"The finishing touch" about the Year of the Dragon

[New Sancai first release] In traditional Chinese culture, dragon is a very sacred divine creature. It is generally believed that the dragon is one of the mythical beasts in the sky, responsible for controlling water bodies such as rain or lakes and seas. Therefore, in Chinese folk tales, there is the Dragon King of the Four Seas, and there are also historical legends about dragons often appearing in large rivers or large lakes and swamps. It also became the most powerful zodiac sign in ancient China because of its sacredness and the fact that it controls the "water" that the people need most. Since ancient times, the image of the dragon has been closely associated with the emperors of China for five thousand years. The formal attire of the emperor and the royal family are embroidered with dragon patterns and patterns, called "dragon robes", and the chair the emperor sits on is called the "dragon chair" ", and even respectfully calling the emperor's body "dragon body" illustrates the lofty status of "dragon" in Chinese culture.

2024 is the year of the Dragon in the lunar calendar. In the current chaotic world, modern society is experiencing constant disasters. Will the Year of the Dragon bring us blessings or disasters? Are we, like the ancient Chinese, taking advantage of the time when the dragon came to the world to pray for peace from heaven and promote righteousness in the world?

There has been a well-known idiom in China since ancient times - "putting the finishing touch" on something. Modern people understand that this idiom is often used to describe the creation of artistic works that are lifelike, or when literary works, conversations, etc. have a magical effect, they use "the finishing touch" to express it. The allusion of this idiom comes from the story of Zhang Sengyao, a right-wing general of Emperor Liang Wu of the Southern Dynasty (464-549 AD). It is said that his painting skills are lifelike. He once painted a dragon in a temple. The painting was so realistic that after he clicked on the dragon's eyes at the end, the dragon really flew out of the painting and flew into the sky. Since then, the saying of "putting the finishing touch" has been passed down from generation to generation.

In addition to the "finishing touches" in paintings, the Chinese people also regard "the finishing touches" as a ritual in other folk activities, which has been passed down to this day. For example, in Chinese communities in many countries, there is a custom of dragon boat rowing during the Dragon Boat Festival. In addition to the hull or painted scales like the dragon's body, the bow of the dragon boat is usually carved into the shape of a dragon head. Before the dragon boat is launched into the water, Often the final touch is put on the two eyes of the dragon head, which is called "the finishing touch". Of course, this "dotting" is also carried out in a solemn ceremony with beating gongs and drums and setting off firecrackers. It is exactly the same as the common "consecration" ceremony in Buddhism, in order to pray that the dragon boat will receive the blessing of the gods after it is launched into the water, and that the dragon boat rowing will be smooth and safe.

After more than a thousand years, we cannot discuss whether Zhang Sengyao's dragon paintings are realistic or not, but it is undeniable that the eyes are the "windows to the soul." Painting eyes on a sculptured art work makes it seem as if the work has a life, allowing you to see external things and truly "live". However, what is called "consecration" in Buddhism and "Mass" in Christianity actually have a greater meaning, but many modern people do not know it, and even most religious people do not understand it.

The real so-called "consecration" is not just painting the eyes of the work of art, which is a formal practice, but the real meaning of "consecration" is actually to make the work (usually a statue of a god or Buddha) have It has the function of protecting people, and what can truly protect people is actually the real god and Buddha represented by the statue of gods and Buddhas, not the statue itself. Just like the grand ceremony before the dragon boat is launched into the water, the "consecration" process of Buddhist statues and Christianity requires people's correct faith and mindfulness, pious intentions and forms, so that gods and Buddhas are willing to bless people through such statues.

However, under the guidance of today's secular business interests, not only ordinary people cannot understand the true meaning of "consecration", but also religious people often misunderstand or do not understand the true "consecration" at all, and only understand it literally, such as dotting the eyes of gods and Buddhas. You can even recite mantras and amulets, sing hymns, or even more exaggeratedly use a mirror to reflect the sun's rays for a few times. Even if the "consecration" is completed, you can still charge the believers openly.

On the occasion of the Year of the Dragon, in addition to letting everyone review the origin of the "finishing touch", next time you see any "consecration" and similar activities, you may wish to think and examine. After all, this "consecration" ceremony is really pious. Right thoughts and actions can bring blessings from gods and Buddhas, but it is just a way to make money in business.

(Author: Fang Mingguang)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: First published by Xinsancai)