In Chinese culture, the dragon is a mythical shapeshifter whose most common form is a composite of various animals. Unlike its menacing counterpart in Western mythology, the Chinese dragon symbolizes positive attributes of inspiration and good fortune.
As a revered protector that remains obscured from human sight, the legend of the dragon is rooted in the sound and rain of thunderstorms and other weather events.
Using select objects from the Mactaggart Art Collection, Echoes of Thunder: Unveiling the Mythical Chinese Dragon aims to illustrate the origin of the Chinese dragon and its importance and significance in Chinese culture.
The Mactaggart Art Collection comprises more than 1,000 rare works of art donated to the University of Alberta in 2005 by Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart. The collection furthers our knowledge of East Asian cultures, and informs the research of students and scholars worldwide.