Dragons are not real animals, but look like a combination (组合体) of many animals such as snakes (角) and a long moustache (胡子). With fantastic (极大的), they fly in the sky or swim in the sea. They can make rain, too. The Chinese dragon is a symbol of strength and good luck. The emperors of ancient China loved dragons. Their clothes were covered with pictures of dragons.
We are proud to call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. In Chinese, “excellent” people are often called “dragon”. A number of Chinese sayings and idioms (习语) talk about dragons, for example, “Hoping one’s child will become a dragon.” which means he or she will be successful.
It is said that people born in the Year of the Dragon have certain characteristics (特质). They are creative, confident, brave and quick-tempered (脾气). There are some famous “dragons” who have done excellent things, for example, and the famous businessman Li Jiacheng. They are all successful.
There are also some traditional festivals about dragons in China, such as Dragon Head-Raising Day and the Dragon Boat Festival. We have different kinds of activities to celebrate them. These two festivals come every year, but the Year of the Dragon comes every twelve years.
The dragon is very important in Chinese culture. As the “descendants of the dragon”, it is necessary for us to know the views on dragons in our culture. It can help us understand why our parents always want us to be “dragons”.
The year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. Good luck to you!
【小题1】What does the Chinese dragon symbolize (象征)?| A．A combination of many animals. |
| B．Chinese sayings and idioms. |
| C．Traditional festivals. |
| D．Strength and good luck. |
| A．龙马精神 | B．龙飞风舞 | C．望子成龙 | D．龙腾虎跃 |
| A．Creative, confident, brave and powerful. |
| B．Creative, confident, brave and quick-tempered. |
| C．Lovely, confident, brave and quick-tempered. |
| D．Lucky, confident, creative and successful. |
| A．1988. | B．1998. | C．2008. | D．2018. |
| A．Dragons are real’ animals. |
| B．There are many Chinese sayings and idioms about dragons. |
| C．People born in the Year of the Dragon must be successful. |
| D．The “descendants of the dragon” are often called “dragons”. |
