Every year as the Lunar New Year approaches I try to find the right image to send auspicious wishes
This year – the Year of the Dragon – I just don’t know which one to choose…
Will it be the magnificent dragons on this large Japanese Export silver table box?
All double skinned- the deep repousse work by the Japanese Export silversmiths was always lined by another layer of silver and looks perfect.
Or would it be this classic Chinese Export silver presentation bowl by Wang Hong of Hong Kong
Or would it be this totally over the top Chinese Export silver tea pot – dragon handle, dragon finial and even dragon detail on the spout
Or do I look to the West – sometimes we come across Western dragons – like this Celtic version on the handle of a sauce boat – those dragons get everywhere
Why is the dragon motif so powerful? After all he was beaten to the Chinese Emperor’s party by the rat, the ox the tiger and the rabbit. He only came in fifth!
Don’t underestimate the power of the dragon – I did when I was pregnant and expecting a baby at the very beginning of the year of the dragon. By the time I went to the doctor all the maternity beds in Singapore were fully booked for the due time – Off to Malaysia with you!
The dragon is all powerful: Dragons are powerful spiritual representations. They have a long and storied history in many different cultures in the world. Whether dragons are four-legged, indomitable beasts as depicted in Europe, or intelligent, wingless, and snake-like in East Asia, they have always represented unapproachable power and might. No other mythological creature, regardless of its representation in different parts of the world, has been mightier.
In Eastern cultures, the dragon is often a revered figure, a symbol of power, wisdom, and good fortune. In China, it’s associated with the emperor, embodying his authority and control over the elements. The majestic Chinese dragon, serpentine and wise, brings rain and symbolizes prosperity. Five clawed dragons were reserved for the Emperor. Four clawed dragons were reserved for the mandarins but the foreigners mostly managed to get four clawed dragons
Japanese dragons, meanwhile, are guardians of temples and spiritual protectors, often depicted with benevolent, almost human-like expressions. Very high profile as you can see on this bowl .
The dragon’s fiery side also takes hold in Western tales. It represents chaos, greed and danger. Think of the fearsome beasts guarding hoards of gold in European folktales, or the fire-breathing monsters slain by valiant knights. These dragons embody untamed nature, a force to be conquered by human courage and ingenuity. But the dragon is the heraldic symbol that represents Wales – very much part of the Celtic lore. A whole genre has grown up around celtic silver
Dragons are special and people born in the year of the dragon are special..
So this year 2024 – the year of the green wood dragon should be a magnificent year. Career progress will be excellent due to the determination and optimistic nature of the Dragon. On the money front, the situation is encouraging with large cash flow. The list goes on…
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