Dragon And China 's National Image

In China, the connotation of Loong (Chinese dragon) experiences a process ofchange from animal fetish to symbol of imperial power, and then becomes incarnationof China and collective spirit of the whole nation. In the period of the autocraticmonarchy, the main function of Loong was to provide legitimacy for the politicalsystem; and now it is regarded as the symbol of national identity and cohesion ofnational spirit. Westerners’ understanding of Loong generally experiences thefollowing changes: from an exotic, nobly strange image to an ugly, evil and weak one;while now Loong is considered to be powerful, evil, ferocious and dangerous. Once inhistory, Loong was an element of vogue with Chinese style in West, and later, its mainfunction turned to be the symbol of China, especially in the negative context. Thedifferent understandings of Loong between China and the West are largely due topolitical factors, as well as different social and cultural traditions. Moreover, duringthe communication and interaction process, their understandings of Loong are notisolated but influence each other. Now the process is still going on. What we need todo is to make our own definition and to endow new positive connotation upon Loong,in order to improve the Chinese state image represented by Loong. Now it is hightime that the West be more patient to better understand and respect Loong and China.