In the West, dragons are considered evil creatures that bring death and destruction. For Christians, dragons were often associated with the serpent that tempted Adam and Eve to defy God. Among the Norsemen, the dragons like Niohoggr and Fafnir were known to wreak havoc upon humanity living in Midgard (Earth). In the East, however, dragons were revered as the embodiment of good fortune, wisdom, and power. In fact, the Chinese people have always identified themselves as 'descendants of the dragon.'
From Chinese civilization, several East Asian countries also revered the dragons as divine celestial beings. Chinese dragons bear the namesake 'long.' Japanese dragons were called 'ryu.' The dragons in Korea assume the namesake 'yong.' As a result, most of the traditional nouns that carry these prefixes or suffixes are directly associated with its positive draconic reference.
One of the most iconic parables that strike at the heart of 'the human condition' is that of the "Legend of the Carp." It was believed that a persevering carp that manages to leap over the mythical Dragon Gate 'evolves' into a dragon. Strictly in the metaphorical sense, 'the leap towards the Dragon Gate' represents the person's drive to achieve excellent deeds that will be remembered beyond one's own lifetime.
With the reverence of dragons came its impressive depiction in art and architecture. These are the five renowned dragon statues in East Asia:
Shanghai, China
In Shanghai, an iconic dragon statue stands in the courtyard of its Science & Technology Museum. Four dragon kings prop up a geodesic globe representing the world.
Tokyo, Japan
The iconic Nihonbashi Bridge that existed since 1911 is currently being guarded by twin dragons. The duo stands on a pedestal that is visible from the overhead expressway in Ginza district.
Seoul, South Korea
A huge dragon statue made of bamboo was displayed at a parking lot near the Samgaki subway station in Yongsan district in 2008. It commemorates the 124th Anniversary of the 'Dragon Mountain.'
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
The Lotus Pond is a popular tourist attraction in Taiwan. Among its iconic monuments is a dragon statue erected on a round tower pedestal.
Beijing, China
The Nine Dragon Screen in Beijing is one of the most memorable stone reliefs of the Forbidden City. It is one of China's oldest cultural monuments.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
