Introduction to Dragons
At face value, the dragon appears a gigantic brute that eclipses the
sun and rules the Western lands, while in the East their sinuous coils
trace ribbons through the clouds. Wherever they may appear across the
globe, the dragon carries with it a remarkable array of interlinked
meanings and symbols, and within its colourful existence we find
captured something of our own history.
The fantastic symbolisms surrounding the dragon are diverse and
fascinating, yet in order to unweave the complex dragon we must first
look to their basics; such as what they look like, how they act and
their history, for this opens up a rich world unmatched by any other
creature.
This section covers the basics of dragons, but it is our aim to
present the information so beginner and well-read alike can learn
something new.
Dragons: A First Glimpse
From nations and cultures across the globe, legend has shaped and
crafted their own version of the dragon. Throughout the years and most
certainly into the future, this denizen of the flame has taunted
humanity with its splendorous power and ethereal grace. The dragon may
be sighted among the heavens as it takes to flight, felt underfoot as
it tunnels beneath the earth, or encountered in our deepest dreams. It
is perhaps because the dragon is not real, it becomes more prolific,
for the dragon has shed the skin of mortality and chosen to exist in a
place where only our most adventurous imaginings can touch it.
This mighty beast has not always been branded with the name dragon;
the word dragon as we know it first appeared in Hellenic times (800
BC- 338 BC [stark.kent.edu, 2004]), from the Greek draconta or drakon,
a name ascribed to any large mythological snake or serpent. Prior to
this, dragons were simply known by their local names, and it is not
until later years (such as today) that we are able to gather together
the long-overlooked members of this ancient family!
Although the dragon is a mythical creature, it was originally
transcended from the snake. The snake or serpent was known to "glide"
with their serpentine coils (colubrosus) (White, 1969), and it is here
we can identify an important era of change from the snake to the
dragon. This is an important link because it shows us a transition
point between the serpent slithering along the ground and then rising
up into the air. This linkage inspired a great deal of myth and
legend; further blending of the serpent and dragon occurred in
religious translations, as the word "serpent" and "dragon" are
interchangeable throughout the Bible.
These serpents later came to plague our skies with their fiery breath,
commanding domination over those whom they terrorised. They became
associated with guarding the deceased and their treasure, and were
carved into coffin lids to ward off grave robbers (Davidson, 1964). It
is this that gave rise to the popular children's tales we are all
familiar with; the scene of a dragon hoarding treasure or some hapless
maiden, only to be confronted by a valiant knight, is well known.
However, serpents showing dragon-like qualities first appeared some
thousands of years prior to this. The dragon's oldest relative, the
rainbow serpent, appeared in Australian Aboriginal culture (65 000 BC-
35 000 BC), and was showcased in traditional rock art some 6- 8 000
years ago (Tacon, et al., 1996). Unlike the European serpent which
adapted and specialised to become the dragon we know today, these
serpents have remained the same over time.
It is no wonder the dragon has captured our interest for so long.
These beasts are marvels of the unseen world, for they appear across
heraldry, mythology, alchemy and religion. It is unsurprising that
historical figures wrote of them frequently; the noted explorer Marco
Polo wrote in his journals of the dragons he encountered among his
travels (Allen & Griffiths, 1979), and naturalist Edward Topsell
included them in his bestiaries. Alexander the Great and his army were
terrorised by a dragon (Byrne [ed.], 1979), while a salamander (an
amphibious type of dragon commonly found near fire), poisoned a river
which subsequently killed 4 000 of Alexander's soldiers (Shuker,
2004).
Dragons have appeared in countless artworks, both ancient and
contemporary, and have symbolised a number of things; such as the
unchanged base alchemical matter (Shuker, 2004), to an obstacle or
Devil.
In Eastern tradition, the dragon is perhaps even more famous. Rather
than stem from the snake or serpent, the dragon is made up of many
different animal parts, and was seen as an Imperial beast guarding the
heavens (Storm, 2002). These dragons gained popularity during the Han
dynasty of China (Whittaker, 1997), and tales of these creatures were
passed down orally and visually for years. Dragons were incorporated
into the Chinese zodiac (Chu-hwan, 1994), and like the Western dragon,
they were depicted on tombs (Bahn, 1997).
Oriental dragons were important to everyday life, and were associated
with human fertility and the water they delivered to crops (Littleton,
2002). Once an Eastern dragon reached a certain age, they went through
physical and mental changes, such as the growth of horns or wings,
which were accompanied with new wisdom. The hai riyo or "dragon bird"
was the highest state of being for a Chinese dragon, and to become one
took thousands of years (Shuker, 2004).
The dragon is not only varied in its temperament and personality, but
takes on many different forms to match. The first example that springs
to mind is the gigantic, six-limbed Western dragon breathing fire of
European myth and terror. In contrast, the Eastern dragon is slender
and snake-like in appearance, although no less striking. With coloured
manes, horns, beautiful iridescent scales and sometimes sporting
expansive feathered wings, the Eastern dragon is an awe-inspiring
creature to behold (Cooper, 1992). There is a wide range of different
dragon appearances; these may include more snake-like variants such as
the limbless worm dragons, to reptilian dragons like the four-limbed
wyvern. "Monster" or chimerical dragons, named so because of their
extremely outlandish appearance, may include the piasa, an American
dragon with bird-like features and the face of a man (Nigg, 2002), or
the Australian bunyip, which is comprised of many different animal
parts (Shuker, 2004).
A Western (European) dragon meets an Eastern dragon.
Because there are such a wide variety of dragons throughout antiquity,
close examination is often required when deciding what can be classed
into the dragon collective. There are no established guidelines for
drawing the line between dragon and curious beast, and a great deal of
exceptions are always needed when considering the cultural and native
background of the candidate in question. However, the number of
persistent similarities over countries and across time has shown us
the basic qualities of a dragon, and these primary traits include:
" A reptilian appearance, often with monstrous (chimerical) or
serpentine qualities, not to be confused with a snake;
" Basic elemental ties, including but not limited to water and
fire;
" Esoteric properties, including but not limited to body parts
which have positive physical and/ or spiritual qualities, such as
healing or luck;
" Usually, but not always, the dragon is represented as an
obstacle that is to be overcome.
Though these four points are legitimate, usually discretion is a more
appropriate tool when classing dragons. Attention must also be paid to
the creature's cultural background and the timeframe they featured in;
a great deal of skepticism must also be used!
" In conclusion, the dragon is a majestic beast representing the
battle between the opposing forces of light and darkness. Their
physical prowess is unmatched, and numerous stories throughout the
world feature dragons as evil serpents battling valiant heroes, or as
Imperial masters lending help to mankind. Truly, this creature is a
timeless legend within itself. There is no other beast that can match
the dragon, for this a King who knows no boundaries.
Lil Stinker
"just havin' fun!"
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