve animal Chinese Zodiac. So rich!

You said about the dragon? That's lucky and magical, but it has correspondences- the direction ESE, the element wood, the season of late Spring, the hours 7-9 am... and lots more stuff. For example, the dog has the opposite position in the Zodiac. If your horoscope contained a dog element, then you'd watch out between 7 and 9am, and you certainly wouldn't take a journey East South East in that time, you'd go by a more scenic route. Dragons in turn would be weakest at 7-9pm, and wouldn't want to be travelling West South West. Say you'd a picture of a building somewhere in China, and it was painted from the WSW perspective, the artist may put a dog in the picture as well for luck.

I'll just give you a few more examples I know from Japanese- the crane and the turtle are symbols of long life, the wild goose is a symbol of transcience. Foxes are spiritual tricksters, the koi carp is a boys emblem. I mean, the list goes on... if you can give any more solid examples of stuff you'd like to know, I'll do my best...

Answer 2

The questioner only asked about dragons in Eastern belief systems I saw no mention of Western dragon. The Orientals have the same basic core belief that Dragons are wise powerful and can be either good or bad depending on the type of dragon. There are in the myths, cloud dragons, fire, earth, water, celestial and many more.. Traditionally Dragons have been considered beneficial to mankind it was only human beings selfish arrogance that lead to their destruction as we have destroyed so many other species, and life forms. Just one more kindness removed from the earth by narrow minded self serving self important beings who think only THEY are right.

Answer 3

Having purchased a hand painted Chinese bamboo wall hanging of a dragon I was told it was a very lucky symbol. I dont know about the Tabetian culture.

Answer 4

The dragon symbolize the hidden paths of energy, or Qi, that writhe through the cosmos, the seas and air and the earth. Observe a cloud moving and you will notice the dragons there. These forces can be channelled beneficially, and they were noticed by Lao Tzu from whom the philosophy of Taoism comes. Knowing about Taoism can enrich one's life.

Answer 5

?

Here is a symbol, with the search engine of your own mind identify the characteristics of the creature or symbol you have to know about.

A dragon for instance:

It has a tail ???, Why, what does it do, what colour is it, how big is it etc so you can create your own meaning for yourself.

Answer 6

As a Chinese, I know a famous symbol called the Yin Yan.If they are equaled, they bring harmony and vice versa.The colours are usually black and white.The shape is a circle.

Answer 7

you are speaking of 2 different types of dragons.The Eastern Dragon brings good luck,the Western Dragon is a sign of evil

Answer 8

as a chinese, i've heard legends of dragons and pheonix. the chinese believe themselves to be descendants of dragons. Dragons are always used to represent boys and pheonix to represent girls.

Answer 9

All you will probably ever want to know about those questions and much more on dragons can be found here:

http://www.blackdrago.com/hist.htm

Answer 10

There are literally MILLIONS .It's impossible to answer this.Narrow it down a bit