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Dragons are powerful, mythical creatures, typically depicted as gigantic, flying serpents/lizards or other tetrapods with magical, spiritual, or supernatural qualities. Most dragons are distinguished between the winged Western dragons (derived from various European folk traditions) or Eastern dragons (derived from the Chinese "lóng" dragon).

Dragons occur in many legends around the world. Like most other mythological creatures, dragons are perceived in different ways by different cultures. However, dragons have often been held to have major, spiritual significance in various religions and cultures.

The varying stories about dragons from different cultures have been grouped under the dragon label.

Etymology[]

The word "dragon" derives from Greek δράκων (drakōn), "a serpent of huge size, a sea serpent or sea fish, a python," and that from the verb δέρκομαι (derkomai) "to see clearly," which may be a reference to the creature having a deadly glance.[1][2][3]

Western Dragons[]

Welsh Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch)

Welsh Dragon

Appearance[]

Western or European dragons are depicted as large reptiles that often possess bat-like wings.[4][5] In early European literature dragons can have a variable number of legs: none, two, four, or more.[6] Modern depictions of dragons tend to be larger than their original representations, which were often smaller than humans, and are generally considered to have four legs.

Behavior[]

They often make their home on cliffs or in deep caverns.[7] They are often seen as evil, dangerous beasts that bring death and destruction, and are often associated with the Devil.[8][9][10] They are proud but often lazy and greedy creatures in myth that love gold and other valuables. They were known for capturing and eating humans, especially young maidens.[11] Heroes often go to slay these monsters, usually to rescue a captive, steal valuables, or obtain glory.[12]

Abilities[]

Western dragons are often depicted with an elemental ability to breath or belch fire from their mouths.[13][14][15] In more modern depictions Western dragons may breathe different things, like poison, or ice.

Symbolism[]

They were often used in tales about heroes, but were also frequently used as emblems and for heraldry as symbols of power and nobility. Various countries in Europe use dragons as logos and symbols in their flags such as Wales' flag which sports a red four-legged dragon.[16]

See: European dragons

Eastern Dragons[]

Chinese Dragon

A Chinese Dragon

Appearance[]

Dragons from the east are more snake-like and generally do not have wings as compared to the European variety. However, whether or not they have wings, they are considered fast and majestic fliers. Many are portrayed with dorsal spines or manes. Eastern dragons are also depicted in varying shapes, colors, and sizes, with some similar to the fairies of other cultures, though red and golden coloration is commonly depicted.

Behavior[]

These Lóng (sometimes rồng) dragons are generally portrayed as benevolent and wise beings who share their knowledge and bloodline with humans, though there are exceptions.[17]

Abilities[]

Eastern dragons are commonly said to possess some form of magic or other supernatural power or powers, and are often associated with wells, rain, and rivers.[18][19] They are associated with wisdom and often said to be wiser than humans.[20] In addition they are said to possess extreme longevity, living for hundreds or thousands of years. In some cultures, they are also said to be capable of human speech, or even the capability to speak all languages.

Symbolism[]

In many East Asian cultures dragons were, and in some cultures still are, revered as representative of the primal forces of nature, religion, and the universe.[21]

Eastern Dragons by Culture[]

  • In Chinese mythology, the dragon are usually perceived as signs of good luck, and ancient emperors would often claim connections to these almost holy creatures. Their power and knowledge can also be determined by the number of fingers on their claws - for example, the greatest of dragons was said to have 5 claws, and only the Chinese emperor could wear the Dragon Robes decorated with such a creature.[22] Chinese citizens use dragon disguises in various celebrations, most notably when celebrating the Chinese New Year.[23]
  • In Japanese mythology, belief in dragons is derived from Chinese influence. Like Chinese dragons, Japanese dragons are mainly viewed as wise and divine. In Japan the dragon is used in the Golden Dragon Parade and Festival in Tokyo every March and October 18. In addition to the more typical eastern-style dragon, there are a few draconic monsters in Japanese culture that more closely resemble western lore.
  • In Vietnamese Mythology, rồng dragons play a crucial role in their creation myth. The Vietnamese people are descended from a dragon and a fairy according to this ancient myth. Vietnamese believe the dragons brings rain, which is essential for agriculture. It also represents the emperor, the prosperity and power of the nation, and Yang (male and creative and associated with heaven, heat, and light).

