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The Analysis of Cultural Differences between Chinese and Greek Myth

The Analysis of Cultural Differences  between Chinese and Greek Myth
The Analysis of Cultural Differences  between Chinese and Greek Myth

The Analysis of Cultural Differences

between Chinese and Greek Myth

There is a word of fight over the English translation of中华龙. Some people are in favor of translating it into dragon while other people are in favor of putting it into loong.In order to know which one is a better translation, it is necessary to understand what dragon refers to in the two cultures: the Chinese and the western respectively.

The Chinese have long respected what they call the "Loong" -- an incredibly intelligent amalgamation of several different creatures endowed with divine powers. Traditionally, the Chinese word "Loong" has been translated "dragon" in English, due to the striking physical similarities between it and the Western dragon. Though both the Chinese Loong and the western dragon are fire-breathing creatures with supernatural abilities,its Eastern counterpart finds enjoyment in benefiting humankind. The Chinese dragon is in most cases seen as the fatherly ruler of an underwater kingdom with the power to deliver humans from floods as well as bring rain and end droughts.

The western idea of the dragon can be traced to numerous stories, some reaching back as far as ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, the courageous Cadmus, prince of Phoenicia, slew the famous Dragon of Boeotia, thus delivering humankind from certain destruction. Middle Eastern stories such as that of the dragon-like creature Zu, originated with the Sumerians. Only when the dragon was destroyed could peace and harmony be restored. Beyond a reasonable doubt, this is the earliest human record of the dragon.

For many reasons, there are many differences between Chinese and Greek myth, which show their own unique national spirits and conceptions of moral principles. Through comparison of different cultural characteristics between Chinese and Greek myth, we can keep our own national characteristics in current of global culture and understand Western culture better in intercultural communication, thus advancing cultural exchange between China and Western countries.

First,the difference of the time when myth produced.The ancestors of Chinese nation lived on land before one million and seven hundred thousand years. After long uncivilized times, ancient Chinese gradually created civilization. Most ancestors’ achievements of tribes have been passed down orally. This is old myth. On the contrary, the history of Greece is shorter, and

Greek myth produced later than Chinese myth. It produced in about eleventh century BC.That was the Age of Heroes. Human wisdom had been more and more important . So ancient Greeks thought that human being was the most beautiful in the world. They gave their deities the most beautiful images. Those are images of human being.

Second,the difference of environment.The most basic reason of cultural differences is the difference of environment, which helps form two civilizations:Chinese continental civilization and Greek marine civilization.China lies in an isolated pocket in East Asia. This environment develops a continental culture which people are only looking inward, a farming culture centers on soil, discouraging the emergence of an adventurous see-faring people. In this geographical isolation emerged an ancient civilization almost completely cut off from the other major civilizations. In addition, Chinese myth produced in the Yellow River and the Yangtze River Valley. Because that the soil is fertile and the resources are rich, both areas are suitable for agriculture. Just the ancient Chinese who lived in this continent created this unique myth, ancient Chinese myth.Contrary to China, Greece is a poor country, barren and dry.As cultivable land was limited in Greece, to survive, ancient Greeks had to look outward. Sea is the greatest Greek natural resource. It plays a central role in the life of Greeks. They like to learn advanced technique and cultures from other countries. Apart from that, ancient Greece was a democratic country. This provided living space for independence of Greek myth. Frankly speaking, marine civilization created the great Greek myth.

Third,the difference of pursuit of beauty.The most obvious difference between Chinese and Greek myth is the difference of deities’ images.Most of deities in Chinese myth, half is a human and the other half is an animal. Chinese myth pursues mental beauty.The deities in Greek myth are exactly the opposite to deities in Chinese myth. Most of them are beauty of beauties, whoever Zeus, Hera, Athena, or Apollo, Aphrodite; they are all elegant and graceful, beautiful except Pan, God of Flocks and Shepherds. Greek myth pursues physical beauty and the beauty of facial appearance.

Fourth,the difference of values.Difference of values is the most basic and biggest difference between Chinese and Greek myth. By seeing from many parts of Chinese myth, what Chinese myth extols is virtue. It worships collectivism. On the contrary,Greek myth worships strength and individualism.

and Greek myth.Differences of conceptions of goodness and evil;distinguish goodness from evil in Chinese myth,goodness and evil exist side by side in Gr Of course, there are many differences of conceptions between Chinese eek myth ;difference of conception of love:conservative and open-minded;difference of social conception: conception of status and democracy.;difference of conception of nature: oneness of man and nature and contradiction between man and nature.

Both the Chinese and Greeks use myth to explain the world when they could not understand it. Thus, myth is the most concentrated and unique embodiment of national spirit, and it is the most ancient and solid root of life, it is also essential characteristic of national culture. There are still many other cultural differences between Chinese and Greek myth. But in a word, Chinese myth lays more emphasis on morality and it is conservative, while Greek myth emphasises strength and it is open. The analysis of cultural differences between Chinese and Greek myth will help us understand the literary outputs of Western countries further, and can promote our cultural exchanges with Western countries.

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