European Dragons
Of the animal kingdom, the European or Western dragon is the king of
evil, the opposition to light and the chaotic counterpart to order.
Though the dragon has plagued mankind since early times as a physical
manifestation of sickness, war and death, the dragon has somehow,
despite standing for nothing short of our greatest foe, instilled a
modified form of respected awe in the minds of many. Of course, with a
fiery breath, massive teeth, sharp claws and an armoured, whip-like
tail, it is not hard to see how such a dangerous creature would demand
nothing short of our respect and fear.
Early dragons appear in ancient Greek myths, such as the serpent
Python who was created by the goddess Hera to chase Leto (Graves,
1985), who had lain with Hera's husband Zeus, or the dragon Illuyankas
who fought against the Weather God (Fontenrose, 1959). These, along
with many more, were frequently portrayed with malicious intent and
satiated their battlelust with fervent vigour- a personality trait
that has, on a more bestial level, been mirrored exactly with later
dragons.
Dragonkind essentially evolved as a fantastical elaboration of the
ancient snake or serpent (dragons are absent from countries without
snakes, such as Ireland and New Zealand1); their serpentine bodies are
a continual reflection of their ancestors, and since early times the
two have been closely related. This relationship may have began with
"anguis", the star Draco ("Dragon"), named so because the word is
ascribed to serpents who are continually bent and crooked (White,
1969). Snakes were also known to "glide" with their serpentine coils
(colubrosus), which symbolically and quite literally was likely to
have been the starting point of the dragon's ascention into the sky as
a flying beast (White, 1969).
Elements of humanity were often present in early dragons, as seen in
Typhon (Fontenrose, 1959), which would explain a great deal of
mankind's attraction to the dragon, for it possibly originated from
the carnal, darker part of our minds. As the dragon continued to adapt
and remove itself from any conceivable animal group, it further
threaded itself into its own unique sphere of existence. Still, there
remained something familiar within the dragon which mankind perhaps
recognised; some subconscious, forbidden aspect of ourselves that, as
the dragon further evolved into its own creature, became more exotic
and alien.
This is opitimised with the dragon's Draconce or Dragon-stone, the
precious, luck-giving gem dragons wear on their foreheads (Nigg,
2002), and the large treasure hoards they so famously guard.
The earliest definition of 'dragon' in modern culture described "a
huge serpent or snake; a python", and indeed this is true, as the
dragon has long been considered the largest not only of serpents, but
of all living creatures on Earth (White, 1969). The word dragon
itself, originally from the Greek draconta or drakon, (later to be
turned into the Latin draco), consistently pertained to any large
mythological snake or serpent, though in recent years the term has
been refined to refer explicitly to the six-limbed, fire-breathing
dragon.
Because the dragon first began as a snake or serpent, its evolving
form has broadened the dragon whole to include a wide range of family
members, from the early worm dragons; including the original worm, the
lindworm, tazelworm and amphisbaena, to the chimerical cockatrice and
its preceding basilisk. The wyvern, six-limbed dragon and dragonet
were also a product of change. Of the European dragons, the Greek
multi-headed hydra2 alone was born independently from the rest of its
family- though it came directly from the primal serpent like the worm
dragons, its seems to have originated from a single myth (Hercules and
the Lernean Swamp Hydra) and its multiple, self-producing snake heads
have always set it apart from these earliest worm dragons. It wasn't
until later years that the hydra was really classed as a member of the
infamous dragon family.
Dragons eventually went on to dominate the serpent world; typical
Western dragons (fire-breathers with six limbs) are known as the kings
of all large serpents, and the smaller, extremely deadly basilisk was
given the title as the king of all small serpents (Bullfinch, year
unknown). In Norway, a grand meeting or gathering of snakes known as
the ormetinget, taking place annually on Midsummer's Eve (or near
Michaelmass) in May, decides the ruler of the snakes as they battle
one another for the title of drage (dragon [Grambo, 1964-5]). Forming
a circle, the snakes face one another and hiss and spit loudly until
one is forced into the middle, after which the other snakes will bite
and poison the hapless creature until it is reduced to nothing but a
mound of flesh, which gradually hardens to become a precious stone
called the adderstone (Grambo, 1964-5). The snakes then flee and drink
from the nearest water source; the first to return and bite the
adderstone is proclaimed the drage (Grambo, 1964-5). [Top]
The immense variety of forms in the European dragon is best
appreciated when comparing the creatures directly. From more
"primitive" reptilian forms such as the worm , salamander and peluda
, develop more derived, "advanced" forms such as the wyvern , western
dragon and dragonet. Finally there are chimerical dragons, a mix of
several beasts, and in this category we find the basilisk and
tazelworm.
