Our Chatswood Year of the Dragon design
The dragon is the only fictional animal with divinity, placed fifth in the 12 zodiac animals. The status of the dragon is the highest that no animal can compare with it. In ancient times, the emperor claimed to be the son of the real dragon, and the people themselves were the descendants of the dragon.
A dragon has deer-like horns, camel-like head, rabbit-like eyes, snake-like neck, sea serpent-like belly, fish-like scales, eagle-like claws, tiger-like paws, and cow-like ears. Characteristics of a dragon can be quiet and bright, big or thin, small or gigantic, and can soar into the sky and dive into the sea.
In ancient times, the traditional Chinese dragon image often accompanies gods as their companions. Chinese emperors used the dragon symbol to project their imperial strength. As early as 2,000 years ago, people began to worship dragons to pray for rain and perform dragon dances for harvests. People use their infinite imagination to describe the dragon as a magical and great creature that has human beings’ wisdom and courage, and the spirituality of gods. The dragon symbolises good fortune and is auspicious in Chinese culture. Dragon image reflects people’s life and beliefs.
In today’s contemporary society, equality, peace, and inspiration bring people together. I created a joyous dragon to celebrate the 2024 Year of the Dragon with the community. I portray a magical, happy, and energetic young dragon. Its claws positioned in four directions – east, west, north, and south – radiant from the center like bursting-fireworks. Lucky clouds and water patterns are decorated on the dragon’s body. The cutout and solid patterns responsive to the sun and the moon, promise that heaven and earth flourish together. The tail of the dragon has a lotus flower, symbolising strength, resilience, and regeneration. It represents the spiritual path to enlightenment.
The colours of the dragon manifest the continuity of traditional Chinese culture while recognising the transformative effect of the present time. Red is the dominant colour of the dragon. Red has cultural significance in traditional Chinese culture – it symbolises luck, happiness, and joy. It represents protection, vitality, and celebration. White represents purity, light, and the ability of healing.
Today, people have created new stories about dragons. Their respecting and loving dragon is sublimated even more fascinating and ever-lasting.
The Dragon comes every 60 years. 2024 is a wood dragon. The 2024 Year of the Dragon has 354 days in lunar calendar. People born in the year of the dragon are 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, and 2024.
Artist - Tianli Zu
Good fortune motifs
Auspicious water
This pattern is a symbol of wisdom, power and grace. Water is one of the Taoist theory of the five elements that interacts between yin and yang, between phenomena.
Lotus flower
A sign of perfection. It symbolises wealth, prosperity, clarity, success and calmness. The lotus flower is also symbolic of spiritual awakening and a new beginning.
Fire
The patterns made up the body shape of the dragon. Fire represents embodiment, definition, dynamic, passion, energy and action. It is the element of heat, summer and enthusiasm; nature at its peak of growth, and warmth in human relationships. The 2024 wood dragon will gain strength from the power that fire releases.
Auspicious clouds
This pattern represents holiness and good luck. In Chinese, ‘cloud’ is pronounced ‘yun’, which is a homophone for ‘luck’. A lucky cloud shapes the rabbit’s tail as well as flows around the coin.