The origin and formation of Chinese civilization has always been a topic of wide discussion. The Chinese word "long" is an important symbol of Chinese civilization. Wherever there are Chinese communities, there is a "long" history. A sacred symbol of the nation, the Chinese word "long" is completely different from the West's interpretation, "dragon". Long ago a foreign missionary translated "long" into "dragon" by mistake. That mistake has been repeated for 300 years. Now, because of this mistake, some people have proposed abandoning the dragon as the symbol of Chinese civilization and replacing it with a new one." To consider this, we need to probe the origin and formation of the dragon culture and give a historical, scientific, cultural explanation of it.

The dragon culture was born at almost the same time as Chinese civilization. During the third meeting of the 5th Session of the 10th CPPCC National Committee held on March 11, I made a speech on the "Proposal on the project of identifying the origin of the Chinese civilization and studying the birth of the dragon culture". In addition to studying the 5,000 years of Chinese history, China also needs to study the origins of the Chinese civilization.

Scholars generally acknowledge that the origins of the Chinese civilization are diverse. Ancient relics and ruins discovered over the years support scholars' theories. In 2006, the Archaeological Institute of Gansu issued a "Report on the Excavation of Dadiwan Relic Site from the Neolithic Age in Qin'an County," in which it confirmed that Dadiwan culture, an advanced culture from the Neolithic Age, existed in the Dadiwan region at Qin'an County, Gansu province, between 8000 and 5000 years ago. A legend handed down from generation to generation for several thousand years tells that the founder of the Chinese civilization is Taihao Fuxi, a legendary god in ancient Chinese mythology. Fuxi ��lived' between 8000 and 7000 years ago, 2000 years earlier than the Yan Emperor and Huang Emperor. ��Alive' during the late matriarchal society and early patriarchal society in the Dadiwan area, he is a historic figure representing the beginning of a prosperous era and a great culture. Records in many ancient books also provide evidence of the Fuxi culture.

Fuxi culture and Dadiwan culture overlapped in both time and space. This is unlikely to be a coincidence �C it appears the cultures originated from the same ancient civilization.

Looking into the records on the Fuxi and Dadiwan cultures, it is clear there is a strong dragon culture. Images of an ancient dragon have been found on pottery unearthed at the Dadiwan site. Historians say Fuxi people established social administrative organs (nine divisions and six sub-divisions) and named them "long divisions" (dragon divisions). Each "long division" had a unique totem. Obviously, the dragon culture was created by the Fuxi civilization, which is the root of the profound and mystic Chinese civilization.

To study the origins of the Chinese civilization and dragon culture, we need to pay equal attention to the Fuxi and Dadiwan cultures and adopt new research concepts and methods.

Firstly, we should establish a culture-oriented concept of historical research. Culture is the heart of history; history is a record of cultural heritage and development. No matter how a country and a nation change, its culture remains unique and persistent. Culture is handed down from generation to generation, carrying the tradition and spirit of the nation with it. A nation with a strong sense of national identity and self-consciousness is unlikely to be alienated or conquered. Therefore, historians should focus on the origin and evolution of culture at every stage in history, as well as the influence on culture on history.

Secondly, we should use new methods to identify historical materials. Historians should pay equal attention to historical records, artifacts, and folk legends, using them to supplement each other. Usually, ancient legends and oral histories are the most dynamic, vivid and profound of historical resources.

The author, Zhou Yixing, is a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and vice chairman of the CPPCC Gansu Provincial Committee