It is general knowledge dragons were well known before the Middle Ages
(which began in ~1100 AD [Encarta, 2003]), but the extent to which
they played a part in classical society and culture before this time
is perhaps a little more vague. Famed for their appearances on the
prows of Viking ships, dragons were also a symbol for esoteric aspects
of worldly and otherworldly life, appearing in one of the largest
collection of runic graffiti yet found at Maes Howe, a prehistoric
(and re-established in the ninth century AD by the Norse) burial mound
at Orkney, off Scotland's north coast. The runes speak of a walrus,
serpent and naturally, a dragon (Bahn, 1997). Dragons were held not in
reverence (unless we count fearful awe as a form of reverence), but in
terror and loathing for the sinful darkness they had long been
associated with, and for the greed and lust they inspired in mankind.
This attitude is reinforced in tales such as Beowulf and the dragon,
and was justified time and again by numerous dragon sightings which
foretold of disaster on a large-scale, such as the sighting of 795 AD:
Fearful lightings and dragons blazing in a dreadful manner were seen
to fly through the air, signs which foreshadowed a mighty famine.
Though in previous years the dragon had always been associated with
evil and darkness, it wasn't until the Middle Ages that this began to
evolve. Now, dragons were seen not always seen as a great, untamable
beast that would leave a fiery path where and when it chose. Though
they had often been fought and destroyed in the past by numerous
slayers, warriors and heroes, with the rise of the Christian church
mankind was given hope against this great evil and began to challenge
the master of fire, land and sky which had plagued the European world
for so long. Rather than be the great, dominating oppressor of earlier
years, new hope had been lit and they became, instead, an obstacle to
redemption. Submission to evil was no longer a necessity.
Because of their dark nature, it is no suprise that the dragon's
linkages were with burial sites, where they were frequently shown as
the guardian of the dead and the burial mound, for their obsessive
drive to hoard and guard makes this beast an effective keeper and
watcher. They were depicted repeatedly as fire-breathers, going so far
as to not only breathe fire from their mouth, but on occasion to make
houses and villages combust simply by being in close proximity.
In contrast, dragons- particularly the worm type- were linked to
water, such as the lindworm who lives in water bodies. This is
symbolic of the worm's paternal role as the first form of the European
dragon, as water is traditionally a life-bringing force. The hydra too
is linked to the aquatic element, often lairing near wet areas such as
springs, swamps or lakes.
As previously discussed, there are many dragon types and forms within
the Western sphere. There is often little physical difference between
the serpent dragon and the snake, however dragons are distinguished by
the crown or fins they have atop their heads, or the beards fringing
their chins. Other dragons are easily separated from the natural snake
by the presence of legs or wings, often both; regardless of their
morphology, all dragons can be quickly identified for their special
abilities and properties.
Dragon body parts hold curative potential and through consumption,
often endow mankind with supernatural abilities. This was exemplified
with the blood of the Norse dragon Fafnir, whose slayer Sigurd roasted
the dead dragon's heart and, after testing the blood to see if the
meat was tender, instantly understood the language of animals
(Guerber, 1909). As mentioned earlier, dragons wear a valuable
luck-filled stone on their foreheads, and dragon's teeth planted into
the ground will reap a crop of battle-ready soldiers. However, their
body parts are not always advantageous, for their blood (despite being
of benefit to Sigurd) is an acidic, flesh-eating substance that can
kill when it touches the skin, and the dragon-stone on their forehead
is readily cursed if removed post-mortem rather than before the
slaying.
Despite the dragons kingship over all other serpents, the dragon does
not come without its enemies in the animal kingdom. The panther, as a
symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ, breaks the dragons stranglehold over
the wild animals which it keeps in fear by eating a large meal. The
panther or pantera then goes for a long sleep and, when it wakes,
roars and emits a sweet odour from its mouth which the animals follow.
