Mythical Animals, Dragons

Mythical Animals : Dragons

Dragons are in stories.
Some are fierce.
Some breathe fire.
Some bring good luck.

The dragon is a legendary creature that appears in the myths of many cultures. Dragons are generally shown as reptilian, lizard-like with two pairs of legs and long tail. They are sometimes drawn with huge yellow or red eyes. They sometimes have spines along their back. Centuries ago dragons were drawn as very small, often smaller than people, but as the stories grew, so did the dragons.

Dragons often have a special importance and in some cultures are regarded with reverence and respect. They are often regarded as being very wise, and very long-lived. They are considered to be magic. Most commonly known today are the European and the Asian dragons.

European Dragons
The European dragon generally has huge bat-like wings on its back. They are depicted as ferocious and cruel, and love treasure, which they hoard and guard. They breathe fire. They lived in wild and lonely places and were known to kidnap and devour maidens. In many stories, brave knights rescued these maidens.

Because of this association with bravery, the dragon was often used as a symbol on shields, badges, flags and banners. The national flag of Wales has a red dragon on it.

Asian Dragons
Asian dragons, in contrast, are thought to bring good luck. They live in water or burrow into mountainsides, and spit water rather than fire They are nocturnal, or active at night.

There are about nine main kinds of Chinese dragon.
The most powerful are Horned Dragons.
Some are Winged Dragons, able to fly to heaven.
Some, Celestial Dragons, guard the gods and, in the past, the Emperors. These dragons have five claws on each foot, instead of four like the other dragons.
Spiritual Dragons control rain and wind and protects sacred places from evil spirits.
Earth Dragons control rivers and floods.
Dragons of Hidden Treasures guard sacred treasures such as the Pearl of Wisdom and control earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Chinese dragons get their power from the Pearl of Wisdom, which multiplies anything it touches. The Pearl or other treasure it is guarding is kept under it chin.
There are four Dragon Kings, North, South, East and West.
There are also Yellow and Coiling Dragons.

Because they are symbols of good luck, Asian dragons are often used as designs on ceramics, fabric, statues, jewellery, building and boat decorations and small ornaments.

For information about Chinese dragons, click here:
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215373/

For information about European and other dragons, click here:
http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00718/index_files/page0004.html

Go here to listen to a song about a dragon and to watch a video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3587181411837908751#docid=-7680627109960272556

If you use any part of this in your own work, acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R Mythical Animals, Dragons [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au [2009]

The front of a racing dragon boat, photograph © [2007] Jupiterimages Corporation