2007-01-25 17:48:48 · 5 answers · asked by michielev 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
The Anyang oracle bones (1500-1050 BC) were a recorded study of meteorological events (weather). There were references to rainbows in this study, which were thought to be visible rain dragons.
The Chinese traditionally believe that dragons are able to control natural forces, such as weather and natural disasters. They are believed to decide where rain falls, as well as to affect river flows and wind conditions. They breathed out heavy mists, which create rain. Some other people even believed that the dragons were able to tell the future or read minds. Dragons were also rumored to be able to give the power of weather control to people.
While most Chinese Dragons were seen as being good, some dragons were seen as evil or aggressive, and were sometimes blamed for natural disasters or poor crops. It has been said that many of the great disasters in Chinese history happened because a mortal has offended a dragon. Most dragons were seen as protectors.
The legend of the dragon is important because it permeates (affects every part of) ancient Chinese civilizations and it has shaped their culture up to the present time. Dragons have been and continue to be the symbol of the Chinese race. Chinese people around the world claim that they are the descendents of the dragons (Lung Tik Chuan Ren).
The dragon is a major part of the Chinese culture- folk religion.
2007-01-25 19:07:21 · answer #1 · answered by sista! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Taoism... Bruce Lee, for example, was born in the 'year' of and the 'hour' of the Dragon. He was called the "Little Dragon." The core of Bruce's philosophy was from the teachings of "Lao tzu," who wrote the "Tao Te Ching". The philosophical roots of Taoism led to the transformation into religious Taoism which was based on most part with mysticism. The dragon symbolizes a mystical power of legendary proportions. It's brings about a sense of awe and wonder as life unfolds into the unknown. No one could better represent the dragon in a human form than the legendary Bruce Lee.
The best translation for "Tao" is "Way"... The "Way" of the Dragon is one of the movies that Bruce created to introduce to the world the Chinese culture through martial arts. This leaves no doubt that the lucky dragon has it's ties with Taoism....
2007-01-26 04:41:16 · answer #2 · answered by what it is 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it belongs to a religion, because there have been more than one religion that's been practiced throughout China. I think the symbol and legends of dragons are just part of Chinese culture.
And by the way, most of the animes that people watch are made by Japanese artists and reflect Japanese culture and not Chinese culture.
2007-01-26 02:02:21 · answer #3 · answered by Emilie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dragon is a very ancient part of Chinese cultural mythology. You could say it is associated with Taoism, but really in the East all the religious traditions tend to overlap.
2007-01-26 02:07:22 · answer #4 · answered by Underground Man 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Buddhism. At least on some Anime,or something i saw before, i guess they have a story like the Christians' "David and Goliath", but a boy was supposed to have defeated a dragon-- instead of a giant--to save a town, or something like that.
2007-01-26 01:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by Miss Understood 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