Ancient Chinese philosophy took nature itself
中国古代哲学认为自然
as the inspiration for its most fabulous creature
孕育了大多数的珍奇生物
Fertile rivers may have shaped this civilization
富饶的河流也许形成了这里的文明
but the Chinese believed
但中国人认为
that the rivers themselves were formed and controlled
河流本身则是由一种动物形成和掌管的
by a dragon
龙
Unlike the destructive dragon of the west
与西方暴虐的龙不同
the Chinese dragon was benevolent
中国的龙是仁慈行善的
provided it was treated with respect
受人尊敬
The ancient Chinese called themselves
古代中国人称自己为
descendants of the dragon
龙的传人
and knew they needed to live harmoniously
并认识到他们需要和谐地生活在
in the dragon's realm
龙的国度中
This respect for the dragon
这种对龙的尊敬
has relevance today
影响到了
for a remarkable creature which lives around
如今生活在中国另一条伟大河流
the paddy fields of China's other great river
扬子江的周围稻田中的
the Yangtze
奇特生物