Shanghai Community International School

By Xiating Fang, MYP/DP Mandarin Language Acquisition Teacher at SCIS Pudong

Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) is a community of dragons. In this community, we embody the dragon’s spirit in various forms. We take pride in wearing the Dragon logo. We take part in Dragon-Fit initiatives. We say “Go Dragons” in sports games. And we celebrate Dragon Days. It seems that members of SCIS have a shared understanding of the symbol of the dragon, although there are significant cultural differences in its meaning. What is interesting is how the intercultural understanding has occurred.

Chinese Dragon

The Chinese dragon, or "Lóng" in Chinese, is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology and folklore. It is illustrated as a snake-like creature with four legs, often associated with yang energy, water, and the heavens. The dragon is highly valued in Chinese culture and is seen as a symbol of power, strength, and prosperity. As a part of the Chinese zodiac, it appears in Chinese idioms, is weaved into fabrics for traditional Chinese clothes, and is used in dances to celebrate festivals. Unlike their Western counterparts, Chinese dragons are considered auspicious. Chinese people consider themselves to be descended from the dragon.

Western Dragon

In contrast, the Western dragon has a more varied reputation in different cultures, often associated with fierceness and malevolence. In Western mythology, the dragon is often portrayed as a fire-breathing, scaly and reptilian creature with bat-like wings. Traditionally, western dragons have held the role of fierce monsters, characterized by greed in their hoarding of treasures and terrorizing villages and knights. In contemporary contexts, the symbolic significance of the dragon extends beyond mythology and folklore, with the creature associated with strength, wisdom, and protection. It is a popular motif in art, literature, and pop culture, representing various attributes such as resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Intercultural Understanding of the Dragon Symbol

By examining the similarities and differences in the representation of the dragon symbol across Chinese and Western cultures, we gain a deeper understanding of the shared associations and values that underlie these cultural traditions. One of the common traits associated with the dragon symbol is its connection to power, strength, and wisdom, evident in both Chinese and Western cultures. The dragon also serves as a guardian or protector of treasures and sacred knowledge, representing a shared belief in safeguarding valued resources.

​The dragon symbol offers a powerful example of the complex and multifaceted nature of cultural symbols, conveying a wide range of meanings and interpretations across different cultural contexts. Understanding these cultural differences fosters a greater sense of intercultural understanding and respect, building stronger connections across cultural boundaries.

The Meaning of Dragon for SCIS students

Hector, a Grade 11 student and a member of the Student Council at SCIS Pudong, claims “As dragons, we are united as one community.”

Francesca, a Grade 11 student defines community as a place “that is open-minded, and you can be inclusive and be whoever you want.”

When talking about the dragon’s spirit, Audrey, a young artist of Class of 2024, stated, "It is like being able to put different parts of cultures of our host country and cultures that we are individually from all together, and merge to be creative and build upon each other to be collaborative.”

And for Allison, an athlete, “the dragon symbolizes a sense of power and taking risks.”

In SCIS, the symbol of the dragon has transcended all cultural differences and has become a strong tie for SCIS students to proudly call themselves “dragons”.