MOTHERLAND OF THE RIGHT DRAGONS: TRAVELING TO SOUTH KOREA

Images of dragons can be found throughout Asia. At first glance, it is rather difficult to determine the origin of the fairy-tale reptile. However, in Korea there is an old legend: in immemorial times, all dragons had four fingers on each paw. But whenever the magic monster flew to the northeast, he lost a finger, and when to the southwest, his fingers, on the contrary, grew. Therefore, the dragons of Japan have three of them, while the Chinese have five. And only the Korean have the “correct”, original set. This legend is worth remembering whenever someone starts to compare China, Japan and Korea. It is not so much about the number of dragon fingers, but about national identity. Continue reading →