Dragon Turtles, Kun Peng, and Jiaoren

Welcome back visitor! Today will be easy as it requires no hiking. Just enjoying a nice, relaxing ride on a dragon turtle, who has kindly offered to take us to the South China Sea. We'll be looking for the jiaoren, the Chinese mermaids who cry pearls instead of tears. And we may just run in to an unexpected surprise on the way!

Sources Cited:
Alan Rankin Last Modified Date: August 26 & Alan Rankin Date: August 26, 2022. What is a dragon turtle? All Things Nature. Available at: https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-dragon-turtle.htm [Accessed September 6, 2022]. 

Creative, J.L., Jiaoren. Westport Winery Garden Resort - Jiaoren. Available at: https://www.westportwinery.com/oceans-daughter-distillery/spirit-list/duckleberry-grunt.html [Accessed September 6, 2022]

Hansen, C., 2014. Zhuangzi. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Available at: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zhuangzi/ [Accessed September 6, 2022]. 

jamespederson5, 2021. Mythic creature of the day: Jiaoren. Mythology Worlds. Available at: https://www.mythologyworlds.com/post/mythic-creature-of-the-day-jiaoren [Accessed September 6, 2022]. 

 Peng symbolizes great aspiration, indomitable will-SSCP. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2022, from http://www.csstoday.com/Item/5510.aspx

Transcript

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Great Lakes Aquarium. Based in Duluth, Minnesota, the Aquarium is dedicated to leading freshwater conservation by connecting all people to Lake Superior and the world’s waters.Their mission is to engage and inspire, encouraging stewardship of wildlife and water.

Some people think I am the park. But that is not true…I am not the park. Or…am I? I don’t know…I have no memory of ever leaving this place. How would I know? How can you tell if you’re human? What does it mean to be human? Welcome, to Supernatural Park.

Good day visitor! Are you ready for today’s adventure? There won’t be any walking today. A giant dragon turtle has kindly contacted the park and offered to give us a ride to the South China Sea; that’s where we’ll be heading today. It’s not as far as you think it is; perhaps a mile out into the lake and we’ll hit the invisible biome barrier where the (Jeer-ren)Jiaoren are said to thrive. If you don’t know what (jeer-ren) jiaoren are, they are the beautiful merfolk of Chinese mythology. And speaking of Chinese mythology, the dragon turtle is here! What a magnificent creature…did you know dragon turtle statues are used to promote positivity in the chinese art of Feng Shui? 

Since a dragon turtle is the combination of two out of the four celestial animals in Chinese mythology, it’s used to bring longevity, success, power, fertility, support, courage, and determination, into the home. 

Oh…I do apologize, visitor I’m so excited that I’m probably getting a little bit ahead of myself and the dragon turtle seems ready to embark. Why don’t we talk more about these lovely creatures and dig into Chinese lore while this gentle giant takes us on the seas?

Watch your step…Alright dragon turtle, we’re ready!

Right. So. Feng Shuei and Chinese mythology. Where to begin…well let’s start with dragon turtles. As I mentioned before, they are a combination of two of the four celestial animals, each of them representing the four cardinal directions. Those animals are the azure dragon of the east, the white tiger of the west, the black tortoise of the north, and the vermillion bird of the south. They are all collectively known as the four guardians, the four gods, and also, the four auspicious beasts. Not only do these animals represent colors and directions, but they also represent seasons, virtues, and one of the five Chinese elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. It is even said that these colors are representative of the different soils you will find in China. Blue represents the water-logged soils of the east, the south holds red iron rich soil, in the west you’ll find the white-saline soil in the western deserts, and the north has black organic soils. 

These animals and colors are some of the very foundations of Feng Shuei, more than 3500 years old and long before the invention of the magnetic compass. The earliest depictions of these beings can be dated as far back as 5300 BC, where they were found in a tomb at the neolithic site of Xishuipo in Puyang, Henen, China. I wonder if this dragon turtle is as old as those drawings? I’d ask but the water is getting choppy-oh boy. Hold on tight to its shell if you can. There’s something up ahead! 

Oh. My. Goodness. I can’t believe it-that’s a (Kun-pung) Kun Peng!!! A giant fish that can transform into a bird. Look, it's changing now as it leaps out of the water into the sky! It’s so massive. I’ve heard that these  birds can travel 1,000 miles with a flap of its wings. I have to say,  I certainly believe those stories now. Those wings look like they could be as big as the clouds. This…this is so wonderful. I didn’t expect this today. This bird symbolizes great aspiration and was first seen in the pre-Qin folklore, appearing in the works of Chinese Philosopher Chuang, Tzu, more commonly known as Zhuangzi. He wrote the ancient Chinese Text of the same name during the Warring States of China period; a time for China that was characterized by warfare and military reforms. 

