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The Mythical Dragon
Throughout history remnants of folk tales and legends about a mysterious fire-breathing creature have intrigued and mystified the populace. In most mythology we see the dragon portrayed as an enormous serpentine flying creature that could decimate everything in its path with its volatile breath.
In Christianity the dragon has been associated with Satan but in other traditions the dragon was viewed as a symbol of regeneration. Not only was this creature associated with fire but with water as well and was also thought to be the giver of rain.
Many myths revolve around the slaying of the dragon though this may have been a symbolic representation of regenerating and fertilizing the earth. Dragons were said to guard treasure and were often depicted with three to seven heads that would grow back if cut off. The blood of these beasts was considered highly poisonous. The great dragon was also used in the Babylonian Creation myth as a reference to the slaying of Tiamat, the watery monster, from which heaven and earth were created. The dragon has also been associated with the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
It is believed the dragon may be a symbolic representation of kundalini, the vital force also known as chi or prana that lies coiled up at the base of the spine. The dragon became a symbol of power in Chinese folklore and its presence became well known as a representation of it was paraded through the streets on the Chinese New Year.
But is there any basis for the actual existence of dragons? There doesn’t appear to be any tangible evidence nor historical fact to corroborate such a theory although many people believe that in each legend is contained a grain of fact. We have to wonder if the tales of these large fire-breathing creatures could indeed be rooted in fact. Could they have existed in the era of prehistoric dinosaurs? If so, why have no remains been found? These are questions we continue to ponder.
It has been speculated that the dragon myth may be related to the prehistoric pterodactyl or the plesiosaur. The latter creature has also been considered a likely candidate for the sea creature myths such as the Loch Ness monster. There are legends of dragons living under water and what was the biblical creature referred to as leviathan? Were dragons actual prehistoric creatures of a forgotten time? Perhaps we will never know but forgotten they will never be as long as myth and legend continue to survive.
[FONT="]Written by Darlene Zagata[/FONT]
Throughout history remnants of folk tales and legends about a mysterious fire-breathing creature have intrigued and mystified the populace. In most mythology we see the dragon portrayed as an enormous serpentine flying creature that could decimate everything in its path with its volatile breath.
In Christianity the dragon has been associated with Satan but in other traditions the dragon was viewed as a symbol of regeneration. Not only was this creature associated with fire but with water as well and was also thought to be the giver of rain.
Many myths revolve around the slaying of the dragon though this may have been a symbolic representation of regenerating and fertilizing the earth. Dragons were said to guard treasure and were often depicted with three to seven heads that would grow back if cut off. The blood of these beasts was considered highly poisonous. The great dragon was also used in the Babylonian Creation myth as a reference to the slaying of Tiamat, the watery monster, from which heaven and earth were created. The dragon has also been associated with the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
It is believed the dragon may be a symbolic representation of kundalini, the vital force also known as chi or prana that lies coiled up at the base of the spine. The dragon became a symbol of power in Chinese folklore and its presence became well known as a representation of it was paraded through the streets on the Chinese New Year.
But is there any basis for the actual existence of dragons? There doesn’t appear to be any tangible evidence nor historical fact to corroborate such a theory although many people believe that in each legend is contained a grain of fact. We have to wonder if the tales of these large fire-breathing creatures could indeed be rooted in fact. Could they have existed in the era of prehistoric dinosaurs? If so, why have no remains been found? These are questions we continue to ponder.
It has been speculated that the dragon myth may be related to the prehistoric pterodactyl or the plesiosaur. The latter creature has also been considered a likely candidate for the sea creature myths such as the Loch Ness monster. There are legends of dragons living under water and what was the biblical creature referred to as leviathan? Were dragons actual prehistoric creatures of a forgotten time? Perhaps we will never know but forgotten they will never be as long as myth and legend continue to survive.
[FONT="]Written by Darlene Zagata[/FONT]
