纪录片《美丽中国》 第65期 沃土中原（8）（在线收听）

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