Draconic Creatures in Other Mythologies and Cultures[]

  • In Catalonian (Spain) mythology, Catalan Dragons are depicted as serpent-like creatures, with two or four legs. Female Catalan dragons are named víbria. Their breath is poisonous, said to be capable to rot anything or anyone it touches.
  • In French mythology, dragons are referred to as dragoons.
  • In Sardinian (Italian) mythology, a dragon named Scultone is mentioned. This dragon had the power to kill humans with his gaze, is said it was immortal, resided in rural, undeveloped land or country areas.
  • In Norse mythology, there was the serpent-like lindworms with either a single pair of arms or legs but not both. Dragon heads often adorned Viking longboats in order to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies on raids.
  • In Greek mythology, dragons were frequently guardians of divine locations and objects. In Homer's Iliad, Agamemnon is described as having a blue-colored dragon motif on his sword belt and a three-headed dragon emblem on his breastplate.
  • In Egyptian mythology, a giant serpent known as Apep/Apophis was a divine being and the mortal enemy of Ra, could be considered to be on the same level of power as a dragon.
  • In Hindu mythology (especially Indonesian and Malay), draconic serpents known as Nagas (or Nogos) are considered divine neutral creatures who are usually benevolent in nature. They are commonly equated with and depicted as cobras.

In Popular Culture[]

Literature[]

Dragons have been present in literature for thousands of years and even up to today's era. English literature has brought significant change in the world's culture, with novels such as J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit which featured Smaug, a large dragon, as one of its antagonists.

  • A gigantic and powerful European dragon named Smaug appears as the main antagonist of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.[24]
  • Indonesian dragons appear in Monsterology: The Complete Book of Fabulous Beasts.
  • In A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones, a major plot point for Daenerys Targaryen is when she hatches 3 baby dragons and names them Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal.
  • In The Loathsome Dragon, turning someone into a dragon by a wicked stepmother is regarded as a punishment.

Films[]

In films they started out in movies from the 50's to 70's all were puppet or even animated like Elliot from Pete's dragon. In the 80's they started gaining a more menacing and more diabolical nature such as Vermithrax in Dragonslayer in the mid 80's being the first to have a Wyvern like appearance. In the 90's dragons took a CGI appearance such the honorable Draco in Dragonheart that was a major success that made dragons popular in the mid to late 90's. the 2000's gave the dragons a more Wyvern appearance as seen in Reign of Fire, Beowulf (2007), Games of Thrones, and especially the Peter Jackson's version of Smaug is an example like Draco as a successful dragon.

Dragon Lady[]

in 1959 Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty had made a new perspective in the way modern viewers would see dragons today, He created Maleficent as the main antagonist but he also made it as if Dragons aren't always pets like seen in Sinbad: the 7th Voyage, instead he created as if she can become a dragon that dragon fans know of the Black and violet dragon we see this very day. Didn't stop there the Dragon Lady fad would later be on ABC's movie the Magic Flute with the Night Queen becoming a two-headed dragon, then in 1999 Don Bluth's sequel and only one he animated made a more sequence and elaborate transformation with Ludmilla in Bartok the Magnificent. Butch Hartman in the early 2000''s did Dorathora as the Ghost Dragon in Danny Phantom making it like Ludmilla a reluctant or non willing transformation. In 2011 the short Reversal of the Heart, a princess was cursed because of an arrogant prince stole and misused a draconus crystal. DC followed this fad with Morgaine Le Fey in Batman the Brave and the Bold in 2009 and Ember in DC Superhero Girls in 2020. Other cartoons followed this example such as Queen Evil in Bunnicula and Charmcaster in Ben 10. The Dragon Lady trend started by Disney but it will have more to come as in films with other dragon movies.

Video games[]

Dragons are also either protagonists like Spyro the Dragon, since 1996 on Playstation that had fans adoring him that made sequels, or even new forms such as Legend of Spyro or Skylanders. While antagonistic bosses like the famed Deathwing from World of Warcraft franchise. The dragon was also a playable avatar to unlock in the MMO game, Fer.al.

Gallery[]

Dragon/Gallery

References[]

  1. https://www.etymonline.com/word/dragon
  2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/dragon-mythological-creature
  3. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
  4. https://www.britannica.com/topic/dragon-mythological-creature
  5. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
  6. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/european-dragons
  7. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/european-dragons
  8. Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth, By Carol Rose (2001)
  9. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
  10. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/european-dragons
  11. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/european-dragons
  12. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/european-dragons
  13. https://www.britannica.com/topic/dragon-mythological-creature
  14. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
  15. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/european-dragons
  16. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
  17. https://www.britannica.com/topic/dragon-mythological-creature
  18. https://www.britannica.com/topic/long
  19. Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth, By Carol Rose (2001)
  20. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
  21. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
  22. https://www.britannica.com/topic/long
  23. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-surprising-history-of-dragons/CgJyM6TaZ5rRJg
  24. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dragon
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