Flaming Pearl Flaming Pearl

English I— Louise S. McGehee School English I— Louise S. McGehee School 2005 2005

(“Dragons”)(“Dragons”)

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Pearl and the DragonPearl and the Dragon

The flaming pearl The flaming pearl can be seen as a can be seen as a ball or spiral with ball or spiral with flames.flames.

Dragons are Dragons are constantly being constantly being associated with the associated with the flaming pearl flaming pearl ((“Dragons”).“Dragons”).

The dragon:The dragon: Horns of a deer Horns of a deer Five claws of a hawk Five claws of a hawk Neck of a snake Neck of a snake Scales of a fish Scales of a fish

((“Dragons”).“Dragons”).

(“Myths”)(“Myths”)

Purpose of the Flaming Purpose of the Flaming PearlPearl

Dragons are the guardians of the pearl Dragons are the guardians of the pearl The dragon is a symbol of “spiritual perfection” The dragon is a symbol of “spiritual perfection” It is often, because of its power, seen as a symbol It is often, because of its power, seen as a symbol

of the Emperor and his people of the Emperor and his people Interestingly enough the dragon can also embody a Interestingly enough the dragon can also embody a

spiraling day; the same characterization of the spiraling day; the same characterization of the flaming pearl flaming pearl

The Flaming Pearl represents several different The Flaming Pearl represents several different elements of ancient Chinese myth endeavorselements of ancient Chinese myth endeavors

Luck Luck Potentiality (“Dragons”). Potentiality (“Dragons”).

(“Myths”)(“Myths”)

The Myths/History of the The Myths/History of the Flaming PearlFlaming Pearl

There are several There are several versions of the Flaming versions of the Flaming Pearl legend. The Pearl legend. The majority include Xiao majority include Xiao Sheng, a young grass Sheng, a young grass harvester: Sheng’s harvester: Sheng’s grass began to grow grass began to grow scarce. Xiao Sheng was scarce. Xiao Sheng was then forced to travel then forced to travel further for a decent further for a decent harvest harvest (“Myths”). (“Myths”).

In his travels he found In his travels he found an area where the grass an area where the grass was lush and plenty. was lush and plenty. Xiao Sheng decided, Xiao Sheng decided, however, he didn’t want however, he didn’t want to harvest so far for food to harvest so far for food (“Myths”). (“Myths”).

Myth of the Flaming Pearl Myth of the Flaming Pearl Cont. Cont.

He, instead, dug up the He, instead, dug up the grass to move to his grass to move to his home. In digging he home. In digging he discovered a pearl discovered a pearl underneath the grass. underneath the grass. He put the pearl into a He put the pearl into a small jar of rice. The small jar of rice. The next day Xiao Sheng next day Xiao Sheng checked the jar of rice to checked the jar of rice to discover that the rice's discover that the rice's amount multiplied amount multiplied (“Myths”). (“Myths”).

(“The Dragon”)

Myth of the Flaming Pearl Myth of the Flaming Pearl Cont.Cont.

The pearl The pearl reproduced anything reproduced anything it was placed with. it was placed with. Xiao Sheng, with this Xiao Sheng, with this realization, planted realization, planted the pearl with some the pearl with some coins. The money coins. The money multiplied, just as the multiplied, just as the rice multiplied rice multiplied (“Myths”). (“Myths”).

(“Pearls”)

Myth of the Flaming Pearl Myth of the Flaming Pearl Cont.Cont.

Xiao Sheng’s newly found wealth did not go Xiao Sheng’s newly found wealth did not go unnoticed by robbers. Not wanting his pearl to unnoticed by robbers. Not wanting his pearl to be stolen, Xiao Sheng swallowed it. After, his be stolen, Xiao Sheng swallowed it. After, his insides burned, he tried to quench his thirst by insides burned, he tried to quench his thirst by drinking from the river, though the river was too drinking from the river, though the river was too dry. Despite his attempts to cease the burning dry. Despite his attempts to cease the burning it continued. Finally Xiao Sheng transformed it continued. Finally Xiao Sheng transformed into a dragon. In his transformation Xiao Sheng into a dragon. In his transformation Xiao Sheng restored the river’s water, eliminating drought restored the river’s water, eliminating drought (“Myths”). (“Myths”).

Deviations From the Deviations From the Myths Myths

In some myths, Xiao In some myths, Xiao Sheng was able, as a Sheng was able, as a dragon, to bend the dragon, to bend the river. river.

