Tales & Scales: East Asian Dragons in Art, Literature, and Festive Traditions
| When | Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Where | Asia Library Hatcher Library North, Fourth Floor View building informationView floor plan |
| Event type | Reception/Open House |
| Series | Third Thursdays at the Library |
The dragon may be an imaginary animal, but it is definitely a living tradition! For the final Third Thursday of this academic year, the Asia Library will partner with U-M's Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (LRCCS) for a special open house celebrating the East Asian dragon (C: 龍/龙, J: 竜, K: 용). This event is part of LRCCS's "Dancing with the Dragon" semester-long program (winter 2026) honoring the artistic creativity and collective spirit embodied by this fantastic creature.
While dragons are commonly associated with political power in East Asian tradition, we aim to present a more nuanced portrait through "Tales & Scales." The dragon is an auspicious, benevolent, and sometimes playful figure — a stark contrast to its Western counterpart. It appears in countless folk tales and remains active in everyday life through art, architecture, and vibrant festivals. The dragon dance, in particular, continues to be a vital celebration that fuses music, performing arts, and craftsmanship.
Our curated selection showcases the dragon's evolution across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures. You can explore catalogs and literary works alongside original artworks that capture the dragon's iconic yet diverse forms. From ancient mythology to contemporary pop culture, these materials highlight the dragon's enduring charm.
Third Thursdays at the Library is a themed monthly open house where we share materials from our collections. While you’re here, pick up a passport and collect a stamp from each of this month's Third Thursday locations — Asia Library, Clark Library, International Studies, and the Special Collections Research Center — to win a poster!
Panel with dragon, phoenix, and peonies (龍鳳呈祥圖), silk and metallic-thread tapestry (kesi 緙絲), 16th century, China, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Library contact
Yung-Hui Chou · yunghuic@umich.edu
Library events are free and open to the public, and we are committed to making them accessible to attendees. If you anticipate needing accommodations to participate, please notify the listed contact with as much notice as possible.