The Long (龙) is the totem and symbol of a nation. The Long culture has a long
history and is a prominent symbol of Chinese culture. The image of the Long has permeated every corner of society. In ancient times, due to natural disasters, wars, man-made calamities, and frequent plagues, people’s lives were miserable. According to legends, the Long can fly through the sky, bring rain to crops, eliminate disasters, and bestow peace and blessings, symbolizing auspiciousness. It has been a tradition to perform the Long dance to banish natural disasters and diseases, as well as to pray for peace and happiness. The “Bench Long ( 龙 )” from Fuqing in Fujian Province, China, symbolizes unity, strength, and protection. In Chinese culture, Long (龙) are revered creatures that represent power, good luck, and prosperity. The Bench Long, specifically, is believed to bring unity and solidarity among people, as benches are places where individuals gather and interact. The Long’s presence on the bench signifies protection and support for those who come together to sit on it, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. The “Bench Long (龙)” is a form of intangible cultural heritage made up of a dragon
head and tail crafted from papier-mâché, connected by sections of stools. This Long (龙) consists of 110 sections, each approximately 2 meters long, with a total length of around 250 meters. Each section of the Bench Long is created by residents of various nationalities and ethnicities in Tasmania, symbolizing unity among people from different borders and races, coming together to celebrate joyous moments and showcase community solidarity and harmony. This performance encourages people to maintain an optimistic and friendly attitude, collectively creating a harmonious social atmosphere and spreading positive energy. Additionally, the word “dragon” translates to “long” in English, signifying that the dragon procession grows longer each year.
龙(Long)是一个民族的图腾和象征,拥有悠久的文化历史,是中国文化的显
著代表。龙的形象深入社会的各个角落。在古代,由于自然灾害、战争、人为
灾难和频繁的瘟疫,人们的生活十分艰苦。传说中,龙能够飞翔于天空,带来
雨水,消除灾害,赐予和平与祝福,这象征着吉祥。因此,表演舞龙成为一种
传统,旨在驱除自然灾害和疾病,并祈求平安与幸福。
来自中国福建省福清的“板凳龙(Bench Long)”象征着团结、力量和保护。
在中国文化中,龙(Long)是受到尊敬的生物,代表着权力、好运和繁荣。特
别是板凳龙,被认为能够增强人们之间的团结和凝聚力,因为板凳是人们聚集
和互动的地方。龙的存在象征着对坐在板凳上的人们的保护和支持,促进了社
区的团结与和谐。
“板凳龙(Bench Long)”是一种非物质文化遗产,由纸浆制作的龙头和龙尾
连接多个长凳组成。这条龙由 110 个部分组成,每部分约 2 米长,总长度约为
250 米。长凳龙的每个部分由塔斯马尼亚不同国籍和民族的居民共同制作,象
征着来自不同国家和种族的人们团结在一起,共同庆祝快乐时刻,展示社区的
团结与和谐。这个表演鼓励人们保持乐观友好的态度,共同营造和谐的社会氛
围,传播积极的能量。此外,“龙”在英语中翻译为“long”,这也意味着每
年的板凳龙游行队伍都在不断延长。