WHAT IS A DRAGON?
In modern times the concept of the Dragon has become extremely stereotyped. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word Dragon?
Most likely it will be the winged, fire-breathing terror of European myth. But that is not all a Dragon can be, as we shall see.
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In many cultures Snakes and Dragons are intertwined...
Wurms or Wyrms are reminiscent of giant snakes. These giant Wurms, or Wyrms are also known as Serpent Dragons.
LINDWORMS:
The Lindworm or Lindwurm is a Wurm with a pair of
wings. Lindworm (cognate with Old Norse linnormr 'constrictor snake', Norwegian linnorm 'dragon', Swedish, lindorm, Danish, lindorm 'serpent', German Lindwurm 'dragon') in British heraldry, is a technical term for a wingless bipedal Dragon often with a venomous bite. In Norwegian heraldry a lindorm is the same as the wyvern in British heraldry.
The most famous lindworm is Jörmungandr... also known as the Midgard Serpent (Old Norse: Midgarðsormr), or World Serpent, is a sea serpent, the middle child of the giantess Angrboða and Loki. According to the Prose Edda, Odin took Loki's three children by Angrboða, the wolf Fenrir, Hel and Jörmungandr, and tossed Jörmungandr into the great ocean that encircles Midgard.The serpent grew so large that he was able to surround the earth and grasp his own tail. As a result, he received the name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent. When he lets go, the world will end.
Jörmungandr's arch-enemy is the God Thor. It is an example of an ouroboros.
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Wurms or Wyrms are reminiscent of giant snakes. These giant Wurms, or Wyrms are also known as Serpent Dragons.
LINDWORMS:
The Lindworm or Lindwurm is a Wurm with a pair of
wings. Lindworm (cognate with Old Norse linnormr 'constrictor snake', Norwegian linnorm 'dragon', Swedish, lindorm, Danish, lindorm 'serpent', German Lindwurm 'dragon') in British heraldry, is a technical term for a wingless bipedal Dragon often with a venomous bite. In Norwegian heraldry a lindorm is the same as the wyvern in British heraldry.
The most famous lindworm is Jörmungandr... also known as the Midgard Serpent (Old Norse: Midgarðsormr), or World Serpent, is a sea serpent, the middle child of the giantess Angrboða and Loki. According to the Prose Edda, Odin took Loki's three children by Angrboða, the wolf Fenrir, Hel and Jörmungandr, and tossed Jörmungandr into the great ocean that encircles Midgard.The serpent grew so large that he was able to surround the earth and grasp his own tail. As a result, he received the name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent. When he lets go, the world will end.
Jörmungandr's arch-enemy is the God Thor. It is an example of an ouroboros.
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In other cases Dragons and lizards are intertwined.
Most Dragon have been depicted as composites of other animals. They may have a snake's body and a lion's claws. They may have the wings of an eagle or a bat. They could even be multi-headed like the Hydra, or they could shape-shift, using various forms...
The Dragon has been the source of many creation and destruction myths since the beginning of time. If nothing else, this reflects the tremendous power associated with it. It has fired the imaginations of people in both the East and the West. Of all of the Creatures who reside in the Faerie Realm, it is the one that still inspires great awe & great fear, inspite of its general benevolence.
Most Dragon have been depicted as composites of other animals. They may have a snake's body and a lion's claws. They may have the wings of an eagle or a bat. They could even be multi-headed like the Hydra, or they could shape-shift, using various forms...
The Dragon has been the source of many creation and destruction myths since the beginning of time. If nothing else, this reflects the tremendous power associated with it. It has fired the imaginations of people in both the East and the West. Of all of the Creatures who reside in the Faerie Realm, it is the one that still inspires great awe & great fear, inspite of its general benevolence.
EUROPEAN DRAGONS
Dragons are a very common theme in European myth and legend.
Dragons are especially prominent in heraldry:
Heraldry is a system of blazoning arms onto shields and armor to ascertain the allegiance of the bearer. The mythical dragon is represented in heraldic art with the huge body of the reptile saurian type covered with impenetrable mail of plates and scales, a row of formidable spines extending from his head to his tail, which ends in a great and deadly sting; his enormous jaws, gaping and bristling with hideous fangs, belch forth sparks and flame; his round luminous eyes seem to shoot gleaming fire; from his nose issues a dreadful spike. He is furnished with sharp-pointed ears and a forked tongue, four sturdy legs terminating in eagle's feet strongly webbed, clawing and clutching at his prey. Great leathern bat-like wings armed with sharp hook's points, complete his equipment. The wings are always "endorsed," that is, elevated and back to back.
