"Dragon" is an animal in ancient Chinese mythology, the length of the scale insect, and the symbol of the Chinese nation. Legend has it that dragons can fly, are good at changing, can call for wind and rain, etc., and are listed as auspicious with phoenixes and unicorns.
The dragon has a very high status in the hearts of the Chinese, is one of the strongest vitality and most far-reaching culture in China, the Chinese nation takes the dragon as a totem, and almost every festive and auspicious day is indispensable to its figure.
In the Year of the Dragon, the dragon travels, let's take a look at the "dragon" in Wuzhong District.
01
"Dragons" in the museum
As the first characteristic museum in the country to comprehensively display Wu culture, Wu Culture Museum is based on "10,000 years of Wu culture" to reproduce the origin, development and prosperity of Wu culture.
The works in the dragon element collection on display not only vividly present the ingenious combination of dragon ornaments and utensils, but also depict the civilization veins carried on the artifacts by showing the different "dragon" images in the eyes of the ancients.
○ cloisonné dragon pattern plate bottle
○Blue and white dragon pattern bowl
○Cloisonné dragon pattern floret arrangement
○Cloud dragon pattern mirror
○Glaze red cloud dragon pattern lid jar
02
The "Dragon" in Intangible Cultural Heritage
○ Nuclear carving work "Descendants of the Dragon" Author: Zhong Qinfeng
Zhoushan nuclear carving has a long history, highlighting the "exquisite", lively modeling, strong three-dimensional sense, clear and smooth lines, the characters are spiritual, the style is delicate, the overall exquisite, concentrated reflection of the Suzhou craft carving "fine, fine, elegant, ingenious" magical charm, is an outstanding representative of Chinese miniature carving. In June 2008, the Guangfu nuclear carving, represented by the Zhoushan nuclear carving, was included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects.
○ nuclear carving work "Dragon and Phoenix Chengxiang" Author: Xiao Xuefen
In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon is the embodiment of auspiciousness, and the dragon-themed nuclear carving has always been loved by nuclear friends. Wuzhong nuclear carving craftsmen, with skillful hands and ingenuity carved out a variety of dragons, I wish you all a prosperous future in 2024, a bright future, blessings and warm seasons, smooth and healthy!
○ Nuclear carving work "Cantis" Author: Ren Minhua
○ Nuclear carving work "Nine Dragons Supreme" Author: Tao Meihua
○ Nuclear carving work "Nine Dragons Play Pearls" Author: Zhong Yuan
○ Nuclear carving work "Auspicious Dragon" Author: Xu Jingjian
○ Nuclear carving work "Dragon Yan Dayue" Author: Xia Dong
○ Nuclear carving work "Dragon Teng Shengshi" Author: Tao Zhihua
○ Nuclear carving work "Dragon Born Nine Sons" Author: Tao Juying
○ Nuclear carving work "Jackie Chan overnight" Author: Xu Hua
In addition to nuclear carving, Sheng Chun, the representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage project fan-making skills at Suzhou City, fused the dragon element with the group fan on the occasion of the Year of the Dragon to create a series of Suzhou fan artworks. In addition, there is also the embroidery work "Embroidered Spirit Dragon" by Fu Xianghong, the representative inheritor of Suzhou embroidery, a national intangible cultural heritage project.
03
"Dragon" in folklore
Dragon dance is a traditional Chinese folk custom, meaning festive and auspicious. According to historical records, the dragon dance originated from traditional Chinese dance, and is an indispensable form for people to express good wishes and pray for a good life.
In Wuzhong, every Spring Festival, there are dragon and lion dance performances in many places. The dragon dance team uses ever-changing moves and unique visual impact to bring people into a lively and festive atmosphere.
Wherever the dragon dance goes, there is a sea of people, a jubilant and lively scene.
04
The "Dragon" in the Scenic Area
The Shangzhen Temple, which is located in the Sanmao Peak of the Qionglong Mountain, has 36 temples in the heyday of the Qing Dynasty, 5048 folklore houses, can accommodate 10,000 people, the scale is unprecedented, and it is called "the first view in the south of the Yangtze River". The mountain gate hall is the gate of the mountain of Shangzhenguan, and there is a huge bluestone nine-dragon Danqi above. A dragon raises its head, eight dragons ring its front and back, the waves are churning, the dragons are flying, and the carving is exquisite. "Crisp" years in the Qionglong Mountain, open a journey of blessing resonance between the landscape and the soul.
In the Dongshan carved building scenic area, the cloud dragon embedded in the garden wall of the building in spring, the dragon poked its head with a dazzle, and the dragon body hovered and stopped in the churning cloud water. The dragon is stable with the group, the image of the dragon is vivid, the posture is different, they are coiled in the auspicious clouds, some are spraying water in their mouths, and some are holding a gourd that symbolizes the miniature of heaven and earth.
There are nine stone carved dragon heads arranged in sequence on the dam of Jiulongtan Reservoir in Wangshan Scenic Area, and it is said that nine small dragons who went to the sky to steal the treasure bottle were imprisoned under Jiulongtan in order to save the world from drought. Jiulong Lake is located at the foot of Qizi Mountain, there is a natural waterfall wonder formed after the Qizi Mountain Water gathers Jiulong Lake, which will appear during the thunderstorm in summer.
Here you can listen to the clear mountain spring flowing water, enjoy the greenery, you can also go to the Dawang coffee shop in the scenic spot to drink a cup of mellow coffee, and go to the Dawang Art Museum to see an exhibition.
Linwu Cave is known as "the ninth cave in the world", the constant temperature in the cave is about 20 °C, it can be said that the outside of the cave is cold and frozen, and the inside of the cave is warm like spring. Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a dragon living in the forest house cave, so the cave body resembles a dragon, also known as the "dragon cave", and the forest house mountain is also called the dragon cave mountain.
In the seventies and eighties, a number of cultural relics such as golden dragons and gilded bronze dragons were unearthed in Linwudong, among which the golden dragons covered different shapes from the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasties to the Song Dynasty.
Source: Wuzhong Taihu Lake Cultural Tourism
Editor: Xiao Yin