Enter the dragon

CEBU, Philippines - The Chinese (Lunar) New Year which starts on January 23 this year of 2012 in the Western calendar is designated as the Year of the Water Dragon. For the Chinese, the Year of the Dragon is a much desired, optimistic year. Many parents would like to have their children born in the year of the Dragon.

However, there are some Chinese Christians who have some reservations celebrating the Year of the Dragon. Their apprehension stems from Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) in the Bible, where verse 9 states:

“The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, ….”

What can we make of that?

To understand the problem, it may help to look into the beliefs about the dragons. Wikipedia describes a dragon as a legendary celestial creature, with typically serpentine or reptilian traits, that is featured in the myths of many cultures.

There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern mythologies; and the Chinese dragon,with counterparts in Japan, Korea and other East Asian countries.

To avoid confusion and difficulties, it is important to understand the role and belief of dragons in the their proper cultural context and tradition, and not to lump them all together. It is important also to remember that the Book of Revelation is an apocalyptic literature. It is full of symbols and was written with a special type of literary language. It should not be interpreted literally. The dragon in the Book of Revelation symbolizes evil power out to destroy humankind.

On the other hand, in many Asian cultures, dragons were, and in some cultures still are, revered as celestial representatives of the primal forces of nature, religion and the universe. They are associated with wisdom – often said to be wiser than humans – and longetivity. They are commonly attributed to possess some form of magic or other supernatural power, and are often associated with wells, rain, and rivers. In some cultures, they are also said to be capable of human speech. Other traditions claim that dragons have taught humans to talk.

The Chinese Dragon is the highest ranking animal in the Chinese animal hierarchy, strongly associated at one time with the emperor, and hence power and majesty. The dragon is still recognized and revered. Oriental dragons are also believed to be protectors of people, the opposite of being destructive to humankind.

In short, it seems we have two different images of dragons: In the Book of Revelation, the Dragon is evil, and an enemy of the people. In the Chinese tradition, dragon is the imperial symbol, the sign of the emperor, or the male element Yang. The Dragon stands for power and wealth, and is perceived to be a protector of the people.

This Chinese New Year, 2012, we are celebrating the Chinese tradition of the Dragon, the good dragon!

According to Chinese Horoscope, the Dragon personality is magnificent. He/she is flamboyant, attractive and full of vitality and strength. It is believed that people born in the year of the Dragon have a natural charisma and are gifted with power and luck. A dragon person has an active mind and shows an undisguised interest in the word around him/her.

People born in the year of the Dragon are often vibrant, magnanimous, charismatic; principled, self-sufficient, discriminating, compelling, sentimental, accomplished, noble-hearted, healthy and prodigiously shrewd.

However, they can also be bombastic, dissatisfied, ruthless, demanding, opinionated, mawkish, egocentric, defensive, power-mad, foolhardy, willful and pompous.

Sources: Wikepedia, the free encyclopidia;

The Year of the Dragon –

Zodiac Sign of the year 2012