The heraldic Dragon is most often associated with King Arthur and was likely created by him. The Arthurian Dragon has four legs; the ribbed wings of a bat; the belly of a crocodile; eagle talons; and a serpentine tail.
The heraldic Wyvern looks much like the Arthurian Dragon, except that it lacks front legs. Other heraldic Dragons have a wolflike head, the body of a serpent, eagle talons, bat-like wings, and a barbed tongue and tail.
In earlier times most European Dragons were actually symbolic of good things, much as their Asian cousins were and are. However, in medieval times the Dragon became symbolic of all things evil. It represented the devil, hell, sin, darkness, destruction, war, greed, and so on.
Dragons are especially prominent in heraldry:
Heraldry is a system of blazoning arms onto shields and armor to ascertain the allegiance of the bearer. The mythical dragon is represented in heraldic art with the huge body of the reptile saurian type covered with impenetrable mail of plates and scales, a row of formidable spines extending from his head to his tail, which ends in a great and deadly sting; his enormous jaws, gaping and bristling with hideous fangs, belch forth sparks and flame; his round luminous eyes seem to shoot gleaming fire; from his nose issues a dreadful spike. He is furnished with sharp-pointed ears and a forked tongue, four sturdy legs terminating in eagle's feet strongly webbed, clawing and clutching at his prey. Great leathern bat-like wings armed with sharp hook's points, complete his equipment. The wings are always "endorsed," that is, elevated and back to back.
The heraldic Dragon is most often associated with King Arthur and was likely created by him. The Arthurian Dragon has four legs; the ribbed wings of a bat; the belly of a crocodile; eagle talons; and a serpentine tail.
The heraldic Wyvern looks much like the Arthurian Dragon, except that it lacks front legs. Other heraldic Dragons have a wolflike head, the body of a serpent, eagle talons, bat-like wings, and a barbed tongue and tail.
In earlier times most European Dragons were actually symbolic of good things, much as their Asian cousins were and are. However, in medieval times the Dragon became symbolic of all things evil. It represented the devil, hell, sin, darkness, destruction, war, greed, and so on.
Arms of the City of London
Two dragons are the supporters of the arms of the City of London, the crest a dragon's sinister wing. They are thus blazoned: Argent a cross gules, in the first quarter, a sword in pale point upwards of the last. Supporters, on either side a dragon with wings elevated and addorsed, argent, and charged on the wing with a cross gules. The crest is a dragon's sinister wing charged with a similar cross.
Two dragons are the supporters of the arms of the City of London, the crest a dragon's sinister wing. They are thus blazoned: Argent a cross gules, in the first quarter, a sword in pale point upwards of the last. Supporters, on either side a dragon with wings elevated and addorsed, argent, and charged on the wing with a cross gules. The crest is a dragon's sinister wing charged with a similar cross.
Germanic Europe
The most famous dragons in Norse and Germanic mythology are:
The most famous dragons in Norse and Germanic mythology are:
- Níðhöggr, who gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the World tree;
- Jörmungandr, Miðgarðsormurinn (Icelandic), Midgårdsormen (Swedish and Danish), Midgardsormen (Norwegian), the giant sea serpent which surrounds Miðgarð, the world of mortal men;
- Fafnir, which had turned into a dragon because of his greed, and was killed by Sigurd;
- Lindworms, monstrous serpents of Germanic myth and lore, often interchangeable with dragons;
- Landvættur, the benevolent dragon with whom King Harald Bluetooth's servant met in Vopnafjörður according to Heimskringla, and also depicted on the Icelandic Coat of Arms;
- The dragon encountered by Beowulf.
Celtic EuropeVikings painted Dragons on their shields and carved Dragon heads on the prows of their longships.
Heraldry:
The Welsh flag, showing a red dragon passant
Though Somerset has traditionally had a red dragon as an emblem, the red dragon is more commonly associated with Wales, as its national flag features a red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch). This may originate in Arthurian Legend where Myrddin, employed by Gwrtheyrn, had a vision of the red dragon (representing the Britons) and the white dragon (representing the invading Saxons) fighting beneath Dinas Emrys. This particular legend also features in the Mabinogion in the story of Lludd and Llefelys. The legendary house of Pendragon and Celtic Britain in general have become associated with the Welsh dragon standard after the fact.
