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DragonsThe term dragon was derived from the Greek term drakon. Drakon originally was a term used to describe any large serpent. The dragon of medieval Europe usually was thought of as a large serpent, even when it had legs. |
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In ancient Greek mythology, there are no dragons as we think of them today. They were giant serpents. The constellation, Draco is probably the most famous dragon from ancient Greek mythology. The Draco constellation is actually based on a serpent named Ladon, the guardian of Hera's golden apple tree. As one of 12 labors to be forgiven for one of his sins, Hercules shot and killed Ladon with poisonous arrows. Dragons were in Norse mythology (also called ancient Scandinavian mythology and the mythology of Vikings). In Norse mythology dragons are also viewed as giant serpents. The three major dragons are Nidhoggr, Fafnir, and the World Serpent. Nidhoggr was known as the Dread Biter. He lives at the foot of the world tree and bites at its roots. Since the world tree supports all life of the world and Nidhoggr attempts to destroy it, Nidhoggr was personified as evil itself. It is Nidhoggr that will bring about the end of the world. Fafnir was once a humanoid (giant or dwarf, depending on the source) who was transformed into a dragon covered with impenetrable scales. Fafnir's blood was caustic, but when his blood is tasted it gives one the ability to hear another's thoughts and understand the language of birds. The World Serpent is also called Jormungandr. He is noted for his poisonous breath and as the enemy of Thor. Jormungandr lived in the water that surrounds the human world and eventually grew so long he lived all around the world at once and started to eat his own tail. In the Middle East, where snakes are often large and poisonous, the serpent and dragon became a symbol of evil. This is best revealed by the ancient Egyptian god Apepi (the king of serpents) who was an evil giant serpent. It is believed that the Middle Eastern view of dragons is what influenced how dragons are viewed in the west. The Chinese dragons are called lung. Originally lung was a rain divinity. Rain rituals started around 6th century BC in China that involved a dragon image animated by a procession of dancers. Chinese Dragons are not evil. They often represent yang, the male and fruitful part of nature's balance (as part of the Taoist religion). Lung are very similar to the western dragon, but have many of their own characteristics. They take three thousand years to mature. Chinese dragons have the body of a serpent, four legs, and horns. They are wingless and do not breathe fire. Chinese dragons can fly (despite having no wings), they can change their size at will, and (according to many legends) they can change into any shape (including humans). They can become small enough to be invisible. There are four different types of Chinese dragons: T'ien Lung, Fu Tsang Lung, Ti Lung, and Shen Lung. T'ien Lung and Fu Tsang Lung became Dragon Kings called Lung-Wang: gods who delivered rain and protected ships. Ti Lung is the Earth Dragon and controls the waterways. Shen Lung was the Spiritual Dragon who controlled the rain and winds. How western dragons gained legs, wings, and fire breath is not known. Medieval monster makers encouraged the idea of dragons with legs and wings by creating baby dragons: a lizard with bat wings. These baby dragons became especially popular around 1557 in Paris. In the world of Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth, ancient dragons are often called Great Worms. In The Hobbit a Great Worm is encountered named Smaug. Great Worms live incredibly long lives (certainly thousands of years), have fire breath hot enough to melt steel, fly with their powerful wings, and have impenetrable scales. These dragons are extremely intelligent and speak to people, but are very arrogant, callous, and greedy. One weakness of these dragons is that they love to be admired and complimented so much that it influences their judgment. They conquer an area to gather a large hill of gold and treasure to sleep on. In Dungeons and Dragons there is a large range of dragons, mostly based on the view of dragons in Lord of the Rings. Most of them are giant winged lizards categorized by coloring. Metallic dragons are good and colored dragons are evil. Dragons in Dungeons and Dragons have a variety of breath weapons such as fire, cold, poisonous gas, and lightning. Older dragons almost always know how to cast spells, and can do so by will alone. Some dragons are less traditional, such as the fairy dragon (a very small dragon with butterfly wings). Like many views of dragons, dragons in Dungeons and Dragons like to horde wealth and are immortal (as far as dying from old age). They take at least 50 years to mature. Dragons live with their parents until they are young adults. Then they leave home in search of a mate and collect a horde of treasure: hills of coins, gems, jewels, and artifacts. Dragons live with their mate until they are somewhat aged, then split up to have a treasure horde of their own. |
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