Amphisbaena : Am-fiz-bee-nah
PHYSIOLOGY: This is a dragon that has two heads, one in the front of the
body, and one at the
tip of its tail. With one head holding the "tail-neck" it can roll around in any direction in a
hoop. It is
usually portrayed as having a scaly body, feathered wings, and feet of a rooster. It's name
means
"one that goes in both directions".
HISTORY: This dragon originates from Africa. Stories say when the female
amphisbaena was
looking over her eggs, she could keep one head awake at all times. Today, there is a
lizard named
after this dragon which has markings on its tail that look like a head. When threatened, it
lifts its tail
and scatters back and forth to confuse its attacker.
Naga : nah-gah
PHYSIOLOGY: These are pseudo-dragons who are usually portrayed as having
a human head and serpentine body, and no wings.
HISTORY: The history of these creatures seem to come from India, which the
Nagas worked with the gods. Nagas were patrons of water and clouds, but could cause
flooding or drought if disturbed. In some stories, the naga can shape-change at will from
human to snake form. More info can be obtained here: Info on the
Naga or Naga: The
Serpent
DRAGONS OF YESTERDAY
& TODAY
Dragons have been in mythology and legend for thousands of years. Almost every
country in the world as some sort of dragon story. Where did they originate from? Did
people actually SEE dragons? By some strange chance, were their dinosaurs still
roaming the earth only a few thousand years ago? Were some of the dragons people saw
actually lizards that have extra skin, and can glide such as the Kuehneosaurus,or the
flying dinosaurs the
Archaeopter
yx or
Pterosaurs?
Kuehneosaurus
Maybe, but these are questions no one can answer. Dragons will always live on the
Earth, we do have real dragons here! There is even a genus of lizard called draco. Two
"dragon" lizards are water dragons, and
Komodo
dragons. The water dragon is a popular small lizard to keep as pets. The Komodo
dragon (not discovered until 1912!) is the largest known lizard today, reaching lengths of
10 feet, and 150 pounds. The bright yellow tongue could be mistaken for a flame, and its
vicious nature would scare anyone away.
Some other "dragons" are the Dragonfly, and the
Snapdra
gon flower. The Dragonfly could have been mistaken for a small flying dragon in
the past, although, in Jurassic times, Dragonflies were as big as a seagull. The
Snapdragon flower looks like a red mouth with a gaping yellow throat, which could be
where it's name came from. Humans have even named one of the Constellations in the
sky Dra
co for the shape of the constellation is that of a dragon.
CONCLUSION
So, why dragons? Is it their powerful presence? Are they watching us without us
watching them? Some people think so. But until a dragon wants themself to be known,
they only show themselves to those who TRUELY believe. Dragon stories and myth have
been around for thousands of years, so it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It is almost
certain that more myths and legends of these fascinating creatures will fill the heads of
children and adults alike and artists will continue drawing, painting, and creating dragons
of all sorts, as long at their imaginations takes them to the realm of the dragon.
Here Be Dragons! hopes that this study has opened your eyes to what dragons are, or
what they could be. We also hope that this encourages you to write a dragon story, draw
a dragon picture, or create your own dragon web site.
All of this is what a dragon
is.
MORE ABOUT
DRAGONS
By Request Only: The Life Of A
Dragon, a fascinating look at the life cycle of a Western dragon. Written
by Jennifer Walker, contact her
for information how to read this study.
Coming soon, The Life Of An Eastern Dragon.
History of dragons around the
World
Physiology Of A Dragon
How do YOU say
Dragon?
PHYSIOLOGY: This is a dragon that has two heads, one in the front of the body, and one at the tip of its tail. With one head holding the "tail-neck" it can roll around in any direction in a hoop. It is usually portrayed as having a scaly body, feathered wings, and feet of a rooster. It's name means "one that goes in both directions".
HISTORY: This dragon originates from Africa. Stories say when the female amphisbaena was looking over her eggs, she could keep one head awake at all times. Today, there is a lizard named after this dragon which has markings on its tail that look like a head. When threatened, it lifts its tail and scatters back and forth to confuse its attacker.
Naga : nah-gah
PHYSIOLOGY: These are pseudo-dragons who are usually portrayed as having a human head and serpentine body, and no wings.
HISTORY: The history of these creatures seem to come from India, which the Nagas worked with the gods. Nagas were patrons of water and clouds, but could cause flooding or drought if disturbed. In some stories, the naga can shape-change at will from human to snake form. More info can be obtained here: Info on the Naga or Naga: The Serpent
DRAGONS OF YESTERDAY & TODAY
Dragons have been in mythology and legend for thousands of years. Almost every
country in the world as some sort of dragon story. Where did they originate from? Did
people actually SEE dragons? By some strange chance, were their dinosaurs still
roaming the earth only a few thousand years ago? Were some of the dragons people saw
actually lizards that have extra skin, and can glide such as the Kuehneosaurus,or the
flying dinosaurs the
Archaeopter
yx or
Pterosaurs?
Maybe, but these are questions no one can answer. Dragons will always live on the
Earth, we do have real dragons here! There is even a genus of lizard called draco. Two
"dragon" lizards are water dragons, and
Komodo
dragons. The water dragon is a popular small lizard to keep as pets. The Komodo
dragon (not discovered until 1912!) is the largest known lizard today, reaching lengths of
10 feet, and 150 pounds. The bright yellow tongue could be mistaken for a flame, and its
vicious nature would scare anyone away.
Some other "dragons" are the Dragonfly, and the Snapdra gon flower. The Dragonfly could have been mistaken for a small flying dragon in the past, although, in Jurassic times, Dragonflies were as big as a seagull. The Snapdragon flower looks like a red mouth with a gaping yellow throat, which could be where it's name came from. Humans have even named one of the Constellations in the sky Dra co for the shape of the constellation is that of a dragon.
CONCLUSION
Here Be Dragons! hopes that this study has opened your eyes to what dragons are, or what they could be. We also hope that this encourages you to write a dragon story, draw a dragon picture, or create your own dragon web site.
All of this is what a dragon is.
MORE ABOUT DRAGONS
Coming soon, The Life Of An Eastern Dragon.
History of dragons around the World
Physiology Of A Dragon
How do YOU say Dragon?