Heraldry:
The Welsh flag, showing a red dragon passant
Though Somerset has traditionally had a red dragon as an emblem, the red dragon is more commonly associated with Wales, as its national flag features a red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch). This may originate in Arthurian Legend where Myrddin, employed by Gwrtheyrn, had a vision of the red dragon (representing the Britons) and the white dragon (representing the invading Saxons) fighting beneath Dinas Emrys. This particular legend also features in the Mabinogion in the story of Lludd and Llefelys. The legendary house of Pendragon and Celtic Britain in general have become associated with the Welsh dragon standard after the fact.
In earlier times most European Dragons were
actually symbolic of good things, much as their Asian
cousins were and are. However, in medieval times the
Dragon became symbolic of all things evil. It was during
time that the Christian Church began to demonize dragons.
As they did with many Pagan Gods & Goddesses, they
used the Pagan's belief of Dragons to symbolize their own
beliefs. Using the Dragon as a symbol of Evil.
To the Christians, the Dragon represented
the devil, hell, sin, darkness, destruction, war,
greed, and so on...
actually symbolic of good things, much as their Asian
cousins were and are. However, in medieval times the
Dragon became symbolic of all things evil. It was during
time that the Christian Church began to demonize dragons.
As they did with many Pagan Gods & Goddesses, they
used the Pagan's belief of Dragons to symbolize their own
beliefs. Using the Dragon as a symbol of Evil.
To the Christians, the Dragon represented
the devil, hell, sin, darkness, destruction, war,
greed, and so on...
Below is a short list of Different types of Western Dragons
Aitvaras: A Lithuanian house Spirit/ Dragon
Aitvaras is a household spirit in Lithuanian mythology. Other names are Kaukas, Pūkis, Damavykas, Sparyžius, Koklikas, Gausinėlis, Žaltvikšas, and Spirukas. Aitvaras is identical to the Latvian Pūkis. An Aitvaras looks like a white or black rooster with a fiery tail (meteorite). If the Aitvaras dies, he becomes a spark.
In many cases, this Lithuanian creature is described as having the appearance of a rooster while indoors and the appearance of a dragon outdoors. An Aitvaras will lodge itself in a house and will most often refuse to leave. It brings both good and bad luck to the inhabitants of the house. Aitvaras provide their adopted home with stolen gold and grain, often getting the household into trouble. According to many, an Aitvaras can be purchased from the devil - the price being that person's soul.
This spirit was variously described as a cockerel or as a flying dragon with the head of a snake and a fiery tail. Such a bird can be obtained in exchange for giving one's soul to the Devil or it can be reared from an egg laid by a 9-15 year- old cockerel(Rooster)
Fed on omelettes, the bird can increase its owner's wealth by stealing food and money.
A Lithuanian Dragon that can shapeshift into a black cat, as rooster, or a dragon
It was seen by some as a source of good luck and by others as a demonic being.
The Aitvaras would attach itself to a family or person and bring good luck and fortune to the household. Unfortunately,
many people viewed association with the
Aitvaras as a form of sorcery or witchcraft.
Aitvaras is a household spirit in Lithuanian mythology. Other names are Kaukas, Pūkis, Damavykas, Sparyžius, Koklikas, Gausinėlis, Žaltvikšas, and Spirukas. Aitvaras is identical to the Latvian Pūkis. An Aitvaras looks like a white or black rooster with a fiery tail (meteorite). If the Aitvaras dies, he becomes a spark.
In many cases, this Lithuanian creature is described as having the appearance of a rooster while indoors and the appearance of a dragon outdoors. An Aitvaras will lodge itself in a house and will most often refuse to leave. It brings both good and bad luck to the inhabitants of the house. Aitvaras provide their adopted home with stolen gold and grain, often getting the household into trouble. According to many, an Aitvaras can be purchased from the devil - the price being that person's soul.
This spirit was variously described as a cockerel or as a flying dragon with the head of a snake and a fiery tail. Such a bird can be obtained in exchange for giving one's soul to the Devil or it can be reared from an egg laid by a 9-15 year- old cockerel(Rooster)
Fed on omelettes, the bird can increase its owner's wealth by stealing food and money.
A Lithuanian Dragon that can shapeshift into a black cat, as rooster, or a dragon
It was seen by some as a source of good luck and by others as a demonic being.
The Aitvaras would attach itself to a family or person and bring good luck and fortune to the household. Unfortunately,
many people viewed association with the
Aitvaras as a form of sorcery or witchcraft.
