by Kit Wong
In Chinese Mythology, the Dragon has always been an auspicious sign. Its symbolism is often related to or signifies Heavenly Energies and Imperial Decrees or both. The Belief that there are four Dragon Kings in the four corners of the World, charged with regulating the flow of water, in the form of rainfall, rivers, lakes, streams, and even wells is significant to the relation of the element with the mythical creature. With water, being the life source of most living things, the Dragon’s influence means it affects the regulation and flow of life. Seeing that Dragon is a Yang Force, or representation of Dynamic Energies, and it’s linked to the element of water – the life giving force, it can be seen as an auspicious time to expect a deluge of energies. But like the water rapids, expect some wild rides ahead in 2012, economically, politically and romantically. Expect fresh innovation, but also historically watershed (no pun intended) moments, and stagnancy is not an issue.
The Water Dragon, seen as a lucky sign for the most part also displays traits of sustainability and longevity. 1952 was the last time the Water Dragon made an appearance in a once-a-60 year cycle. It demarcated the coronation of UK’s Queen Elizabeth II in February of that year, for a period that moves from the 20th to the 21st century, and she is still reigning today. In November that same year, Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap opened in London, its successful run, in retrospect, earned it the record holder for the longest, continuously running production of a play in modern history.
This sense of lasting power or leaving an indelible mark on society can be seen as good for some and perhaps more ominous for others. In 1952, the United States of America brought two new innovations to the 20th century: the hydrogen bomb and the B-52 Bomber, two of the most destructive weapons for use in conflicts. In December of that year, a toxic killer-fog descended over the city of London, requiring us to come up with a new term in eco-disaster: “Smog”.
But as ancient Taoist Philosophy teaches, all things in the world are comprised of the dynamic interplays of forces Positive and Negative, so it may hearten some to know that the field of medicine saw the first successful separation of conjoined twins at Mt Sinai hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout history parents in China and Asian communities have hoped to give birth during Dragon years. In the last period of Water Dragon in 1952 the birth of world leaders in politics were Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong. In Sports, we had tennis luminary Jimmy Connors, and four-time super bowl winning coach Bill Belichick. In the corporate and business world 1952 gave us the most Water Dragons that dominate the world of business, offering us a host of CEOs from companies such as Exxon-Mobil, Alberto-Culver, Time Warner, Colgate- Palmolive, Viacom, UPS, Radio Shack, Clorox, Tiffany & Company, Hershey, ITT, Macy’s, Walgreens to name a few, with Craigslist Founder Craig Newmark, who has reshaped the world of advertising and Anne M. Mulcahy, former chairwoman and chief executive officer of Xerox Corporation, and Muhtar Kent, current CEO of Coca Cola.
Year of the Dragon 2012 is the fifth in the series following the Rabbit and recur every twelfth year with five elements effecting each dragon year differently. The date of each Chinese New Year varies with this one beginning January 23.
Others who have entered in during the Year of the Dragon are Bruce Lee, John Lennon, Shirley Temple, Kirk Douglas, Ringo Starr, Martin Luther King, Joan of Arc, Robin Williams, Salvador Dali, Helen Keller, Charles Darwin, Maya Angelou, Dr. Seuss, Mae West, and Florence Nightingale.
Thus, in retrospect, we can infer a sense that 2012 could very well be an unforgettable year. Let us all strive to harness the energies that the Water Dragon brings, and effect positive changes in our life and the lives of others. Happy New Year!
water dragon photo © Vitaly Korovin
1st dragon image © Nikolai Sorokin
2nd dragon photo © Martyn Unsworth
May 2012 be the year that the Water Dragon breathes a cleansing fire on all those who would seek to control and dominate the freeflow of water to all who need and deserve it. May water become a commons for all peoples, a basic human right free from corporate greed.
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