Only the dragon is left motionless in its underground den, numb with
shock, while outside the animals rejoice in their freedom and follow
the panther wherever it goes. The burnt bones of an elephant, another
of the dragons enemies, also give off a sweet scent that causes
serpents and dragons to flee; nam et ossa et pellis de elephante in
quocumque loco vel domo fuerint incensa, statim odor eorum expellit
inde et fugat serpentes, or "the bones and hide of the elephant, when
burnt in any place or house, at once give off an odour so that
serpents flee".
The dragon and the stag also share an animosity- when the stag sees a
serpent, it fills the serpents lair with water from its mouth and thus
forces the serpent to reveal itself, after which the stag crushes it
with its hooves. This is also symbolic of the Lord Jesus and the
Devil, as when Christ recognises a possessed man he drives out the
demon with his words of holy truth; cuius non potest antiquus draco
suffere sermones, which translates "the old dragon which cannot stand
his words".
Basilisk:
The basilisk dragon is enemies with the cock or rooster whose crow
sends it into convulsions, and the weasel who, not only is immune to
the dragon's deadly gaze, but by protecting itself through consumption
of a rue plant, bites the basilisk to death (Bullfinch, year unknown).
Aitvaras:
Rooster-like in appearance, the aitvaras is easily confused with the
cockatrice for the two chimerical dragons have similar physical
features. With four armour-plated legs, thick scales and spines
protecting its body, the aitvaras is a strong, robust creature.
However, the aitvaras is famed mostly for its fiery tail that, when
rubbed against ash, bursts into flames; a lethal weapon often employed
against enemies. The aitvaras have been known to work in partnership
with farmers; in exchange for eggs, these creatures bear gifts of
coins and grain
.
Amphisbaena:
Brought to life when the blood from the gorgon Medusa was spilt on the
desert sand, the amphisbaena (also amphisbena, amphivena, Greek for
"goes both ways") or tail-biter, has a second head at its tail-end,
both of which are the same size as the rest of its body. This is said
to be due to the amphisbaenas body being of the same thickness at both
ends, however it is also possible that their tail is shaped like their
head to confuse enemies (such as the shingleback lizards
[Trachydosaurus rugosus] of Australia). Because very few amphisbaenas
have wings, these dragons have accommodated for their earth-bound
predicament by learning to grasp their second head in their mouth and
travelling by rolling around in a ring- a much more efficient mode of
transport. This enables them to move faster and confuses those seeking
to capture them, as these serpent dragons can travel either forward or
backward. The second head also gives the dragon an advantage over
other creatures, as one head will constantly remain alert while the
other sleeps. When hatching an egg, amphisbaenas have been noted to
take turns by waking each other up to guard while the other rests.
Ironically, the amphisbaena has small eyes and poor vision, despite
being birthed from the gorgon whose gaze turned others to stone.
This dragon symbolises the eternal circle of life as it holds its
secondary head in its mouth, and was often referred to by medieval
alchemists who felt the amphisbaena to immortalise the continuity of
birth, life and death. Lucan wrote of the amphisbaena:
Rising on twin-born heads comes dangerous Amphisbaena
And her eyes shine like lamps.
The amphisbaena has often been included in bestiaries and art; a
Viking torc or silver bracelet dating from the 11th century AD depicts
the double-headed serpent. Though found throughout Europe, they have
also been discovered in Libya, North Africa.
Amphisbaena:
The amphisbaena has the feet of a rooster, a large crest of spikes
atop its lizard-like head, a scaly body, and in the case of some, a
pair of feathered wings. The size of an amphisbaena can range from an
earthworm to 75 cm (2.5 ft) long, and these dragons burrow underground
tunnels (White, 1969). When threatened, the amphisbaena can exude an
agonising poison from its quick bite which kills swiftly. The scales
of an amphisbaena are thought to have medicinal properties,
particularly good for curing cold shivers and chilblains, as this
dragon is able to withstand cold temperatures and was always the first
creature to emerge from hibernation. Should a pregnant woman step over
an amphisbaena, she will miscarry her child.
Basilisk/ Cockatrice:
The word basilisk is derived from the Greek basileus, meaning "king";
translated into Latin however, the word becomes regulus, "a prince".
Both meanings are accurate, as the basilisk is both the king of all
small serpents, yet still subordinate (in title only) to the larger
Western dragon, the king of all large serpents.