Alklha (or Alicha, Arakho)Alklha was the great dragon of the cosmos for the Buryat people of ancient Siberia.
In the Buriat mythology of Siberia, this Dragon is so huge that its black wings, when spread across the sky, allow no light to reach the Earth. Periodically it attempts to devour the
sun or the moon, causing an eclipse until the heat forces it to disgorge them. The craters on the moon are the marks of its teeth.
In the Buriat mythology of Siberia, this Dragon is so huge that its black wings, when spread across the sky, allow no light to reach the Earth. Periodically it attempts to devour the
sun or the moon, causing an eclipse until the heat forces it to disgorge them. The craters on the moon are the marks of its teeth.
- Eastern European (culture)
- Flying (attribute)
- Reptilian (attribute)
- Deadly (behaviour)
- Dragons (common type)
Amphitere
This is an unusual Dragon in that is is more of a legless winged serpent with a dragon-like head.
Usually found in Wales and England... as well as in the Americas, although the description varies somewhat.
European description:They have eyes like a peacock’s tail, and wings that sparkle or glitter. The wings may be feathered, or membranous like a bat’s. Amphiteres are 6–9 feet long and covered in heavy scales.
South American description: An amphithere is a South-American winged serpent deity. It is believed that their temples were created as shrines and abodes for the Amphitheres.
The main differences between the classic European Dragon and the Amphithere are the Amphithere's serpentine body and feathered wings. It grows to be about 45 feet long and lacks appendages of any kind. It kills by strangulation or burning. Its gaze is hypnotic, so observers of this magnificent beast had to avert their gaze from Its eyes. They are said to inspire fear in those who see them, but are in fact, rather poor fighters, preferring to avoid conflict. There is also a North-American species called Draco Americanus Incognito which is said to have moth or butterfly-like wings.
Unlike most dragons, Amphitheres have feathers, not scales. They also have no legs. This makes them appear very slender and elegant looking. They are also one of the very few dragons that can hover in mid-air. They live in the deep, dark jungles of central and South America. Amphitheres are also sometimes called "Quetzal" or "Quetzalcoatl" (pronounced KWET-Zuhll and KWET-Zuh-coat-uhll). They can be many colors like green, gold, red, purple, yellow, orange, or even rainbow. It is also said that the tail feather of an Amphithere is the softest material on earth!
Quetzalcoatlis a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "feathered serpent" The worship of a feathered serpent is first documented in Teotihuacan in the first century BCE or first century CE.
Among the Aztecs, whose beliefs are the best-documented in the historical sources, Quetzalcoatl was related to Gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. He was also the patron God of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and knowledge.
They were reputed to possess great wisdom and knowledge, as well as some associated power, such as the ability to hypnotize. Many also guarded hordes of treasure, but, unlike typical treasure-hording dragons, they took this task
out of obligation rather than out of a liking of shiny things. It was said that armed men would grow from the teeth of an Amphitere planted in fertile ground, and would be absolutely loyal to the sower.
This is an unusual Dragon in that is is more of a legless winged serpent with a dragon-like head.
Usually found in Wales and England... as well as in the Americas, although the description varies somewhat.
European description:They have eyes like a peacock’s tail, and wings that sparkle or glitter. The wings may be feathered, or membranous like a bat’s. Amphiteres are 6–9 feet long and covered in heavy scales.
South American description: An amphithere is a South-American winged serpent deity. It is believed that their temples were created as shrines and abodes for the Amphitheres.
The main differences between the classic European Dragon and the Amphithere are the Amphithere's serpentine body and feathered wings. It grows to be about 45 feet long and lacks appendages of any kind. It kills by strangulation or burning. Its gaze is hypnotic, so observers of this magnificent beast had to avert their gaze from Its eyes. They are said to inspire fear in those who see them, but are in fact, rather poor fighters, preferring to avoid conflict. There is also a North-American species called Draco Americanus Incognito which is said to have moth or butterfly-like wings.
Unlike most dragons, Amphitheres have feathers, not scales. They also have no legs. This makes them appear very slender and elegant looking. They are also one of the very few dragons that can hover in mid-air. They live in the deep, dark jungles of central and South America. Amphitheres are also sometimes called "Quetzal" or "Quetzalcoatl" (pronounced KWET-Zuhll and KWET-Zuh-coat-uhll). They can be many colors like green, gold, red, purple, yellow, orange, or even rainbow. It is also said that the tail feather of an Amphithere is the softest material on earth!
