In Chinese folklore, a story is told about Zhang Seng-Zuong (circa 490–540), the legendary painter. In the story he is said to have painted a mural of four dragons on a wall of the temple of Andong. It was a beautiful painting, the dragons soaring high in the clouds, but the image was incomplete. Zhang had not painted in the pupils of the dragons’ eyes.
When asked why this was so, the painter answered, “Well, they will fly away if the pupils are put in.” No one believed him, of course, and people argued he should finish the work of art. Zhang resisted, but the people would not change their minds. Finally, he did as they asked. The dragons came to life, and flew away in a flash of lightning and rumble of thunder.
Today the final touch of a dragon painting is called dotting the eyes, and is said to be the act that brings the art to life. The last dot is applied with a red paint made from cinnabar, a mineral of particular significance in ancient Chinese pharmacology, an element that holds the power of life and rebirth.
You’re standing there, looking at your painting, knowing it’s almost there… almost alive. People have told you it’s beautiful and you agree, but you feel it’s not quite finished.
It’s time.
Reach back and pick up the small clay jar, the one that holds the paint made from cinnabar. Remove the stopper and pick up the fine-tipped brush. Dip it into the pigment and dot the eyes.
Bring the dragon to life.
Carrie Rubin said:
That’s very interesting. I wonder what the equivalent is when finishing a novel. The words “The End”? 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I guess you could say there is a certain something that separates a story from a STORY.
Whatever that something is that brings a story to life… THAT is waking the dragon.
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Michelle at The Green Study said:
Very interesting! I love finding out origins of words and expressions – thanks!
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davidprosser said:
In bringing it to life do you then allow it to fly away?
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T. W. Dittmer said:
That’s what dragons do. 🙂
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
so good 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Awww, thanks. 🙂
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Zen A. said:
That was fascinating to read. I love the implications behind the act of dotting the eyes. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Zen. You can prod the dragon, even kick it, but to bring it to life you have to give it eyes.
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Ron Herron said:
Neat post, Tim. Thanks.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I like getting out there. 😛
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Stan R. Mitchell said:
Now that was deep…
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T. W. Dittmer said:
So much to learn. 🙂
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Naomi Baltuck said:
Great story, and an important message! TIme to dot a few eyes!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
🙂
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Britt Skrabanek said:
Um…love this! Glad to see you sharing your wisdom on your blog again, Tim. Okay, okay. I’m off to dot some eyes.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
And cross some Tees. 😛
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elroyjones said:
LOVE this! Perfection.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I never even try for perfection. 😛
Having too much fun being imperfect.
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Letizia said:
What a great story, Tim! I need to go wake the dragon, as frightening as it may seem at times…
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Maddie Cochere said:
Big smile. Very cool. Thanks for sharing a neat story. 🙂
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D. Wallace Peach said:
I love this story, Tim. What a wonderful mythology. Time to dot some eyes and bring art to life. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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D. Wallace Peach said:
My pleasure.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Dragons! 🙂
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