There are several types of basilisk, yet all are famed for their
unnatural viciousness and wicked prowess. Basilisks are credited with
a deadly gaze; while one type burns up anything they approach, another
strikes dead anything that meets their yellow gaze. Usually, the
creature or person goes into an extreme stage of shock as a result of
meeting the basilisks stare, which shrivels and destroys them- this
same, piercing glare is known for splitting apart large boulders. Its
toxic breath can turn the lushest areas to barren wastelands, and
animals around can expire simply from the odour it emanates.
Similarly, any bird flying above a basilisk, though it may be far from
the creature, burns and dies. The hiss of a basilisk sends people and
animals running, though it is almost impossible to escape harm from
this creature as the sound produces hydrophobia and causes the
listener to turn mad or burst into flames. Like the Western dragon,
the strength of the basilisk lies in its tail which can kill simply by
contact. Pliny, the Roman naturalist, wrote of the basilisk, "he kills
the shrubs, not only by contact, but by breathing on them, and splits
the rocks, such power of evil there is in him."
This is in fact no elaboration, for the basilisk's venom is so
powerful that it can travel along objects; after stabbing a basilisk
with his spear, a knight and his mount were once reported to have died
after the basilisk's venom diffused through the weapon. Should a
basilisk bite any object in a persons hand, the bearer would die .
What though the Moor the basilisk hath slain,
And pinned him lifeless to the sandy plain,
Up through the spear the subtle venom flies,
The hand imbibes it, and the victor dies (Lucan, quoted in Bullfinch,
year unknown, p. 330).
The basilisk is said to live in desert areas like the scorpion,
however this is not because it is native to the hotter, arid climate,
but because its noxious breath and lethal, burning presence leaves
nothing save the barren waste- which also accounts for the basilisks
solitary confinement. Maintaining their kingly reputation, the
basilisk carries its long body upright in coils, rather than slither
along the ground like other serpents. In this sense, the basilisk is
held above its subjects. A white mark or tuft of hair on the head of a
basilisk further venerates its symbolic royal status, as this closely
resembles a crown. This white mark bands out into 15 cm or six inch
stripes along the basilisks length.
The basilisk has the body of a serpent and can have between one to
four pairs of bird-like legs. Sometimes depicted with wings and
antlers, these dragons are usually just under 30 cm (1 ft) long,
though a few individual basilisks are reported to be approx. 1 m (3
ft) long.
Despite the basilisks supreme power, no creature is without its enemy.
The only object not to combust under the basilisk is the rue plant.
Knowing this, weasels- which are already immune to the basilisks
deadly gaze, eat the plant for protection after chasing the basilisk
and biting it to death. Basilisk hide deterred spiders; one basilisk
skin stretched out in the temple of Apollo successfully repelled the
arachnids, and in the temple of Diana another hide stopped swallows
from entering (Bullfinch, year unknown). When burnt and scattered
around an area, basilisk ashes prevented venomous spiders from weaving
their webs. This made their skins very valuable, and so after feeding
their weasels a rue plant, hunters would send them down basilisk
tunnels, as weasels pursued basilisks relentlessly, perhaps
recognising their evil as representatives of the Antichrist.
The crow of a rooster or cock sends the dragon into convulsions that
result in death, and travellers would often take these birds with them
to ensure their safety. By looking into a mirror, the basilisk can
also die.
After some years (perhaps around the first century AD), the basilisk
began a transformation into the cockatrice- though there is a physical
difference between the two, the cockatrice still retained the
personality and temperament of its relative. With a lizard-like body
(as opposed to the often more serpentine form of the basilisk), a tail
like the spiked scorpion telson sting , the head of a rooster, small
bat wings and up to three pairs of legs, the cockatrice and basilisk
are interchangeable in history. There is some question over whether or
not the basilisk and cockatrice are two separate dragons or just
different names for the same creature. In 1382, the Wycliffe Bible
renamed the basilisk the cockatrice, and words that blurred the line
between the two dragons, such as "basili-coc" were already in use.