Quetzalcoatlis a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "feathered serpent" The worship of a feathered serpent is first documented in Teotihuacan in the first century BCE or first century CE.
Among the Aztecs, whose beliefs are the best-documented in the historical sources, Quetzalcoatl was related to Gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. He was also the patron God of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and knowledge.
They were reputed to possess great wisdom and knowledge, as well as some associated power, such as the ability to hypnotize. Many also guarded hordes of treasure, but, unlike typical treasure-hording dragons, they took this task
out of obligation rather than out of a liking of shiny things. It was said that armed men would grow from the teeth of an Amphitere planted in fertile ground, and would be absolutely loyal to the sower.
THE WYVERN
The wyvern resembles the true-dragon in many ways. It is a reptilian, winged monster that brings death and destruction. It fulfils the same roll in legends as its relative - a guardian of treasure, and an obstacle to be defeated by a hero. The main difference between the two creatures is that the wyvern has only two legs, as opposed to the dragons four. Many wyverns sport scorpion-like stings in their tails. They have a bats wings, and a snake-like head and neck. The legs are eagle-like, with curved-talons. Like the true dragon, the wyvern’s head is often furnished with horns or a crest. Wyverns were generally smaller than true dragons. Most wyverns flew, but some were earthbound and crawled despite having wings.
A wyvern (/ˈwaɪvərn/ weye-vərn), sometimes spelled wivern, is a legendary winged creature with a dragon's head, which may be said to breathe fire or possess a venomous bite, a reptilian body, two legs, and a barbed tail. A sea-dwelling variant, termed the sea-wyvern, has a fish tail in place of a barbed dragon's tail. The wyvern in its various forms is important to heraldry, frequently appears as a mascot of schools and athletic teams (chiefly in the United States and United Kingdom), and occasionally appears in medieval and modern European and British literature as well as a multitude of video games.
Wyverns were believed to be disease carriers, spreading pestilence wherever they appeared. Plague outbreaks and illnesses of both humans and livestock were blamed upon them. Some wyverns breathed fire in the fashion of true-dragons, while others spewed forth a noxious poison gas.
The wyvern resembles the true-dragon in many ways. It is a reptilian, winged monster that brings death and destruction. It fulfils the same roll in legends as its relative - a guardian of treasure, and an obstacle to be defeated by a hero. The main difference between the two creatures is that the wyvern has only two legs, as opposed to the dragons four. Many wyverns sport scorpion-like stings in their tails. They have a bats wings, and a snake-like head and neck. The legs are eagle-like, with curved-talons. Like the true dragon, the wyvern’s head is often furnished with horns or a crest. Wyverns were generally smaller than true dragons. Most wyverns flew, but some were earthbound and crawled despite having wings.
A wyvern (/ˈwaɪvərn/ weye-vərn), sometimes spelled wivern, is a legendary winged creature with a dragon's head, which may be said to breathe fire or possess a venomous bite, a reptilian body, two legs, and a barbed tail. A sea-dwelling variant, termed the sea-wyvern, has a fish tail in place of a barbed dragon's tail. The wyvern in its various forms is important to heraldry, frequently appears as a mascot of schools and athletic teams (chiefly in the United States and United Kingdom), and occasionally appears in medieval and modern European and British literature as well as a multitude of video games.
Wyverns were believed to be disease carriers, spreading pestilence wherever they appeared. Plague outbreaks and illnesses of both humans and livestock were blamed upon them. Some wyverns breathed fire in the fashion of true-dragons, while others spewed forth a noxious poison gas.
THE GWIBER
The gwiber is a legless winged serpent. In appearance it is half way between the wyvern and the worm. The word gwiber is a corruption of viper. Most of the British winged serpent stories come from Wales. In Wales, gwibers actually outnumber the more familiar type of dragon that we see even today on the Welsh flag. Gwibers did not usually breathe fire, but they had a highly venomous bite.
The Welsh had some strange folklore pertaining to the genesis of the gwiber. It was believed that serpents loved milk, and would - given the chance - suckle from cows. Women’s milk was favoured even more, but if an ordinary snake drank the milk of a woman it would grow into a gwiber. Nursing-women had to be careful not to let any of their milk fall to the floor where a snake might lap it up, or to fall asleep on the ground where a snake might reach their breasts.
Another strange quirk of Welsh gwiber tales is that they are never killed by a knight or any sort of nobleman. It is always a shepherd, farm hand, or some other peasant-lad who puts paid to the gwiber with his wits.
