The Images of Loong/Dragon in Chinese Myths: And a Discussion about the Way of Understanding in Cross-Cultural Communication

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An open to all lecture which is part of the Fourth Academic Symposium Dialogue between Chinese Language Teaching and Culture and the Arts.

Abstract
Among all kinds of representative Chinese cultural symbols, “Loong/Dragon” is undoubtedly the one that most easily causes dispute and conflict in cross-cultural communication: the sacredness of Chinese Loong/Dragon is a sharp contrast to the evil dragon image in most Western cultures, and such contrast often becomes the start of Chinese-West cultural and ethnic conflicts. Due to this reason, it is necessary to improve our understanding of the diversity of Loong/Dragon images in Chinese and Western cultural contexts. This is an important way to reduce the conflicts, to promote “people-to-people bonds” and “cultural exchanges”, and is an inherent part of cross-cultural communication and teaching.

Thus, this paper explores the images, roles, and functions of Loong/Dragon in Chinese ancient myths. Through examining historical records, it reveals the multiple images and roles of Loong/Dragon in Chinese ancient time, demonstrates its changes in Chinese historical process, and explores its relationship with relevant contemporary Chinese folk beliefs. Based on a long-term research on Chinese mythology, this paper intends to improve the audience’ understanding of rich Chinese Loong/Dragon culture and thus benefit cross-cultural communication and teaching.

Biography
Dr Lihui Yang is a professor of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Vice Dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing Normal University, and the Deputy President of China Folklore Society. She was visiting professor of Harvard University (2006-2007) and Indiana University (2000-2001) in USA. She is the author of several monographies and many research papers, including Handbook of Chinese Mythology (ABC-CLIO 2005, Rpt. Oxford University Press 2008). She received her Doctor's degree in Vernacular Literature from Beijing Normal University in 1994, and won some prestige awards including ‘Outstanding Young Teachers in Higher Education Institutes’ (Ministry of Education, China, 2000).

Simultaneous Translation
The event will be delivered in the medium of English. You are welcome to ask questions in the medium of Welsh during the Q&A session. If you intend to do this, please contact mlang-events@cardiff.ac.uk by Friday 5 July to request simultaneous translation. Please note that 10% or more of those planning to attend will need to request this provision in order for it to be sourced and will be subject to resource availability.

Registration
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