【往期回忆】

中国龙文化3：中国龙有哪些种类？

【本期内容】

The 9 Sons of the Chinese Dragon

中国龙的九子

In ancient China, people lived mainly on agriculture. The rain and wind played an important role in people's lives. They believed there was something powerful controlling the rain and thunder. And, in Chinese mythology, the dragon was such a powerful beast that lived in rivers, lakes, and seas. The dragon was used as a symbol of great power, a ruler even of the emperor.

在中国古代，人们主要以农业为生。风雨在人们的生活中发挥了重要作用。他们相信有某种强大的东西操纵着雨和雷。而且，在中国神话中，龙是一种生活在河流、湖泊和海洋中的强大野兽。龙被用作强权的象征，甚至是皇帝这样的统治者的象征。

According to the Chinese legend, the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi, a legendary tribal leader) launched a series of wars against nine tribes in the Yellow River Valley and incorporated the other tribes' totems into his dragon totem after defeating them.

根据中国的传说，黄帝（传说中的部落首领黄帝）对黄河流域的九个部落发动了一系列战争，并在击败其他部落后将他们的图腾纳入他的龙图腾中。

This explains why the dragon has attributes belonging to nine other creatures: eyes like a shrimp, antlers like a deer, a big mouth like a bull, a nose like a dog, whiskers like a catfish, a lion's mane, a long tail like a snake, scales like a fish, and claws like a hawk.

这就解释了为什么龙具有其他九种生物的特点：眼睛像虾，犄角像鹿，大嘴像牛，鼻子像狗，须如鲶鱼，鬃毛如狮，长尾像蛇，鳞片像鱼，爪子像鹰。

According to Chinese myths, the dragon has nine sons with different characters, and their images are widely used in architectural decoration, especially in the imperial palaces. The nine sons are often used in buildings' decorations and sculptures.

根据中国神话，龙有九个不同性格的儿子，他们的形象被广泛用于建筑装饰，尤其是在皇宫中。九个儿子经常被用于建筑物的装饰和雕塑。

【注】关于九子的排行和名字，有多种说法，下面是其中较为一般的说法。

Qiuniu (囚牛, Qiúniú) - the eldest son, yellow scaly dragon, likes and excels in music; often adorns musical instruments.

囚牛——排行老大，黄鳞龙，喜欢并擅长音乐；经常用于装饰乐器。

Yazi (睚眦, Yázì) - the second son, snake belly and leopard head, keen on fighting and killing; often decorates sword grips.

睚眦——第二子，腹如蛇，头如豹，热衷于打斗和杀戮；经常用于装饰剑柄。

Chaofeng (嘲风, Cháofēng) - the third son, instinctively adventurous; often adorns palace roof ridges.

嘲风——第三子，天生具有冒险精神；经常用于装饰宫殿屋脊。

Pulao (蒲牢, Púláo) - the fourth son, known for loud crying; often on bell handles.

蒲牢——第四子，以大声吼叫而著名；常刻在钟形把手上。

Suanni (狻猊, Suānní) - the fifth son, lion-shaped, delights in sitting cross-legged and smelling incense; often on Buddhist temple incense burners and seats.

狻猊——第五子，形如狮，喜盘腿而坐，喜闻熏香；经常刻在佛教寺庙的香炉和座椅上。

Bixi (赑屃, Bìxì ) - the sixth son, turtle-shaped with sharp teeth, fond of carrying heavy objects; often on graves or monuments.

赑屃——第六子，形如龟，牙齿锐利，喜欢搬运重物；经常刻在坟墓或纪念碑上。

Bi'an (狴犴, Bì'àn) - the seventh son, likes lawsuits, often stands by jail gates.

狴犴——第七子，喜欢诉讼判案，经常蹲守在监狱门口。

Fuxi (负屃, Fùxì) - the eighth son, most Chinese dragon-like; often on stone tablets.

负屃——第八子，最像中国龙；常刻在石碑上。

Chiwen (螭吻, chīwěn) - the ninth son, lives in the sea, harsh-voiced, delights in devouring creatures; often on palace ridgepole ends.

螭吻——第九子，生活在大海中，声音刺耳，以吞噬生物为乐；经常刻在宫殿的脊杆末端。

【注】本系列文章选译自：www.chinahighlights.com