The gwiber is a legless winged serpent. In appearance it is half way between the wyvern and the worm. The word gwiber is a corruption of viper. Most of the British winged serpent stories come from Wales. In Wales, gwibers actually outnumber the more familiar type of dragon that we see even today on the Welsh flag. Gwibers did not usually breathe fire, but they had a highly venomous bite.
The Welsh had some strange folklore pertaining to the genesis of the gwiber. It was believed that serpents loved milk, and would - given the chance - suckle from cows. Women’s milk was favoured even more, but if an ordinary snake drank the milk of a woman it would grow into a gwiber. Nursing-women had to be careful not to let any of their milk fall to the floor where a snake might lap it up, or to fall asleep on the ground where a snake might reach their breasts.
Another strange quirk of Welsh gwiber tales is that they are never killed by a knight or any sort of nobleman. It is always a shepherd, farm hand, or some other peasant-lad who puts paid to the gwiber with his wits.
THE BASILISK OR COCKATRICE
Of all the British dragons the basilisk was the smallest, most being only a few feet long at their maximum. It was believed that occasionally - in old age - a rooster could lay an egg. If such an uncommon egg were to be incubated by a snake or toad, and successfully hatch, then a basilisk would emerge.
What the basilisk lacked in size it made up for in deadliness. Its death-dealing powers came not from fiery-breath or tooth and claw but from its withering glare. Any creature that caught the eyes of the basilisk would fall dead. The one exception to this was the weasel. It was believed that God never created a bane without creating some cure for it, like the stinging nettle and the dock-leaf. The dragons own gaze was as lethal to itself as to any other creature. Hence, its own reflection would kill it stone-dead! Equally, for some cryptic reason, the sound of a cock crowing at dawn would also kill the basilisk.
The basilisk usually took the form of a small snake with a crest resembling a rooster’s comb, or a crown. In later stories, they looked like a horned rooster with the tail of a snake. In this form it was referred to as a cockatrice.
Of all the British dragons the basilisk was the smallest, most being only a few feet long at their maximum. It was believed that occasionally - in old age - a rooster could lay an egg. If such an uncommon egg were to be incubated by a snake or toad, and successfully hatch, then a basilisk would emerge.
What the basilisk lacked in size it made up for in deadliness. Its death-dealing powers came not from fiery-breath or tooth and claw but from its withering glare. Any creature that caught the eyes of the basilisk would fall dead. The one exception to this was the weasel. It was believed that God never created a bane without creating some cure for it, like the stinging nettle and the dock-leaf. The dragons own gaze was as lethal to itself as to any other creature. Hence, its own reflection would kill it stone-dead! Equally, for some cryptic reason, the sound of a cock crowing at dawn would also kill the basilisk.
The basilisk usually took the form of a small snake with a crest resembling a rooster’s comb, or a crown. In later stories, they looked like a horned rooster with the tail of a snake. In this form it was referred to as a cockatrice.
Balaur
A large Dragon of Romanian folklore
and fairy tales, it has fins, feet, and multiple serpent
heads (usually three, sometimes seven or even 12). It
represents evil and must be defeated by Fãt-Frumos
in order to release the Princess. The term is now applied
to a harmless Romanian snake, Coluber jugularis balaur.
Bolla (or Bullar)
A serpentine monster in the folklore of southern Albania. It has four legs, small wings, and faceted silver eyes. When it wakes on St George’s Day (April 23) from its year-long hibernation, it devours the first human it sees. After 12 years, it metamorphoses into a horrific, fire-breathing flying Dragon with nine tongues called Kulshedra.
Sometimes described as an immense hairy woman with pendulous breasts, Kulshedra causes drought, requiring
human sacrifice in propitiation.
Carthiginian Serpent
The Roman army confronted this giant Serpent-Dragon along the Bagrada River. It was about 120 feet long and dwelled in the river. The serpent was slain by the army, and the skin of the giant beast kept in the temple on Capitol Hill
until about 133 BCE, after which it disappeared.
Chudo-Yudo
A monstrous, multiheaded, fire-breathing Dragon of Russian folklore. Considered the controller of the waters, it was propitiated at times of drought. Its mother is the wicked Witch, Baba- Yaga, and its brother is Koshchei the Deathless.
Cirein Croin—These great Sea-Serpents of Scottish myth are so large that they can swallow whales whole. They have greyish scales and a great crest upon their heads. Indeed, Cirein Croin means “Grey Crest.”
