Dragon Lore

Among the oldest of mythological creatures, dragons appear in the traditions of virtually all peoples back to the beginning of time. Because of this widespread adoption, the dragon appears in numerous forms, and local traditions have been created around many of them, crediting this tribe of monsters with many attributes. In their earliest form, dragons were associated with the Great Mother, the water god and the warrior sun god. In these capacities they had the power to be both beneficent and destructive and were all-powerful creatures in the universe. Because of these qualities, dragons assumed the roles taken by Osiris and Set in Egyptian mythology.

European Dragons

The Western type of dragon has been variously described, and individual dragons had their own unique forms. They appeared to be created from parts of various creatures, with the result that in general, they were described as having eagle's feet and wings, lion's forelimbs and head, fish's scales, antelope's horns and a serpentine form of trunk and tail, which occasionally extended to the head. These dragons are found in many notable medieval, Greek, Roman, and Norse legends. European dragons tend to be thought of as greedy and evil.

Amphisbaena

{African} Originating in Africa, this was a two headed dragon (one at the front, and one on the end of its tail). The front head would hold the tail (or neck as the case may be) in its mouth, creating a circle that allowed it to roll.

The Amphitptere

A winged serpent, with no legs, it could be found along the banks of the Nile and in Arabia. It guarded frankincense-bearing trees and threatened all that would harvest the precious resin.

Apep

{Egyptian} With the approach of night the strength of the Ra, the sun god of Heliopolis, diminished. The solar barque "entered the realm of night and met the powers of darkness. The chief of these was the serpent Apep who tried to swallow the barque; a nightly struggle ensued, and when the sun reappeared on the eastern horizon the next day prayers of thankfulness were offered that Ra was triumphant and the sun would continue to shine."

Apocalyptic Beast

{Biblical - Most likely Middle East} A creature mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. It has two horns, speaks like a dragon, and bears the mystical number of the devil. In this account from the bible the dragon was used most likely as a symbol.

Cecrops

{Greek} The mythical founder of Athens; first king of Attica; represented as half human, half dragon; credited with inventing writing and establishing marriage and burial customs.

Draco

{Greek} A constellation in the north containing the star of the North Pole of the ecliptic. Legend states this constellation was named after the Athenian statesman and lawgiver Draco or Dracon.

Fafnir

{Norse mythology} A dragon; guardian of the treasure later known as the Nibelung hoard.

The Guivre

The wingless guivre, which was also had no legs, would have seemed a mere serpent albeit an immensely powerful one, except for its massive dragonhead, which was horned and bearded. It likes to live in forests and wells - anywhere near water.

The Heraldic Dragon

The most widespread and formidable of it's kind. It had massive fangs, four clawed legs and a ridge of sharp spines that stretched from its spiked nose to its barbed and stinging tail.

Hydra

{Greek mythology} A gigantic monster resembling a dragon with several heads (usually nine, though the number varies), the center one of which is immortal. It is said to haunt the marshes of Lerna near Argos. The destruction of the hydra was one of the 12 labors of Hercules. When one of the hydra's heads was cut off two grew in its place.

Jormungand

(Norse Legend) The world serpent that dwelled at the bottom of the sea, and that encircled the whole world. It was to rise against the gods at Ragnarok, helping the Fenris Wolf and Surt, and the other enemies of the gods, to destroy both Asgard and Midgard.

Leviathan

{Bible, Job ix, 13 and Isa. xxvii, 1} Hebrew name for sea monster; also dragon of turmoil which contested against God.

The Lindworm

Falling between the birdlike wyvern and the snakelike guivre, the lindworm had a serpentine body with one pair of legs. It was flightless. The Italian traveler Marco Polo reported seeing some lindworms while crossing the steppes of Central Asia. "

Tatzlwyrm

{Germanic legend} A winged, fire-breathing dragon monster.

Tiamat

{Babylonian} Primeval Chaos, bearer of the skies and the earth. The clamor of the younger gods disturbed her, but she continued to indulge them. When the others suggested that they kill the younger gods, she grew furious, calmed down and rejected the plan. Her restless subservient gods goaded her into action after her son is slain. They prepared to wage war against the other gods. As Mother Hubur, the underworld river, who fashions all things, she bore giant snakes with venom for blood, and cloaked dragons with a godlike radiance yet with a terrible visage, for the war. She rallied a horned serpent, a mushussu-dragon, a lahmu-hero, a ugallu-demon, a rabid dog, a scorpion-man, umu-demons, a fish-man, a bull-man, and eleven others underneath her champion, Qingu. She gave Qingu the Tablet of Destinies to facilitate his command and attack. To this day they battle still.

Typhon

It was the mystery of the god Sol, and inscribed on a black image of Isis. The Divine Boy was chased by the cruel Typhon. In an Egyptian legend the dragon is said to pursue Thuesis (Isis) while she is endeavoring to protect her son."

The Wyvern

Feared for its viciousness and for the pestilence it brought to northern Europe, Greece and Ethiopia, the wyvern had a coiling trunk that bore a pair of eagle's legs, which were tucked beneath its wings.

Oriental Dragons

Oriental or Eastern Dragons, are the most recorded type of dragon throughout history. The Chinese dragons are snake-like with four short legs. Chinese dragons have five toes verses the Korean Dragon with four toes and the Japanese with only three. Unlike other dragons of legend they do not have wings. The five toed dragons are a symbol of power. The Chinese dragon is often depicted as either being red or gold, although other colors are found. The Chinese term for the dragons is "Lung". There are four major categories of Lung.

T'ien lung

Celestial dragon, protector of the heavens.

Shen-lung

The Azure, a spiritual dragon, and bringer of rain. It is also an Imperial Dragon - five-toed. These dragons were used by emperors to decorate their robes. Usage by anyone else was punishable by death.

Ti-lung

Is known as the Dragon of land, streams, and rivers. Ti-lung was said to spend springtime in heaven and autumn in the sea.

Fut's-Lung

Underworld treasure dragon. These dragons were known as ones that guarded secret hoards of jewels and precious metals in the depths of the earth.

Other Eastern Dragons

Yellow Dragon or Dragon Horse

Divine messenger. It arose from the River Lo and revealed the 8 trigrams of I Ching

Lung Wang

Human-bodied fire dragon, which was thought to be an immortal dragon king that inhabited a palace at the bottom of the sea.

Ryu

{Japanese} A dragon able to live in the air, in water, and on land. It was considered one of the four sacred creatures of the Orient. Ryu symbolizes rain and storms.

Thunder Dragon

Also known as Obsidian. This one transforms itself into a boy with bright ultramarine skin, who rides a scarlet carp.

T'ao t'ieh

This dragon has one head and two forelegs, but has two bodies with separate hind legs and tails. It personifies gluttony, and are pictured on dishes to discourage greed. Also used commonly by artists because of its symmetry.

Yu lung

A fish dragon, which symbolizes success in exams.