His work is considered one of the two foundations of Toaism, a philosophy that advocates for humility and religious piety. The first chapter of his book, called “Free and Easy Wandering” tells  of a fish named Kun, whose size covers thousands of li, li being a Chinese measurement of distance and is about ⅓ of an English mile. It can transform into a bird named (Pung) Peng, whose back covers thousands of li. As it rises in flight, its wings look like clouds in the sky. And as the wind blows over the water, it flies to the South Sea, also called the Lake of Heaven. That’s where we’re actually headed! We’ll take this as a sign we’re heading in the right direction. 

Looks like it’s almost out of sight now. It’ll certainly reach the South Sea before we do. I still can’t believe it. What a wonderful surprise and such a powerful sight! 

I think we need a moment to catch our breath! Let’s take a lunch break and share in some poetry submitted by other visitors! 

The first poem is by Sandy Norman and is titled “Nature’s Siren Call” 

Wildflowers wilt

The clouds continue to weep

You lay awake

Unable to sleep

A far-reaching branch 

Gnarled by the wind

Rattles the window

Like knuckles on glass

A crack in the distance

The forked tongue of lightning

Brings to mind your childhood fears
Of thunderstorms

Of flooding rain

Of not being alone in the dark again

Blinded by the sheet of white

Your eyes adjust

To the sombre darkness

How sure are you that you’re alone?

Do you not see the pale figure?

Do you not hear its rasping breath?

As it creeps ever closer,

To the side of your bed.

An unhinged smile

Eyes flecked in red

Its hands outstretched

In a paralysing greeting

The second crack follows

With an immediate spark

In Just A  Few Seconds

You’re inside the storm…

Heeding nature’s siren call.

Oh- boy that one was good. I got goosebumps on my arm. That’s what I love about poetry and art. Everything is up for interpretation. What do you suppose it was, that called to you in that poem, bringing you inside the storm? Was it the call of a beautiful siren, such as the ones we are searching for? For me…I think it was the lightning, and the peals of thunder. Even nature screams once in a while, and sometimes I like to scream with it. 

Sandy Norman is a writer, editor, and creative content marketer. She helps creative entrepreneurs expand their impact and build magnetic authority online by writing and repurposing clickworthy blog posts that attract their dream clients. You can find her work online at www.SandyNormanConcepts.Com

The second poem is by Amy Sturz. It’s called “Collective Love”

Collective Love

Love for you is not bound by just me 

or any other one person.

You are honored and loved by those around the world

and we show you love in different ways.

Not all ways are physical and easy to do,

like picking up trash and cleaning up your shoreline.

But some stand up for you,

they advocate for you,

they teach others about you,

they write about you,

they sing your praises, of your power and beauty.

They hold celebrations in your honor.

And one day, long after we are gone, future generations

will still show they love you. 

This poem was inspired by Lake Superior, and all  bodies of water that need a little more care in the world. Every lake and river, all lead to the ocean. And whether we like to admit it or not, our actions, positive or negative, have a direct impact on people and ecosystems that are both close and miles away from us. 

My heart is still beating rapidly. If we’re unable to see the (Jeer-ren)Jioren today, just being out here and seeing kunpeng will have been worth it. 

 Oh-hold on. The dragon turtle is shifting more to the south. We’re starting to get into (Jeer-ren)Jioren territory. We’re looking for merfolk here- they live in both fresh and saltwater. So we may not find them, if they have decided to stay in the rivers. but the Park would not send us here if they weren’t around. I do hope we see them though. They are known for their beautiful artwork and the jewelry they make from the pearls of their tears. Yes, the jioren cry actual pearls instead of watery tears. 

I am not sure what would cause a jioren to cry. Perhaps they get as overwhelmed with everything that happens in the world as much as we do. Although they stay away from humans, they still suffer the impacts of climate change and destruction humans are responsible for. The southern China Sea, for example, is centered around territory disputes between China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and many other countries that border it. Since the 1970’s many of those countries have rushed to gain control of the islands in the area, where they are rich in natural resources. And beneath the surface of the sea, there are reserves of oil, fishing beds, and coral reefs. 

