Dragon² (龖): From Mahjong's "Double Dragon Embrace" to Peaceful U.S.–China Coexistence and Peace Under Heaven -- A Life-Writing Narrative 《龖(Dragon²): 從麻將「雙龍抱」到中美和平共存與天下太平的生命書寫》

Abstract

Wang, Lawrence K. 王抗曝 (2026). Dragon² (龖): From Mahjong's "Double Dragon Embrace" to Peaceful U.S.–China Coexistence and Peace Under Heaven-- A Life-Writing Narrative 《龖(Dragon²): 從麻將「雙龍抱」到中美和平共存與天下太平的生命書寫》. Evolutionary Progress in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Lenox Institute Press, Massachusetts, USA. 8(10L), 43 pages. ........ ABSTRACT: 本文延續作者對「囍—𩺰—龖」的文化思考,將古字「龖」重新詮釋為 Dragon²(亦寫作 Dragon2)。囍象徵新婚之喜,𩺰象徵夫妻無論順境逆境皆相伴一生;龖則將關懷由家庭延伸至世界。在本文所採用的麻將規則中,「雙龍抱」指由兩對相同順子構成的組合,共含四副順子,每對中的兩副順子花色與數序相同。作者借其「抱而不鬥」的意象,將兩龍比喻為具有全球影響力的中國與美國,寄託兩國相互尊重、和平共存的願望。這是作者提出的跨文化和平隱喻,並非將龍視為美國固有的國家象徵。作者於龍年出生於中國,1949年遷至臺灣,後赴美求學、成家與工作。中國承載其出生、文化與早年記憶,臺灣見證其成長與求學,美國則承載其深造、事業與家庭生活。這段跨越海峽與太平洋的生命歷程,使中美關係成為與自身及家人命運相連的切身議題。本文比較「雙龍爭珠」「雙龍戲珠」「雙龍抱」與「雙龍護珠」的意象:若明珠代表霸權,兩龍可能陷入零和競爭;若明珠代表地球,兩龍便肩負共同守護的責任。文章進一步借用工程系統中的回饋、穩定與失控概念,闡述核戰無真正贏家的警示,主張中美競而不戰、強而有制、和而不同,並在氣候變遷、公共衛生、人工智慧安全與核風險降低等領域推動合作。和平的意義亦須落實於平民百姓的生活,使家庭免於戰亂、人民安居樂業、世代得以延續。「龖」為既有古漢字,由兩個繁體「龍」左右並列而成。本文賦予其「雙龍抱,雙吉祥,共築人間仙境」的文化新意,以兩龍相擁、彼此尊重,象徵雙重吉祥、和諧共存與天下太平。此一意涵及其中的中美合作寓意,均屬作者的現代文化詮釋,而非「龖」字的傳統字典釋義; 關鍵詞:龖;Dragon²;Dragon2;雙龍抱;麻將文化;囍;𩺰;中美關係;生命書寫;系統工程;核風險降低;世界和平;和諧共存;天下太平;雙重吉祥;平民福祉;中美合作; ABSTRACT: This article continues the author's cultural reflections on the sequence 囍–𩺰–龖, reinterpreting the ancient Chinese character 龖 as Dragon² (also written as Dragon2). 囍 symbolizes the joy of marriage, while 𩺰 represents lifelong companionship through prosperity and adversity. 龖 extends this concern from the family to the world. In the mahjong rules adopted here, "Double Dragon Embrace" consists of two pairs of identical sequences—four sequences in total, with the two sequences in each pair matching in both suit and numerical order. Drawing on the image of "embracing rather than fighting," the author uses the two dragons as a metaphor for China and the United States, two globally influential powers, expressing the hope that they will respect each other and coexist peacefully. This is a cross-cultural metaphor for peace proposed by the author, not a claim that the dragon is a traditional national symbol of the United States. Born in China in the Year of the Dragon, the author moved to Taiwan in 1949 and later pursued further education, established a family, and developed his career in the United States. China holds his birthplace, cultural roots, and early memories; Taiwan shaped his upbringing and education; and the United States became the setting for his advanced studies, career, and family life. This life journey across the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific makes U.S.–China relations a deeply personal concern connected to his own and his family's future. The article compares four images: "Two Dragons Contending for a Pearl," "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl," "Double Dragon Embrace," and "Two Dragons Protecting a Pearl." If the pearl represents hegemony, the dragons may become trapped in zero-sum competition; if it represents the Earth, they share a responsibility to protect it. Drawing further on the engineering concepts of feedback, stability, and loss of control, the article emphasizes that nuclear war has no true winners. It advocates competition without warfare, strength exercised with restraint, and harmony without uniformity, alongside cooperation on climate change, public health, artificial intelligence safety, and nuclear risk reduction. Peace must also take concrete form in the lives of ordinary people, allowing families to live free from war, communities to thrive, and future generations to flourish. The character 龖 consists of two traditional Chinese 龍 characters placed side by side. The author gives it a new cultural meaning: "Two dragons embrace, bringing paired blessings and together creating an earthly paradise." Their embrace and mutual respect symbolize shared auspiciousness, harmonious coexistence, and peace under heaven. These meanings, including the association with U.S.–China cooperation, are the author's contemporary cultural interpretation rather than traditional dictionary definitions of 龖. KEYWORDS: 龖; Dragon²; Dragon2; Double Dragon Embrace; mahjong culture; 囍; 𩺰; U.S.–China relations; life writing; systems engineering; nuclear risk reduction; world peace; harmonious coexistence; peace under heaven; paired blessings; well-being of ordinary people; U.S.–China cooperation