Cultural Beliefs About Dragons

Stories about dragons have been circulating for thousands of years. You either love them or hate them — but there’s no denying the lure dragons have on cultures around the world.

The exact appearance of a dragon can be difficult to describe because there are many variations of this legendary creature. Some dragons, like the one the Greek God Zeus killed with a thunderbolt, have been accused of having as many as a hundred heads. Of course, there are many versions of this story. One such version is that the dragon with a hundred heads was burned by Zeus, and buried alive under Mt. Aetna.

Dragons are believed to have garnered their characteristics from a combination of creatures that roam the earth today and others that disappeared long ago. Dragons have been likened to dinosaurs, because of their massive size; snakes, because of the dragon’s elongated serpent-like appearance; crocodiles, due to their scaly skin and fearsome power; birds, because dragons can fly; and felines because dragons are believed to possess cat-like claws.

Other characteristics of dragons include long, spaded tails and crested heads that grow back if they’re chopped off. Dragons can also vary in color. Each color represents something different. For example, red dragons represent greed. Black dragons are believed to be evil. And green dragons are said to be cunning.

Symbols of dragons are prevalent throughout Eastern cultures and can be seen in works of arts, writings, sculptures, and the like. Dragons are especially popular in the Chinese culture where these mystical creatures are revered and associated with prosperity, wisdom and prestige. Chinese dragons are said to possess powers so great that they have to live near the sea.

Although there are positive images of dragons sprinkled throughout Western cultures, more often than not, dragons are believed to be evil, fire-breathing monsters that thrash around and destroy everything in their wake.

Popular video games like "I of the Dragon" and "Dungeons and Dragons" keep mythical creatures alive in the minds of teens and adults. Young children are often introduced to the concept of dragons through songs such as "Puff the Magic Dragon," and popular children’s books and television shows like Dragon Tales.

Who knows if dragons are real or just a figment of our overactive imaginations? Maybe they’re a combination of both. But one thing we do know is that dragons have a special place in the hearts of cultures around the globe.