Dragons and Parades
Written by Jennifer
In China, dragons play a very
important part. They show up in
literature, arts, songs, poetry, and architecture. Dragons
represent wisdom, celestial and terrestrial power, and strength.
They live in water. It is also believed that they bring good luck
for a farmer’s crops. During the Chinese New Year parades, people
believe that the dragons will keep the people safe from evil spirits
that would ruin the Chinese New Year.
| There are
nine major dragons. Tianlong the Celestial dragon,
Shanlong the Spiritual dragon, Fucanlong the dragon of hidden
treasures, Dilong the underground dragon, Yinlong the winged dragon,
Qiulong the horned dragon, Panlong the coiling dragon who inhabits
water, Huanglong the yellow dragon, and finally, the Dragon King.
There are also two others which are both hornless. Their names
are
Jiao and Li. |
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It is said that all the
dragons have nine children. The oldest is Bixi
which you would find on a giant land turtle structure. The second
child is Chwen who looks like a beast and is always found on a
roof.
The third is Pulau. He looks like a small dragon, likes to roar,
and
you would find him on bells. The forth is Bi’an. He looks
like a
tiger and is so powerful that he is found in prisons. The fifth
is
Taotie. He loves to eat and is found on ancient bronze. The
sixth is
Gongfu. He likes to be in water and is found on bridges.
The seventh
is Yaizi and he likes to kill. The eighth is Suanni and he looks
like
a tiger. The youngest is Jaiotu and he looks like a palm.
Those are
the nine dragons and the nine dragon sons. Today people believe
that
the dragons went away from China, but they still use dragons for
decorations and in parades.
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In China they have
parades
just like in America. During the Chinese
New Year they have lots of them. Everyone is invited to the
parades.
Thousands of people march on the streets in beautiful costumes twirling
flags, banners, and riding on floats. (The floats are usually
dragons
because dragons are traditional in China.) They shoot
firecrackers,
flash lanterns, beat drums, and dance with joy. Each year there
is a
theme to the parades. The flag, banners, and all the floats will
be
decorated according to the theme. That’s a little about the
Chinese
dragons and parade.
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Sources:
http://www.partyweb.org.uk/images/scrapbook/Dragon000624_1.jpg
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/images/2005/06/313896.jpg
http://users.aber.ac.uk/cjy5/nfchinese.htm
http://www.parlumn.com/chinesedragon.html
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