Around this time historical linguistic changes began to interfere with
and affect natural history, and the crocodile (Cocodrillus) was
similar to cock and cockatrice, while the Trochilus bird which picked
clean the food between the teeth of crocodiles may have been a cock
bird also. The aesthetical similarities between the two conflicts; the
weasel and basilisk, and the hydrus and crocodile, not to mention the
wattles and combs of cocks and crests of serpents, further added to
the etymological confusion (White, 1969). At the end, it appears the
muddle of grammar and bad translation birthed the cockatrice.
Basilisk/ cockatrice showing many rooster-like features.
Interestingly, the cockatrice has a highly unconventional method of
birth, as though the natural world is set up against adding such a
dangerous, evil creature to its stock. The cockatrice is lain from an
egg by a cock in its seventh year, which causes the rooster intense
discomfort, when the star Sirius is in the sky. The egg is then
hatched by either a toad or snake, usually on a dung heap.
Albertus Magnus says of the cockatrice, "I do not think it is true;
yet it is reported as a fact by Hermes and accepted by many persons."
Shelley expresses his joy at a decision of the Naples Constitutional
Government, referring to the basilisk:
... Be thou like the imperial basilisk,
Killing thy foe with unapparent wounds!
Gaze on oppression, till at that dread risk,
Aghast she pass from the earth's disk.
Fear not, but gaze, -for freemen mightier grow,
And slaves more feeble, gazing on their foe.
The basilisk and cockatrice are found not only in Europe but in North
Africa, and a similar dragon lairs in Iceland; called the skoffin, it
can only be killed by seeing another of its kind or (like the
werewolf), by being shot with a silver button engraved with the sign
of the Cross.
Today, however, the basilisk is usually depicted as a serpent or worm
with a comb, while the cockatrice is shown in its full winged and
crested splendour.
Hydra:
The hydra (Greek for "water serpent") or Excedra (from the Latin
Excedere "to outbid") is a multi-headed dragon who has appeared on
heraldic crests and whose relatives include the multi-headed Scylla
and the dragon Ladon, who guarded the golden apples.
It is not hard to envision why the hydra is a recurring image in
different cultures and their stories, for this dragon is justifiably
one of the most feared. Similar in appearance to a Western dragon with
two to four legs, the hydra is very large and usually earth-bound,
lacking wings. Though only a rare few can breathe fire, hydras make up
for this by their many heads which, should one be cut off, will
instantly be replaced with another two. The only way to stop this
process is to cauterise the wound immediately after cutting a hydra's
head off; a tactic the Greek Heracles (also Roman Hercules) employed
when fighting one such beast. All hydras are believed to have a
central, immortal head made of gold. Like the basilisk, the hydra also
has a noxious breath and acidic blood that can lay waste to the
surrounding area, which is most likely why they are found in swampy
regions. Usually these dragons go unchallenged for the few relics and
pieces of gold they guard, for their temperament is cruel and
unforgiving. Though originally from Greece, these dragons are said to
be bred in Turkey, and the crests along the back of their heads are
believed to resemble the "cap" worn by men of this region.
To take advantage of gullible travellers in past years, many fake
dragons were put together from different animal parts to be sold as
souvenirs. In January of 550 AD one such hydra "carcass" worth 6 000
duckats was brought from Turkey to Venice, later to be given to the
French king as a gift. Many years later another counterfeit,
nine-headed hydra with the heads and feet of a weasel, a snake's body
and tail stood on a church altar in Prague until it was stolen in
1648. The fake hydra was later sold between different owners for high
prices; it was only until the Swedish naturalist Linnaeus got hold of
the hydra that he proclaimed it to be a hoax.
Hydra, with feline-like heads.
Lindworm:
Similar in appearance to the European wyrm dragon, the lindworm or
"Lindworm Snake" is distinguished from its cousins by the single pair
of forelegs they possess on the upper half of their bodies. These
dragons are not to be confused with the tazelworm, which also have a
single pair of forelegs but are distinguished by their feline head.
The lindworm was written about in great detail by the explorer Marco
Polo, who was obviously quite taken with the creature.
With extremely good vision, the lindworm spies on prey from beneath
the streams it lives in, and will use its whip-like tail for defence
should any harm come its way. As they live in the water, it is highly
possible they have, in the past, been confused with sea snakes which
have bright and beautiful colours, something many dragons are
attributed with. However, this would only account for the smaller or
young lindworms, as adults grow to many metres in length and height-
to demonstrate their size, a large wooly rhinoceros skull discovered
in Austria in 1335 was originally believed to be that of a lindworm.
