The Dragon

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Dragon dragon.JPG (19136 bytes)

Dragon comes from the Greek word "derkein", meaning "seeing" - as some were said to have keen eyesight, and so were given the function of guarding temples and treasures. The dragon is seen as a mixture of elements taken from various dangerous and particularly aggressive animals, such as serpents, crocodiles, lions and even worms, as well as prehistoric creatures.

During the Middle Ages, in the Western World, dragons were thought of as a mixture of different animal parts; the throat and legs of an eagle, body of a huge serpent, wings of a bat and a tail in the shape of an arrow twisted back upon itself. In France they are also related to the ogre, Gargantus, and giants in general. In fact the dragon is a symbolic figure found in the majority of cultures around the world. If found incorporated in coats-of-arms, it symbolises great power and all that is imposing and terrible. If found as a talisman it has a more peaceful significance and brings longevity, peace and great happiness.

There are lots of different kinds of dragons, like the Gnostic's Dragon (drawn biting its tail), which is the universal dragon, symbol of all cyclic processes and of time - in particular related to the concept of chaos and of dissolution. Basilisk is the dragon that symbolises death. The Red Dragon is the emblem of Wales.

The dragon stands for different meanings depending on your country or religion. The Viking Dragon "Nidhogg" symbolises evil, it would chew ceaselessly at the roots of the Ash Tree Yggdrasil (Tree of Life). The Bible often refers to several kinds of dragons and it is used in many legends as a supreme test of combat, like with St. George and the Dragon. For the Alchemists a number of dragons fighting with each other illustrated the state of "putrefactio" (separating out the elements).

The Dragon is most used in Chinese legends and history. It is impossible to generalise it in their culture because there are so many different kinds. One of them is known as "Dragon of Rain", symbol of the emperor, male energy and fertility. When the Chinese wished for rain they would make a huge dragon out of wood and paper and carry it in procession. In China different colour dragons symbolise different things: a red dragon is seen as the guardian of higher science and the white one is a lunar dragon. The dragon is also part of Chinese Astrology - the year 2000 will be the Year of the Dragon!

Kat - Cosmic Red Earth

Back to the Top

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *