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Summary
This essay aims to give a basic idea of what a dragon is. The essay starts
by dealing with the problems of defining dragons and traits common among
dragons. Common mythical themes are discussed. This leads on to modern
misconceptions about dragons.
Common Draconic Traits
In modern times, the idea of what a dragon looks like has become increasingly
stereotypical: reptilian, two bat-like wings, four legs, long neck and tail,
tail spade, breaths fire, hoards treasure and is often green. This was
not always the case. Ancient dragons were very diverse in form and behaviour.
This diversity makes it difficult to write a definition of what a dragon
is. Dictionary definitions1 are fairly accurate, but
give no clue about whether a creature lacking all of the traits a dragon
'usually' has could still be a dragon. They also do not include how to tell a
dragon apart from another creature which has some of these traits.
One answer would be to say that a dragon is any monster which is claimed
to be a dragon by the tellers of the myth. There is a big language problem
with this approach. In many cultures dragons have a close affinity with some
other species. The dividing line between snakes and dragons is particularly
small in many cultures. Some serpentine dragons look like giant
snakes2 3, and have some snake-like attributes
(such as spitting poison). This similarity is reflected in language: often one word
can be used to describe a snake or a dragon.
The word confusion does not end at snakes. Among the Polynesians, Mo'o or
Moko4 means a lizard of some type. From language
alone the moko of a legend could just as easily be a fearsome dragon, or
a cute little gecko. Some cultures call many flying animals birds, including
the dragon-like ones5 6.
Probably the most accurate way of deciding what is a dragon is to compare
the creature with other dragons. There are a number of traits that many dragons
possess and a number of themes which appear time and again in legends.
If a creature shares a fair number of these traits and themes, there is a
good chance it is a dragon. Below is a checklist of traits which many dragons
share. A dragon does not need all (or even most) of these traits to be a
dragon.
These are some of the most common traits among dragons. All of these appear
in numerous cultures. It is unlikely to find a dragon which does not have
at least one of these traits:
- Reptilian: Could be appearance or behaviour. Scales are common.
- Fire: Breathing or spitting fire.
- Venomous: Examples are poisonous blood, breath or bite.
- Water: Living in water2 7 or being associated with water.
- Weather: Having control over some aspect of the weather (particularly storms, rain,
wind and floods)7.
- Flight: Being able to fly (not necessarily by having wings).
- Guarding Something: Often treasure8 or knowledge,
but it could be a city9, maiden or some other resource.
- Magical/Supernatural Powers: Sometimes these are powers displayed by the
live dragons5 and sometimes magical properties of dead
parts of the dragon8.
- Bird Talons: Raptor-like talons on the feet10.
Less Widespread Common Traits:
- Other Bird Traits: Most commonly feathers5 20.
- Transformation: Ability to turn into another type of animal (including
human)11.
- Power: Holding a position of power (such as a being a god, or close servant of the
gods).
- Healing: Some dragons have remarkable self-healing powers, able to heal
quickly during fights3 and possibly grow back body
parts12.
Common Story Themes
A basic list of story themes can be a useful tool for deciding if a myth is
genuinely a dragon myth. It is difficult to summarise the themes of dragon
myths concisely. There are many themes and variations. These themes are also
not exclusive to dragons. Despite the problems, this list does give another
starting point for making a decision.
- Dragon controls the weather7
- Causes rainfall or storms
- Causes floods
- Creates lightning
- Dragon lives in water
- Dragon home is a lake, river, well or ocean7
- Dragon rises up from the water to attack the local area14
- Dragon causes havoc
- Hero fights the dragon3 9 12
- Hero makes parts of the universe from the dragon body15
- Dragon given offerings
- Dragon marries a human
- Marrying the daughter of a Dragon King16
- Dragon marries/intends to marry the maiden sacrifice17
- People or nation are descended from a dragon18
- Dragon guards treasure
- Protects hoard or special items from humans8
- Protects home, palace or temple19
- Dragon grants a gift in return for goods or services
- Offering gold9
- Offering special powers5
- Offering daughter in marraige16
What a Dragon is Not
Another important point when deciding what is and is not a dragon, is to
beware modern stereotypes. There are many generalisations and stereotypes
which are taken to be true of all dragons. They are not. Below are a few
of these stereotypes and generalisations. If you are discounting a creature
as a dragon because it lacks these, then it is a good idea to think again:
- Stereotype 1 - Western dragons are evil and Eastern dragons are good:
There is a general trend for eastern dragons to be more benevolent than their
western counterparts. Even so, Eastern dragons are capable of causing total
havoc and destruction (and did on many occasions). There are also Western
dragons who are kindly towards local humans. For example, there are numerous
helpful household dragons in the West21.
- Stereotype 2 - Dragons must have legs and wings: Many of the European
dragons had no limbs, such as some of the worms and the Midgard
Serpent2. Some dragons are sometimes shown with
legs, and sometimes without, such as Ouroboros22.
- Stereotype 3 - Dragons must be intelligent: There are many dragons
who talk in legends23.
However, this is not true of all of them. Some of the polynesian
Taniwha24 show remarkable strength but
not a whole lot of thinking power. The apocryphal dragon in 'Bel and the
Dragon' shows no signs of great intelligence. It eats what humans give it,
does not talk and does not have the intelligence to see the threat which
kills it.25
- Stereotype 4 - Mythological dragons are large: Contrary to popular
belief, it was not roleplaying games like AD&D that created the fairy
dragon. Various forms of fairy dragon, and draconic household spirits, appear
in folklore26. In general they are very small.
Much smaller than a human.
Conclusion
Defining dragons is a very complex subject and cannot be done with a few
sentences. Even a more elaborate definition, such as this one, will have problems
classifying some creatures.
Some myths have several versions of the story. A creature might seem more
dragon-like in one version than another. All of the versions may be authentic,
causing confusion about exactly where the creature should be classified.
The line between dragons and non-dragons is easily blurred. Deciding whether
a creature is a dragon can be made easier by comparing it to known dragons. This will
never remove the affect of personal opinion in these judgments, but it does at least
provide a basic method for making the decisions.
Further Reading in The Dragon Stone
1 - Dragon Dictionary Definitions
2 - European Dragons - The Midgard Serpent (Jormungand)
3 - European Dragons - Lambton Worm
4 - Oceanian Dragons - Moko
5 - African Dragons - Anzu
6 - North American Dragons - Piasa
7 - Asian Dragons - Dragon Kings
8 - European Dragons - Fafnir
9 - African Dragons - Bida
10 - African Dragons - Musrussu
11 - Asian Dragons - O Goncho
12 - European Dragons - Lernaean Hydra
14 - European Dragons - Tarasque
15 - African Dragons - Tiamat
16 - Asian Dragons - Vietnamese Dragon King
17 - African Dragons - Hydra (African)
18 - Asian Dragons - Nagas (Cambodia)
19 - North American Dragons - Sisiutl
20 - South American Dragons - Quetzalcoatl
21 - European Dragons - Mlokoky Smij;
Zitny Smij
22 - Alchemy - Uroboros
23 - European Dragons - Knucker
24 - Oceanian Dragons - Taniwha
25 - Dragon and Serpent Apocrypha Quotations -
Daniel, Bel and the Snake
26 - European Dragons - Mlokoky Smij;
Penezny Smij;
Puk;
Zitny Smij
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