If I Were a Mythical Creature...

I would be an oriental dragon. I like dragons because they are powerful, awe-inspiring, and, as a whole, the ultimate mythical creature to represent me. European dragons are largely depicted as representative of evil and conflict in fictional works; oriental dragons represented the Emperor. Thus, an oriental dragon represents power and stability. Oriental dragons were traditionally benevolent unless severely disturbed; the ancient Chinese attributed the worst floods to mortals disturbing dragons. Oriental dragons often do not have wings; they do not need them in order to fly due to their association with the wind and sky.
I was born in the year 2000 and I am Asian-American (Japanese), so I find it fitting to identify with an oriental dragon. Specifically, 2000 was the year of the metal dragon and this is the personality description for the metal dragon:
          "Occupying the 5th position in the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon is the mightiest of the signs. Dragons symbolize such character traits as dominance and ambition. Dragons prefer to live by their own rules and if left on their own, are usually successful. They’re driven, unafraid of challenges, and willing to take risks. They’re passionate in all they do and they do things in grand fashion. Unfortunately, this passion and enthusiasm can leave Dragons feeling exhausted and interestingly, unfulfilled.

While Dragons frequently help others, rarely will they ask for help. Others are attracted to Dragons, especially their colorful personalities, but deep down, Dragons prefer to be alone. Perhaps that is because they’re most successful when working alone. Their preference to be alone can come across as arrogance or conceitedness, but these qualities aren’t applicable. Dragons have tempers that can flare fast!" chinesezodiac.com

This description fit me so well I felt like my deepest secrets had been found out. Normally calm and placid outwardly, my temper can flare intensely and seemingly out of nowhere. However, I used to (and still do to some extent) expect others to know the source of these flares (due to my supine tendencies). I prefer to work alone, not because I don't like other people, but because compromising is difficult for me. I am a blend of melancholic and choleric, the two most stubborn temperaments. However, melancholic and choleric stubbornness are different from each other. Melancholics insist on the right way; cholerics insist on their way. I do both. I choose my way and back it up with supporting facts to prove that I am right. This has taken a toll on my popularity, but I care to be right more than liked.

I struggle with asking for help. For one, it is difficult for me to ask for what I need. In addition to that, I tend to grit my teeth and trudge through a situation to find the right way for myself rather than gathering information from others. I favor asking assistance from my teachers over my peers because my peers can mislead me 1) for the sake of sabotaging me or 2) because they, too, do not have the correct information. It takes a conscious effort for me to trust others and exhausts my energy reserves. My comparatively more sanguine peers don't understand why I don't trust them. I do not have anything personal against them; I just prefer not to be misled.

I am not a "better dead than led" type as is common for others to think of me. While I like to lead, I have no problem submitting to leaders I recognize as competent and well-intentioned. My music teachers and God are prime examples of this description; I heed their advice and take it to heart. Instead, I'm a "better dead than misled" type. I would not take musical advice from a non-flutist because they cannot tell me how to execute the motions needed to produce flute music or ask someone whose skills I doubt for assistance in my field. I identify with oriental dragons for many reasons and admire their appearance.

I know this is not a traditional oriental dragon, but I love this image so much.