A Comparative Study between Chinese and Western Dragon from the Cross-Cultural Communication Perspective

Du Shixian(Yunnan Normal University)

Abstract

The dragon is a significant cultural symbol in both Chinese and Western traditions, yet its connotations and societal perceptions differ greatly. In Chinese culture, the dragon represents power, auspiciousness, nobility, and wisdom, serving as a national totem closely associated with imperial authority, prosperity, and good fortune. In contrast, Western culture often portrays the dragon as a symbol of evil, greed, and destruction, frequently depicted as a creature to be defeated by heroes.  From an intercultural communication perspective, this study conducts a comparative analysis of the symbolic meanings of dragons in Chinese and Western cultures, examining their representations in language, literature, and art. It also explores the impact of these differences on cross-cultural interactions, especially in translation to enhance mutual understanding across cultural boundaries.

Keywords

intercultural communication, dragon; Loong; Chinese and Western cultural differences, linguistic comparison

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12345/ret.v8i2.33852