What a very human thing, visitor. To fight with others for control of what we think  can make us rich, while turning a blind eye to what’s already in front of us. Does nature not already give us what we need to survive? The sun, wind, water. It’s already here.…what makes people fight over the concept of a certain amount of currency that they think will make them better than anyone else? It’s a question that dates back to the very first invention of it I suppose. But look at what’s happening around us because of it. The impacts that some countries have on others around the world, when they directly engage in the search for more fossil fuels, are impacting countries that do not contribute as much or have worked hard to better themselves and not contribute at all. Even now, Pakistan is experiencing deadly flooding and is ⅓ underwater due to the impacts humans have created. Why do humans do that to each other, visitor? Is that just…part of being human? I wish…I wish they could do better. 

Ah. I’m sorry…I seemed to have gone off on a tangent there and have made the mood a little gloomy. Here, look over there. The dragon turtle is heading to some islands in the distance. I believe those are the Spratly islands, as there looks to be multiple land formations there. The Spratly islands consist of many different islands, and at one time they were mostly inhabited by seabirds. It’s difficult to farm on these islands and they don’t have any drinkable water supply, so they are uninhabited except for some of the military bases that China has built on a few. They’re located next to several shipping lanes, another reason why so many  countries wish to control them. 

Ah…hang on, visitor. The dragon turtle has stopped. Let me just…climb up next to its face and talk to it. One moment….

Well, visitor, it appears the Dragon Turtle won’t go any further. Due to territory disputes and the fragility of the reefs and ecosystems at risk, it is requesting we wait and watch for any jiaoren from it’s back. We will need to respect its wishes. Here, I brought an extra pair of binoculars with me. Why don’t you borrow them?

Keep a steady look out to the islands, as well as open ears while we search. The jiaoren are wonderful musicians and play the guz-heng, which is a chinese instrument that looks like a flat wooden rectangle with 21 strings attached to each end. Do you suppose they craft theirs out of driftwood? I wonder what they use for strings… 

They are also said to be very skilled craftspeople. During the Jin Dynasty, one account reports of a mermaid who came out of the water to sell dragon yarn to humans; that is a beautiful white yarn that would never get wet. For those that were kind enough to give her a place to stay, she would cry into a jar and fill it with the pearls she cried as her thanks. Even throughout history there myths about people from the higher ranks of society who claimed to have own dragon’s yarn, either in cloth of handkerchief form

Sh..listen. Do you hear that? I think it’s music. 

Ah! There’s one coming this way! Do you see her? She’s breathtaking… her dark hair glistens in the sun from the water. I wonder what she’s coming over for?

Oh…visitor…she’s holding out one of her pearls to you. Please, take it. To be trusted with something so precious; you can’t possibly say no. 

This is most puzzling…she didn’t stay long. Just handed the pearl to you and left as soon as she came. I can still hear the music. There must be others in the distance.

The dragon turtle is moving. It must be time to go back to the park. Allow me time to think as we head back visitor…I am so puzzled. Why did she gift you her pearl?

I’ve been thinking about the question I posed earlier visitor, when I asked What does it mean to be human? Perhaps the jioaren gave us the answer with her pearl it gifted you. Do you understand the significance of it? It is given to a human as a mark of great trust. And perhaps there is something about you that they trust. The park has trust in you too, every day that it shows you the trail to bring you here. It shows it to you because you are curious about nature and its mysteries. And often, curiosity for nature is made by a strong love of it in one’s heart, brought by a sense of connection and belonging. 

Perhaps, then, to be human means doing your best to be better. To be good stewards of the land, to create change so future generations everywhere can enjoy life without worry or fear. And perhaps that’s why the mermaid and the park trusts you. There is something within you that’s pure and good, and brings hope for the future. Will you do great things? Will you champion and advocate for the environment and all who depend on it? I look forward to seeing what you become in the future.

Looks like we made it back to land, with the trail of sea glass to take you home. Farewell; safe travels to you and please remember, do not feed the wildlife. 

Sources cited from today’s episode can be found in the show description.

If you have a short story, poem, or song you would like to feature on a future episode’s Lunch Break, please send the written version or a sound recording to thesupernaturalpark@gmail.com

If you liked this episode and want to hear more as well as gain access to behind the scenes content and in the works poetry, visit my patreon account at patreon.com/supernaturalpark. You can also find the facebook, instagram, twitter, and now website,  for it by searching Supernatural Park. 

The music intro used in the show is titled “Magic Forest” by Kevin Macleod. To hear the full version of the song or hear to hear more of his music, please visit incomptech.com