Dahak
In the Zoroastrian mythology of Persia, this is an evil three-headed Dragon determined to destroy all that is worthy in the world. Its body is composed of lizards and scorpions. Chained beneath a mountain by the hero Thraotona (in some versions, Atar), it will break free at the end of time and wreak havoc upon the Earth. In Islamic mythology, this creature is called
Dabbat or Dabbatu ‘L-Ard.+
Derketo A whale-monster of Babylonian myth with the foreparts of a Dragon. It was created by the Goddess Ishtar, and its birth caused the great flood.
Y Ddraig Goch
The Red Dragon of Wales, national emblem of the country. Its antagonist is Gwiber (“Viper”), a winged white Dragon.
Dragon of Ladon
A scaly monstrosity with 100 heads, it was placed by the goddess Hera in the Garden of the Hesperides to guard the sacred golden apples of immortality. Heracles killed it during his 11th Labor, and Hera subsequently placed it in the heavens as the constellation Draco.
Fafnir
An evil wingless Dragon of Norse and Teutonic mythology. Starting life as a greedy dwarf, he was metamorphosed into a hideous Dragon to guard his stolen hoard of cursed gold. Fafnir was killed by the hero Sigfreid (or Sigurd), who dug a trench
across the Dragon’s path, hid within, and thrust his sword up into the monster’s heart when Fafnir passed over. Later, cooking the dragon’s heart over a fire, the hero’s hand was burned by a splash of blood. As he licked the burn, the taste of
the dragon’s blood endowed Sigfreid with the understanding of the speech of animals, whereby he learned of a treacherous plot against his life. This tale is told in the Teutonic saga, Das Nibelungenlied.
(Wagner’s opera, “The Ring of the Nibelung,” was based in part on the original epic poem.)
Gargouille (or Guivre)
A great Dragon that lived in the marshes of the Seine River and ravaged the countryside around the town of Rouen, France.
Associated with woodlands, rivers, streams, and deep wells, it was particularly noted for causing waterspouts and upsetting boats to drown and devour the boaters and fishermen. The Guivre is especially toxic; wherever one dwells so also dwells death and destruction. On an interesting note, the mere sight of a naked human is enough to scare the wits out of the Gargouille. The original Gargouille was slain in the 7th century by St Romain, then Bishop of Rouen. He tied two criminals to stakes to bait the Dragon, and when it appeared, he transfixed it with his crucifix, tied his bishop’s stole around its neck, and led it docilely into Rouen, where it was killed by the townsfolk. From that time on, all monstrous building decorations, antefixes, and waterspouts have been called Gargoyles.
Goryschche (from Russian, gora, “mountain”)
An immense, 12-headed female Dragon of Russian folklore, she stole hundreds of young men and women to feed her monstrous brood. The hero Dobrynya found her lair when the Dragon was out and killed her offspring. Goryschche pursued him, and in the ensuing
A large Dragon of Romanian folklore
and fairy tales, it has fins, feet, and multiple serpent
heads (usually three, sometimes seven or even 12). It
represents evil and must be defeated by Fãt-Frumos
in order to release the Princess. The term is now applied
to a harmless Romanian snake, Coluber jugularis balaur.
Bolla (or Bullar)
A serpentine monster in the folklore of southern Albania. It has four legs, small wings, and faceted silver eyes. When it wakes on St George’s Day (April 23) from its year-long hibernation, it devours the first human it sees. After 12 years, it metamorphoses into a horrific, fire-breathing flying Dragon with nine tongues called Kulshedra.
Sometimes described as an immense hairy woman with pendulous breasts, Kulshedra causes drought, requiring
human sacrifice in propitiation.
Carthiginian Serpent
The Roman army confronted this giant Serpent-Dragon along the Bagrada River. It was about 120 feet long and dwelled in the river. The serpent was slain by the army, and the skin of the giant beast kept in the temple on Capitol Hill
until about 133 BCE, after which it disappeared.
Chudo-Yudo
A monstrous, multiheaded, fire-breathing Dragon of Russian folklore. Considered the controller of the waters, it was propitiated at times of drought. Its mother is the wicked Witch, Baba- Yaga, and its brother is Koshchei the Deathless.
Cirein Croin—These great Sea-Serpents of Scottish myth are so large that they can swallow whales whole. They have greyish scales and a great crest upon their heads. Indeed, Cirein Croin means “Grey Crest.”
