Dragon: Divine animals in the cultural worldview of Asian societies

Abstract

This academic article aims to analyze the origins and cultural worldview of dragon beliefs in Asian societies. Emphasis was placed on studying the common relationships and differences in beliefs about dragons in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The results of the study found that beliefs about dragons in Asian societies began with humans’ instinct to fear reptiles. Including the occurrence of natural phenomena and the discovery of ancient fossils that cannot be explained. This has led to the creation of legends to explain similar sightings. Beliefs about dragons that are widespread in Asian societies follow the process of cultural spread starting from the center of Chinese civilization to various regions through trade relations. In terms of cultural worldviews and beliefs about dragons in Asian societies, dragons are considered auspicious animals and can grant blessings or provide assistance to humans. It is a symbol of power and greatness, while the appearance of the dragon in each land is that it will have different characteristics according to the imagination that comes from the legend. But they have the same common point they look like reptiles or serpent-kind. In the tradition of beliefs about dragons in Asian societies, it was found that dragons are related to nature, water, religion, and politics. It is consistent with the economic systems of Asian societies that are based on agriculture, including governing under the concept of power and stability of the king. Therefore, the dragon is like a god that is a symbol of the abundance of life.