Lindworms live along the coastline or near the shore of European water
bodies, and their insatiable hunger for horse drives them to risk
their own life just to catch one. This illogical weakness is their
only downfall, as it makes them vulnerable and open for attack. They
are primarily Germanic dragons, though they are also said to live in
the mountain regions of Sweden, near rivers and have been sighted as
far as the Americas. With a predatory nature, lindworms will venture
inland to eat cattle and dig up corpses in churchyards, upholding
their self-sustained image as a creature of death, war and disease .
Lindworms are heraldic in nature, featuring in many old texts such as
the 15th century scrolls of George Ripley.
In Malaysia, stories that were investigated by explorer Stewart Wavell
in 1951 revealed that huge, golden serpents known locally as the ular
tedong or "giant serpents" occupied water bodies in the Pahang state.
With small, overlapping scales and rounded horns, speculated to have
nostrils at the end to allow them to breathe while remaining
submerged, these serpents bear similarities to dragons and
specifically, the lindworm, for both have striking, shining scales
and, more importantly, lair in water bodies. They are also believed to
be born a dull colour that eventually develops into the fully-fledged
golden luminescence of adulthood. Though the linkage is at best
tentative, it is interesting to keep in mind the similarities, as both
creatures are phenotypically the same. When observed, no further than
their necks or long, sinuous tails have been seen, although their
bodies are believed to broaden out to allow for limbs. Though the ular
tedong are theorised to be related to dinosaurs, it is not so hard to
conceive the dragon family would fit in that same spectrum.
Peluda:
As the only survivor of the Great Flood (aside from the animals
gathered on Noah's Ark), the peluda spends most of its time beside the
rivers of France, as a reminder to itself of its victory.
Coincidentally, a major river in the same region has been named
Peluda, perhaps after its local residents.
Capable of breathing fire and spitting a sticky, venomous acid at its
foes, the peluda is a fearless creature whose size was so great one
particular peluda in the river Huisne flooded the banks on either side
of the river every time it submerged. Lacking wings, the peluda is
earth-bound. However, the backs of these dragons are covered in
poisonous spines and shaggy green fur- these spines can literally
shoot out at anything that strays a little too close. The peluda has
four legs, a reptilian face and feet resembling those of a terrapin.
Ironically, the European dragons strength is the peluda's downfall;
the only weak spot of the peluda is its tail, which if cut off, kills
the dragon instantly
.
Puk:
Similar in physical makeup to the small dragonet, the puk lives around
residential areas and is considered lucky for it brings wealth to
wherever it lairs.
Salamander:
The small, four footed salamander (or salamandra) possesses the most
bizarre nature of all the dragons. Though usually diminutive in size,
some (extant, amphibious) salamanders have been reported to grow to an
incredible 2.4 m (8 ft) in length, though this is exceedingly rare.
Salamanders are very strong and untouchable by fire, and can usually
be found lairing at the foot of volcanoes or seeking out the forges of
blacksmiths. Because they extinguish fires, blacksmiths hunt these
creatures when sighted around their forge to ensure the protection of
their work. The salamander itself is spotted and frequently portrayed
in art with a line of stars down its back, and very cold- it is
believed they seek out the heat to ease this perpetual freeze.
The 16th century Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini wrote in the "Life
of Benvenuto Cellini" how, as a child, his father had spotted a
salamander in the fireplace one evening and excitedly pointed the
little dragon out to Cellini and his sister. After Cellini had had a
good look, his father boxed him over the ear but, while soothing his
child, explained; "My dear child, I do not give you that blow for any
fault you have committed, but that you may recollect that the little
creature you see in the fire is a salamander... "
The salamander is supposed to secrete a milky substance from its body,
which resists the fire; according to Aristotle and Pliny, the
salamander not only is immune to the flames but actively extinguishes
them. The substance secreted from the salamanders body is known as
"salamander's wool" a fire-resistant fabric that can be spun into
clothes or envelopes to protect valuable objects. Because of this,
Marco Polo once argued the salamander was not an animal but merely a
substance, however it is suspected this fabric was actually the
mineral asbestos, which was able to be sewn into cloth. The Emperor of
India, Prester John and Pope Alexander III were among a few to have
obtained a garment made from this precious substance. "This Salemandre
berith wulle, of which is made cloth and gyrdles that may not brenne
in the fyre.". When a salamander climbs a tree, poison leaks from its
skin and as the liquid seeps into the tree, the poison will infect the
fruit and kill those who eat it; similarly, a pig infected by the same
substance will live a normal life, but anyone who later eats the pig
will grow sick (prior to inevitable death, the skin of an infected
person develops a rash, shrivels, and their hair becomes thin and
falls out) and die. Salamanders can also infect water; 4 000 soldiers
and 2 000 horses in India led by Alexander the Great were believed to
have died after drinking from water that a salamander had fallen into.
