Hello

Da Jia Hao! Hello, everybody! We have been on, or, are about to go 
on a learning journey not only with a new language, but also with a 
different culture. Together we will make this learning fun and exciting.

Some of my students have asked me about the association of Chinese culture 
to the symbol of dragon. I did not have a direct answer. After researching 
on 
the Internet I have found a few different versions about this Chinese 
legend. The Chinese people have called themselves descendants of the dragon 
for over several thousand years. According to one of these sources, the 
origin of this legend could have come from the ancient worshiping of a 
totem, on which a dragon had been engraved. Why was there a dragon on a 
totem? According to the source, in early Chinese civilization there were 
good chances that the people had been afflicted with severe flood problems. 
Perhaps there was snake-like water creature living in the region, and the 
people believed that this creature possessed superior power. By worshiping 
this creature the people believed it might help them to prevent inundations, 
which had destroyed their crops, homes, and property. With the course of 
time and the people's imagination, the capability scope of this creature 
reached legendary properties. Feet also were added to the form of the 
dragon's body. It finally evolved to become the form of dragon symbol that 
exists everywhere in China today.

Throughout the different Chinese dynasties, it was not uncommon for the 
emperors to call themselves the Sons of the Heavenly Dragon to 
authenticate their ruling power. From the top of the hierarchy down to the 
lowest commoner the tradition of worshiping and associating with the dragon 
has lasted almost as long as China itself. 

Still there are inadequate explanations or understandings on the origin of 
the Chinese association with dragon. It is, however, the students'
enthusiasm of learning about a different culture that I deeply appreciate. 
See you in class.