My enduring fascination with dragons may be attributed to my birth in the Year of the Dragon or because of the Chinese heritage that proudly claims descent from this mythical creature.
I have not only explored the numerous myths and prophetic tales associated with dragons in China’s context, but also have adorned my back with a dragon tattoo. Dragons always managed to pique my curiosity and instill a sense of power in me. One of the most memorable dragon stories for me has been "Ye Gong Hao Long" (叶公好龙), which translates to "Lord Ye's Love for Dragons."
This well-known story is often used as a popular Chinese idiom to describe someone who pretends to be knowledgeable or interested in something they know very little about. Here is my translation of this ancient Chinese story:
Once upon a time in ancient China, there was a man named Ye Gong. He would often tell others, "I really love dragons; they are so magnificent and bring good luck!" So when he was having his house renovated, the craftsmen carved dragons everywhere, on the beams, pillars, doors, windows, and walls. His house looked like a dragon palace. Even on his own clothes, Ye Gong had skillfully embroidered lifelike dragons.
News of Ye Gong's love for dragons reached the ears of the true dragons in the heavenly palace. The dragons thought, "We didn't expect to find someone in the mortal world who loves us this much! I must go down and see him."
One day, a dragon descended from the sky and arrived at Ye Gong's home. The dragon stuck its large head through the window and let its long tail drag on the ground. When Ye Gong heard the noise, he came out of his bedroom and was in for quite a shock. He found himself face to face with a real dragon, which made him turn pale, tremble, and scream in terror before running away.
From then on, people coined the phrase "Ye Gong Hao Long" to describe those who, like Ye Gong, seem to have a great passion for something on the surface but lack a true, deep affection for it.
The story of Ye Gong Hao Long serves as a cautionary tale in my youth about the importance of being genuine and not pretending to be knowledgeable or interested in something I don’t really understand or like. It reminds me that it's better to admit my ignorance and learn rather than pretending to know everything.
In the past two years, after reading Joseph Campbell, Nietzsche, and Carl Jung's metaphors regarding the "dragon,” I gained a new understanding of this story.
In Western culture, the dragon typically symbolizes evil and fear. Joseph Campbell frequently discussed the "Hero's Journey," which commonly includes elements of "slaying the dragon," representing the confrontation with the unknown aspects of our psyche. In this case, Ye Gong's consciousness may drive him to pursue something he believes would be beneficial. However, when he manifests his desire into reality, he finds himself unable to handle the consequences.
During my recent trip to New York, I had the opportunity to meet with some readers from the area. We had an interesting discussions about chakras and the third eye. One of my perceptive readers happened to notice a red mark in the center of my forehead. Initially, I thought it might be due to dry weather or allergies, but upon closer reflection, it seems that this mark has been there since I started having peculiar visions during my trip to Leipzig in July of this year.
As a child, I always had a deep desire to be like Harry Potter, possessing magic and leading a unique and exciting life. However, when my “dreams” come true, my encounters with the supernatural often left me terrified. This year, these strange occurrences have become more frequent, and I've come to realize that I'm somewhat akin to "Ye Gong." I desired something I couldn't control and now must face the consequences.
Hearing about and seeing a "dragon" is one thing, but facing a "dragon" is another. Not everyone has the courage to "slay the dragon," but without trying, how can you ever obtain the treasure beneath the dragon's feet?
While certain gifts from the universe may appear favorable initially, lacking the necessary skills and practice can lead to various hardships and challenges. One of my readers expressed a desire to live a life like mine, full of freedom and spiritual experiences. However, only I truly understand the years of struggle and the strenuous efforts I made to ensure I didn't end up like Nietzsche.
Nevertheless, I firmly believe that these fears are only temporary. By staying grounded and persistently training, there will come a day when I can befriend the "dragon" in my life. I wish you will be the same too.