The subject of this little book is of general interest to people who
are acquainted with things Chinese. The dragon has played a large part
in Chinese thought through four thousand and more years. Even in these
days of the Republic it still fills an important place in Chinese life.
The dragon is one of the most common ornamental designs in China and
one meets it wherever one goes in this country. However, in spite of
the significance attached to the dragon, very little has ever been
written concerning it in either Chinese or English. Only a few general
articles on this subject have been published in magazines, and the
references to it in books are very brief. No independent study of the
dragon in book form has been made in either of these two languages
until now.
The author is peculiarly fitted to undertake this piece of work. He was
born in China and speaks the Chinese language as a native. Thus he has
had the first-hand knowledge and the language to help him in his study.
He has been studying on the subject of the dragon for fourteen years.
In this time he has traveled over more than one half the number of
provinces of China. The study is therefore not the result of a few
month’s investigation, nor is it the product of research in only one
city or province. The author’s acquaintance with the people and the
language of China have made it possible for him to go to original
sources and to study the subject from every angle.
Perhaps the last word on the Chinese dragon is not yet said,
nevertheless it is safe to say that this treatise is as complete as our
present knowledge will permit. This little volume should be of value to
all who are interested in China.
This account of the dragon will not only be of value to foreigners, but
it will also be such to Chinese. The author has made this study a hobby
for many years and the result of his research is a splendid
contribution to the literature on China. It would be a good idea for
more people to take up the study of other phases of Chinese life in the
same way and thus help to interpret China to the West.
Fong F. Sec. May 9, 1922.