Happy Mythical Monday!
Since Mondays in May are Mythical, it's time to take on another Mythical Beast. This week's Mythical creature, is the Dragon. I'm sure most of us know what a dragon is, but just in case, there's someone who's not familiar, let me start today's post with a definition from Wikipedia:
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically scaled or fire-spewing and with serpentine, reptilian or avian traits, that features in the myths of many cultures around world. The two most well-known cultural traditions of dragon are
Depending on which tradition, you go to for your dragon mythology, you could get a view of a kind, noble creature who's an asset to mankind, (as in the East). Eastern mythology also describes dragons as being lucky, or bringing fortune. If going by the Western tradition, you end up with a more sinister beast who must be slayed and defeated, as described in the paragraph above. Outside of Eastern traditions, dragons are typically associated with evil, and sometimes, even associated with Satan.
Word Origin:
In Greek, the word dragon means "to watch."
The Latin version, "draco", means serpent.
https://kidskonnect.com/animals/dragon/
Other Physical Characteristics of Dragons:
Dragons are sometimes covered in scales like other reptiles. Dragons can have claws or talons, forked tongues, sharp teeth, tails, (and even horns).
https://www.thoughtco.com/why-you-cant-drown-a-dragon-3299683
Dragons in Mythology:
Fafnir was a dragon in Norse mythology who guarded cursed treasure.
Python guarded the oracle at Delphi, in Greek mythology.
Ladon guarded golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides, (this dragon had up to 100 heads).
Fun "Fact"
A variation of the dragon in mythology is the Hydra. The Hydra was a reptilian type monster with multiple heads. It was said if you cut off one head, several more would grow back in its place. Killing the Hydra was one of the 12 Labors of Hercules.
Famous Dragons in popular culture:
Puff the Magic Dragon: A song about a dragon and his young friend, by Peter, Paul, and Mary. There were later television adaptations based on the song.
Spyro: (Dragon from PlayStation Game)
Another interesting tidbit:
Dragons are also mentioned in the Bible in the book of Revelation, (Chapters 12,13,16, and 20).
Real Life "Dragons"
Komodo Dragon, (Type of Monitor Lizard)
http://www.livescience.com/25559-dragons.html
Bearded Dragon, (Type of Lizard native to Australia)
http://www.beardeddragonguide.com/
There are just so many different sources on dragons, one can easily get information overload. These were just some highlights about dragon mythology. For more information, check out the links listed above, (and these additional sources below):
10 Interesting Facts About Chinese Dragons:
http://www.chinesecultureshop.com/10-interesting-facts-about-chinese-dragons/
Dragons: Fact Monster:
https://www.factmonster.com/features/creature-catalog/dragons
I hope you guys enjoyed today's Mythical Beast, The Dragon. Be sure to check back on Thursday for our next blog post. And remember, it's still Dog Bite Prevention Week!
Until next time,
This is your host J,
signing off...
Since Mondays in May are Mythical, it's time to take on another Mythical Beast. This week's Mythical creature, is the Dragon. I'm sure most of us know what a dragon is, but just in case, there's someone who's not familiar, let me start today's post with a definition from Wikipedia:
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically scaled or fire-spewing and with serpentine, reptilian or avian traits, that features in the myths of many cultures around world. The two most well-known cultural traditions of dragon are
- The European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Balkans and Western Asian mythologies. Most are depicted as reptilian creatures with animal-level intelligence, and are uniquely six-limbed (four legs and a separate set of wings).
- The Chinese dragon, with counterparts in Japan (namely the Japanese dragon), Korea and other East Asian and South Asian countries. Most are depicted as serpentine creatures with above-average intelligence, and are quadrupeds (four legs and wingless).
Depending on which tradition, you go to for your dragon mythology, you could get a view of a kind, noble creature who's an asset to mankind, (as in the East). Eastern mythology also describes dragons as being lucky, or bringing fortune. If going by the Western tradition, you end up with a more sinister beast who must be slayed and defeated, as described in the paragraph above. Outside of Eastern traditions, dragons are typically associated with evil, and sometimes, even associated with Satan.
Word Origin:
In Greek, the word dragon means "to watch."
The Latin version, "draco", means serpent.
https://kidskonnect.com/animals/dragon/
Other Physical Characteristics of Dragons:
Dragons are sometimes covered in scales like other reptiles. Dragons can have claws or talons, forked tongues, sharp teeth, tails, (and even horns).
https://www.thoughtco.com/why-you-cant-drown-a-dragon-3299683
Dragons in Mythology:
Fafnir was a dragon in Norse mythology who guarded cursed treasure.
Python guarded the oracle at Delphi, in Greek mythology.
Ladon guarded golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides, (this dragon had up to 100 heads).
Fun "Fact"
A variation of the dragon in mythology is the Hydra. The Hydra was a reptilian type monster with multiple heads. It was said if you cut off one head, several more would grow back in its place. Killing the Hydra was one of the 12 Labors of Hercules.
Famous Dragons in popular culture:
Puff the Magic Dragon: A song about a dragon and his young friend, by Peter, Paul, and Mary. There were later television adaptations based on the song.
Spyro: (Dragon from PlayStation Game)
Dragons are also mentioned in the Bible in the book of Revelation, (Chapters 12,13,16, and 20).
Real Life "Dragons"
Komodo Dragon, (Type of Monitor Lizard)
http://www.livescience.com/25559-dragons.html
Bearded Dragon, (Type of Lizard native to Australia)
http://www.beardeddragonguide.com/
There are just so many different sources on dragons, one can easily get information overload. These were just some highlights about dragon mythology. For more information, check out the links listed above, (and these additional sources below):
10 Interesting Facts About Chinese Dragons:
http://www.chinesecultureshop.com/10-interesting-facts-about-chinese-dragons/
Dragons: Fact Monster:
https://www.factmonster.com/features/creature-catalog/dragons
I hope you guys enjoyed today's Mythical Beast, The Dragon. Be sure to check back on Thursday for our next blog post. And remember, it's still Dog Bite Prevention Week!
Until next time,
This is your host J,
signing off...
Comments
Post a Comment