The salamander was believed to take some time to coat itself with this
milky liquid; while hibernating during winter, salamanders are
vulnerable and have been captured while sleeping. One particular
salamander, having woken up only moments prior to being cast into a
fire, had only a limited time to properly protect itself. As a result,
the little dragon came out with a badly burnt tail and feet.
The salamander has been associated with witches, and the crackling of
fire was once feared to be the sound of a salamander casting a curse
over people and their land. The salamander was believed to be a
physical representation of the playful nature of fire to alchemists,
and this dragon was a recurring image in heraldry as a symbol of true
courage.
In "Night Thoughts", Dr Young compared a man not inspired by the
beauty of the night sky to a salamander unaffected by the flames:
O, what a genuis must inform the skies!
And is Lorenzo's salamander-heart
Cold and untouched amid these sacred fires?
The pyrallis (also pyragones or pyrausta) closely resembles the
salamander- insect-sized and with a chromatic, bronze sheen, the small
creatures resemble an insectoid dragon with four legs and filmy,
transparent wings. The pyrallis is native to Cyprus and like the
salamander, it dances in the heart of the burning fire, usually with
others of its kind. Unlike the salamander however, the pyrallis
depends directly on the fire for, should these tiny dragons stray too
far from the flames, they expire
.
Scytale:
Preferring to spend its days lounging beneath the sun, the scytale (or
scitalis) is a sluggish dragon famed for its hide. Its scales are
covered with beautiful, hypnotic markings that cause any onlooker to
stop and stare in wonder at the intricate designs patterned over its
back, to which it owes its name scytale, from scitulus, meaning
elegant. The scytales glowing skin is shed in winter to maintain the
burning light of its scales, to be replaced by vibrant new skin
colours and patterns that change annually, so that no two hides are
alike.
As it is very slow, the scytale relies on its beautiful colours to
attract prey; once it has ensnared a victim with its seductive
appearance it attacks with its hot bite that is so fiery anyone bitten
literally bursts into flames. On the scytale shedding its skin, Lucan
wrote on the Aphrodite of the dragon world:
And the Scytale herself, even now in the lands of the hoarfrost,
Is about to slough off her spot-speckled skin. Like the amphisbaena,
the scytale has also been sighted in the heat of North Africa, where
it prefers the warmer climate and can soak up ample sun.
Tazelworm:
With the body of a long worm and the head and forelegs (few have been
reported to have hindlegs also) of a cat, tazelworms (also spelt
tatzelworm) have a fierce personality, attacking anything that crosses
their path. Their scales are rumored to be so thick blades cannot
pierce their hide, and the acidic breath of a tazelworm is noxious and
lethal to other animals. Also known as the "clawed worm" or
Stollenwurm, they are serpentine in form with long coils that aid in
their supreme ability to jump metres in a single leap. Roughly 1.2-
1.5 m (4- 5 ft) long, these dragons feast on smaller prey, jumping
down at them from trees.
Tazelworms generally prefer to live in dark holes in higher altitudes,
such as mountain tops, and some have been rumoured to be lairing in
the Swiss Alps. Due to their alpine habitat, tazelworms are also
called the "Tunnel Worm" and "Mountain Stump".
Tazelworm sightings were reported in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
in the 1920s, and the most recent tazelworm sighting occurred in 1954
in Italy. A few Sicilian farmers claim to have killed the tazelworm as
it had been eating their stock and was seen as a danger to their
livelihood.
In their most primal form, the tazelworm is held in great fear for the
speed at which they can strike from an unseen place, and there is a
strong sense of mystique surrounding the beast, for the dragon borders
on zoological possibility and superstitious myth.
Lil Stinker
"just havin' fun!"
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