Dahak
In the Zoroastrian mythology of Persia, this is an evil three-headed Dragon determined to destroy all that is worthy in the world. Its body is composed of lizards and scorpions. Chained beneath a mountain by the hero Thraotona (in some versions, Atar), it will break free at the end of time and wreak havoc upon the Earth. In Islamic mythology, this creature is called
Dabbat or Dabbatu ‘L-Ard.+
Derketo A whale-monster of Babylonian myth with the foreparts of a Dragon. It was created by the Goddess Ishtar, and its birth caused the great flood.
Y Ddraig Goch
The Red Dragon of Wales, national emblem of the country. Its antagonist is Gwiber (“Viper”), a winged white Dragon.
Dragon of Ladon
A scaly monstrosity with 100 heads, it was placed by the goddess Hera in the Garden of the Hesperides to guard the sacred golden apples of immortality. Heracles killed it during his 11th Labor, and Hera subsequently placed it in the heavens as the constellation Draco.
Fafnir
An evil wingless Dragon of Norse and Teutonic mythology. Starting life as a greedy dwarf, he was metamorphosed into a hideous Dragon to guard his stolen hoard of cursed gold. Fafnir was killed by the hero Sigfreid (or Sigurd), who dug a trench
across the Dragon’s path, hid within, and thrust his sword up into the monster’s heart when Fafnir passed over. Later, cooking the dragon’s heart over a fire, the hero’s hand was burned by a splash of blood. As he licked the burn, the taste of
the dragon’s blood endowed Sigfreid with the understanding of the speech of animals, whereby he learned of a treacherous plot against his life. This tale is told in the Teutonic saga, Das Nibelungenlied.
(Wagner’s opera, “The Ring of the Nibelung,” was based in part on the original epic poem.)
Gargouille (or Guivre)
A great Dragon that lived in the marshes of the Seine River and ravaged the countryside around the town of Rouen, France.
Associated with woodlands, rivers, streams, and deep wells, it was particularly noted for causing waterspouts and upsetting boats to drown and devour the boaters and fishermen. The Guivre is especially toxic; wherever one dwells so also dwells death and destruction. On an interesting note, the mere sight of a naked human is enough to scare the wits out of the Gargouille. The original Gargouille was slain in the 7th century by St Romain, then Bishop of Rouen. He tied two criminals to stakes to bait the Dragon, and when it appeared, he transfixed it with his crucifix, tied his bishop’s stole around its neck, and led it docilely into Rouen, where it was killed by the townsfolk. From that time on, all monstrous building decorations, antefixes, and waterspouts have been called Gargoyles.
Goryschche (from Russian, gora, “mountain”)
An immense, 12-headed female Dragon of Russian folklore, she stole hundreds of young men and women to feed her monstrous brood. The hero Dobrynya found her lair when the Dragon was out and killed her offspring. Goryschche pursued him, and in the ensuing
Information has been gathered from several different sources.
'A Wizards Bestiary' by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart & Ash Dekirk (paperback) http://www.mythicalcreatureslist.com/mythical-creature/Alklha#sthash.Z2h72VKm.dpuf)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatl
http://www.mythologydictionary.com/aitvaras-mythology.html
http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Amphithere
http://theworldofdragons14.weebly.com/amphithere.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/legends/british-dragon-gazetteer.htmlhttp://www.celticcallings.com/resources/myth/myths_and_legends.htm
http://faeriesdragonsspaceships.blogspot.com/2011/06/stuff-ya-didnt-know-friday-alklha.html
http://www.sacred-texts.com/etc/ddl/ddl01.htm
http://dragondreaming.wordpress.com/european-dragons/
The Artists for the artwork is linked to each pictures, I linked to artist when possible, and to the site where I found the picture when the artist was not listed.
'A Wizards Bestiary' by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart & Ash Dekirk (paperback) http://www.mythicalcreatureslist.com/mythical-creature/Alklha#sthash.Z2h72VKm.dpuf)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatl
http://www.mythologydictionary.com/aitvaras-mythology.html
http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Amphithere
http://theworldofdragons14.weebly.com/amphithere.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/legends/british-dragon-gazetteer.htmlhttp://www.celticcallings.com/resources/myth/myths_and_legends.htm
http://faeriesdragonsspaceships.blogspot.com/2011/06/stuff-ya-didnt-know-friday-alklha.html
http://www.sacred-texts.com/etc/ddl/ddl01.htm
http://dragondreaming.wordpress.com/european-dragons/
The Artists for the artwork is linked to each pictures, I linked to artist when possible, and to the site where I found the picture when the artist was not listed.