Some also say the water Some also say the water released from the released from the dragon was the cause of dragon was the cause of the river’s curves. the river’s curves.

The less popular myth The less popular myth names the character Nie names the character Nie Lang Lang (Chinese). (Chinese).

(“Eastern”)

Modern Connections Modern Connections

Often, in both contemporary Often, in both contemporary and ancient Chinese art, the and ancient Chinese art, the flaming pearl is shown with flaming pearl is shown with the dragon. In most pieces the dragon. In most pieces the dragon is depicted the dragon is depicted chasing the pearl or holding chasing the pearl or holding the pearl in his mouth or the pearl in his mouth or under his chin. The dragon, under his chin. The dragon, primarily known as an primarily known as an emblem of the Emperor’s emblem of the Emperor’s power, is physically stunted power, is physically stunted without the pearl without the pearl (“Dish”).

(“Dish”)

Dragons Chasing the Flaming Pearl

Modern Connections Modern Connections cont. cont.

Disney’s Disney’s MulanMulan— the — the legend of a girl replacing legend of a girl replacing her father in battle— her father in battle— shows a statue of “The shows a statue of “The Great Stone Dragon.”Great Stone Dragon.”

The dragon holds the The dragon holds the flaming pearl under its flaming pearl under its chin, an essential and chin, an essential and most common pose of most common pose of the dragon the dragon (“Mulan”).(“Mulan”).

(“Mulan”)

Modern Connections Modern Connections Cont. Cont.

Today, even in China, the flaming pearl Today, even in China, the flaming pearl has probably lost most of its significance.has probably lost most of its significance.

The dragon, more commonly used and The dragon, more commonly used and seen in movies and cartoons, is still seen in movies and cartoons, is still recognized with the same strength as in recognized with the same strength as in myth.myth.

Dragons, even in these movies, still carry Dragons, even in these movies, still carry the pearl. the pearl.

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dragons.html> .dragons.html> .

““Dish Showing a Dragon Chasing the Flaming Pearl.”  Dish Showing a Dragon Chasing the Flaming Pearl.”  World CulturesWorld Cultures.  National .  National Museums of Museums of

Liverpool.  6 January 2005.  Liverpool.  6 January 2005.  http://www.diduknow.info/ world/asia/dragondish.htmlhttp://www.diduknow.info/ world/asia/dragondish.html..

““The Dragon's Pearl.” The Dragon's Pearl.” Fairrosa.com.Fairrosa.com.. 14 October 2002 . 4 January 2005. 14 October 2002 . 4 January 2005 <http://www.fairrosa.info/dragon/ <http://www.fairrosa.info/dragon/

dragons.pearl.html>.dragons.pearl.html>.

““DRAGONS ~ WINGED SERPENTS.” DRAGONS ~ WINGED SERPENTS.” Crystalinks.com.Crystalinks.com. 4 January 2005. <http://www.crystalinks.com/dragons.html> 4 January 2005. <http://www.crystalinks.com/dragons.html>

““Eastern: Dragons Pearl.” Eastern: Dragons Pearl.” Shadowscapes.comShadowscapes.com. 4 January 2005. <http://www.shadowscapes.com/ . 4 January 2005. <http://www.shadowscapes.com/

image/reddragon.shtml> .image/reddragon.shtml> .

““Mulan.” Mulan.” IMBDIMBD. 10 January 2005. <. 10 January 2005. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/>>

““Myths and Legends: Past, Present and Future.” Glodershop.com. 4 January 2005. <http://www.glodershop. Myths and Legends: Past, Present and Future.” Glodershop.com. 4 January 2005. <http://www.glodershop.

com/myths_entry_detail. php?RECORD _KEY(quilts)=ID&ID(quilts)=51>.com/myths_entry_detail. php?RECORD _KEY(quilts)=ID&ID(quilts)=51>.

““Pearls.” Pearls.” American Museum of Natural HistoryAmerican Museum of Natural History. 10 January 2005. < . 10 January 2005. < http://http://www.amnh.orgwww.amnh.org/exhibitions/pearls//exhibitions/pearls/.>..>.

The Serene The Serene Dragon. 4 January 2005. <http://www.theserenedragon.net/Tales/china-xiaosheng.html> .Dragon. 4 January 2005. <http://www.theserenedragon.net/Tales/china-xiaosheng.html> .(“Pearls”).