dragon (drag'-on) n. a fabulous winged reptile represented as breathing out fire and smoke.

Dragons and similar mythical beasts are part of folklore or written tradition in an wide range of cultures. Chinese traditions of dragons go back over three millennia; ancient Greek myths have their dragons, as do Norse, European and American. In most cultures the dragon is almost always the embodiment of evil. A powerful beast to be vanquished by the inferior, but resourceful human hero.

In particular in Babylonian, Egyptian, classical and Jewish myths dragons were destructive and symbolised chaos, while Christianity identified the dragon with the devil.

To balance this there are cultures that have benevolent dragons. The Japanese imperial house traces its roots from the daughter of the Dragon King of the Sea. Chinese dragons have always been regarded as guardian. The dragons in Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon myths were the guardians of the dead, protecting the the grave mounds of kings and heroes which often contained large amounts treasure.

The dragon was the corporeal manifestation of evil and embodied everything that George pledged to confront and conquer, and George prepared for battle. During the confrontation George became hypnotized by the dragons eyes which glowed and dazzled him, George confused by these eyes drew back his lance and plunged it into the centre of these unblinking orbs. The terrible scream that came from the dragon told George that the battle was over and that he was victorious.

After beheading the dragon he bid farewell to the people of Silene and rode away, shortly to become a Christian martyr. It was many centuries later during the crusades that he was adopted as the patron saint of England.

The Dragonet of Mount Pilatus

Dragons are normally thought of as large creatures but the legends do not always depict them so.

The dragonet of Mount Pilatus was a creature that besieged the town of Wilser in Switzerland. Its breath was of flame and it charred homes, people and livestock alike. Winckelriedt was a man banished from Wilser due to an act of manslaughter, but due to their desperate need he was told that if he defeated the monster all his land would be returned to him.

Upon climbing the mountain Winckelriedt was confronted with the beast. No larger than a man it had a long body with bat-like wings and eyes that glowed in the shadows. During the conflict the beast tried on many occasions to flame the would-be hero. Winckelriedt was to quick on he's feet and managed to dodge the powerful blasts of heat. At one point, however, the dragon over extended himself and Winckelriedt's blade flashed through the exposed neck. The head of the dragon rolled away, but Winckelriedt was covered in the blood of his foe and encountered the last defence of the beast...... to touch the blood of the dragonet was instant death.

The Classical Dragon

When you think of a dragon, what is the first thing that comes into your mind? In a great deal of cases I would bet that it is a four-legged winged, fire-breathing beast, much as the English dictionary definition above identifies.

There is an obvious reason for this, most modern fiction uses this model for the creation of dragons, but why?

Looking through the myths and legends of the world it is not hard to see why. Below are brief descriptions of two of the most famous of dragon legends. However there are many more out there and I would recommend a visit to your local library for alot more information.

Other Dragons

To start with, the very word dragon can sometimes mean a variety of creatures, Wyrms, Wyverns, Serpents, Bailisks and more. Here a few descriptions of some of the most famous variations.

The Bailisk

The Bailisk is a famous mythological animal, but not always associated with the dragon, but in truth, its origins are interconnected. Holding the upper part of it's two foot long body erect, this creature, although small was one of the most feared in legend. Its ability to kill the largest animal and spilt asunder the biggest boulder made it a formidable foe. The creature would foul the land that it travelled across, poisoning any stream it drank from and changing fertile countryside into arrid desert. The where only three things immune to bailisk, the weasel, the cockerel and a plant called rue. The weasel could use rue to heal themselves after battle with the bailisk and the cockerels crowing would send one fleeing. It's worth mentioning that bailisks were not immune to themselves, an in many tales mirrors and other deflective devices were used to kill the bailisk.

The Wyrm

The wyrm (or worm) is a common occurrence in legends world wide, it is normally a huge serpent-like being, it will have various individual characteristics depending on the legend. The Tatzelworm, for instance, has the front legs and head of a cat and the body of a snake. One of the most famous worms is the 'Lambton Worm' from County Durham, England. This creature had the body of a snake with the head of a dragon. It's main feature was that if it was cut apart by a sword or other blade, then the pieces would reform, recreating the monster. The term 'Wyrm' is often used in modern fantasy as a insult to dragons.

The Wyvern

The wyvern is a small dragon normally with only two legs. In manuscripts dateing back to 1448 it is said that Satan often roamed the planet in the shape of a wyvern.