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Webster's Dictionary: drag.on \'drag-en\ n dracon-,draco serpent,dragon, [fr.GK drakon;akin to OE torht bright,Gk derkesthai to see,look at] 1 archaic: a huge serpent 2:a fabulous animal usually represented as a monstrous winged and scaly serpent or saurian with a crested head and enormous claws.
A creature common to many mythologies, the dragon is depicted as having a reptilian body covered with scales. Many dragons have wings or the head and forelegs of a lion or bird of prey. They usually breathe fire and are associated with water. In the past most dragons were symbols of evil, but in China some were beneficent, and the dragon was the symbol of the emperor. Dragons are commonly associated with the gods, and in Christian symbolism they are seen as creatures of the devil. They often required human sacrifice, and PERSEUS, SIEGFRIED, and Saint GEORGE were among the legendary heroes who slew dragons.
Dragons
dragon (drag'-on) n. a fabulous winged reptile represented as breathing out fire and smoke.
Dragons and similar mythical beasts are part of folklore or written tradition in an wide range of cultures. Chinese traditions of dragons go back over three millennia; ancient Greek myths have their dragons, as do Norse, European and American. In most cultures the dragon is almost always the embodiment of evil. A powerful beast to be vanquished by the inferior, but resourceful human hero.
In particular in Babylonian, Egyptian, classical and Jewish myths dragons were destructive and symbolised chaos, while Christianity identified the dragon with the devil.
To balance this there are cultures that have benevolent dragons. The Japanese imperial house traces its roots from the daughter of the Dragon King of the Sea. Chinese dragons have always been regarded as guardians. The dragons in Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon myths were the guardians of the dead, protecting the the grave mounds of kings and heroes which often contained large amounts treasure.
Dragons are normally thought of as large creatures but the legends do not always depict them so.
The dragonet of Mount Pilatus was a creature that besieged the town of Wilser in Switzerland. Its breath was of flame and it charred homes, people and livestock alike. Winckelriedt was a man banished from Wilser due to an act of manslaughter, but due to their desperate need he was told that if he defeated the monster all his land would be returned to him.
Upon climbing the mountain Winckelriedt was confronted with the beast. No larger than a man it had a long body with bat-like wings and eyes that glowed in the shadows. During the conflict the beast tried on many occasions to flame the would-be hero. Winckelriedt was to quick on his feet and managed to dodge the powerful blasts of heat. At one point, however, the dragon over extended himself and Winckelriedt's blade flashed through the exposed neck. The head of the dragon rolled away, but Winckelriedt was covered in the blood of his foe and encountered the last defence of the beast...... to touch the blood of the dragonet was instant death.
The Classical Dragon
When you think of a dragon, what is the first thing that comes into your mind? In a great deal of cases I would bet that it is a four-legged winged, fire-breathing beast, much as the English dictionary definition above identifies.
There is an obvious reason for this, most modern fiction uses this model for the creation of dragons, but why?
Looking through the myths and legends of the world it is not hard to see why. Below are brief descriptions of two of the most famous of dragon legends. However there are many more out there and I would recommend a visit to your local library for alot more information.
To start with, the very word dragon can sometimes mean a variety of creatures, Wyrms, Wyverns, Serpents, Bailisks and more. Here a few descriptions of some of the most famous variations.
The Bailisk is a famous mythological animal, but not always associated with the dragon, but in truth, its origins are interconnected. Holding the upper part of it's two foot long body erect this creature, although small ,was one of the most feared in legend. Its ability to kill the largest animal and spilt asunder the biggest boulder made it a formidable foe. The creature would foul the land that it travelled across, poisoning any stream it drank from and changing fertile countryside into arrid desert. There were only three things immune to bailisk, the weasel, the cockerel and a plant called rue. The weasel could use rue to heal themselves after battle with the bailisk and the cockerels crowing would send one fleeing. It's worth mentioning that bailisks were not immune to themselves, as in many tales mirrors and other deflective devices were used to kill the bailisk.
The wyrm (or worm) is a common occurrence in legends world wide, it is normally a huge serpent-like being, it will have various individual characteristics depending on the legend. The Tatzelworm, for instance, has the front legs and head of a cat and the body of a snake. One of the most famous worms is the Lambton Worm from County Durham, England. This creature had the body of a snake with the head of a dragon. It's main feature was that if it was cut apart by a sword or other blade, then the pieces would reform, recreating the monster. The term 'Wyrm' is often used in modern fantasy as a insult to dragons.
The wyvern is a small dragon normally with only two legs.
My Favorite Dragon Movies
