I was born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon.
What could be better? The astrological promise of this sign is power, luck, success and well-being.
Plus Chinese dragons are fascinating to look at...strong, intricate, colorful, mystical. So when a particularly exquisite and colorful dragon caught my eye at the one and only East West Cafe in Tacoma, Washington and the waiter said I could take it home, I was thrilled.
But as I ate, I found it increasingly difficult to imagine that the waiter was really empowered to give away the art...And I was a little worried about the consequences of hijacking such a powerful creature, even by accident.
So, I simply enjoyed my Garlic Prawn and said goodbye to the lucky dragon on the way out.
And then I got to thinking...what do I really know about this ancient symbol?
I've read a few books and many more placemats at Chinese restaurants. I feel a certain respect for the Chinese astrological system and the stories that come with it. I certainly understand why feng shi--the ancient art of placement--instructs us to turn the fire-breathing creatures away from the Wood elements.
But, it's not my religion and I certainly don't know anything of the cultural nuance surrounding any of the signs. Nor do I have any idea what might be offensive...perhaps I should have taken the dragon home from the restaurant after all?
From here it was a small leap to the question that's on my mind today. (Yes, I really do live a life of leaping from one idea to the next.)
In the event of sudden ice age--or for that matter, any other climate catastrophe that sends us running for cover--what religious objects, good luck charms, icons or talismen are we likely to take with us? Perhaps it will be on purpose, perhaps by reflex. Perhaps we will gather up some object because it is beautiful or meaningful to us, not really knowing what it will mean to the people we meet along the way.
What will these choices mean for us along the way? Over time? As we arrive in new cultures with different traditions and values? As we arrive in new places that have the same symbols but embue them with different meaning?
I am reminded of the book The Red Tent, as well as the Biblical passages it is based on. The women in this story insist on taking certain stones with them as they pull up their roots. The men demand that these idols be left behind. The women, who perceive them not as idols but as ritual objects, hide them and the stones begin a secret life that is eventually made public at great risk.
It doesn't seem so far fetched to wonder how we will protect our own spiritual lives in the face of disaster. We may have one answer if we are surrounded by those of similar mind and a different answer altogether if we are surrounded by those whose beliefs are radically different from our own. Where will we compromise? Where would we be willing to martyr?
In the event that the ice age arrives instantly (or tsunamis are roaring ashore or drought has sent us packing in a search for water), what religious or superstious icons are you likely to be bringing along? And importantly, how do you think your choices will be received when you arrive at your new destination?
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2 comments:
I have a number of frogs around the house and I would probably take at least one. I used to have more but a cross country move had the effect of culling the herd (is a group of frogs a herd?). I do like icons and particularly like having candles around. In an ice age, they would not only serve ritual purposes, but also help heat the ice cave and provide light.
I want to add that recently I have been compelled to read about world religions. Just as my interest was spiked by rejecting an evangelical request to spread Christianity, I noticed that many learning resources appeared. First, I listened to some CDs by Huston Smith about the religions of the world and one about Islam in particular (from Sounds True). Then I listened to a fabulous series of CDs about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam put together by The Teaching Company. Then I went to see a panel of scholars in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam entitled, "Children of Abraham: One God, three traditions" (or something close to that). Now I am reading the book "The Common Heart: An Experience of Interreligious Dialogue" edited by Netanel Miles-Yepez about a 20 year experience called the "Snowmass Conference" where those who have chosen a contemplative spiritual path from Christian (Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox), Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and Native American traditions got together annuallly to share their experience, find common ground, and define distinctions. It is very touching. So what does this have to do with global warming? Perhaps two things. Am I fortifying my agnostic spirituality for the ultimate experience? Or do I strongly believe that we could reduce our carbon imprint if people would quit polluting the atmosphere with their explosions imposed upon religious enemies and divert the resources currently devoted to making war to the development of alternative technologies that do not consume as much petroleum?
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