Most cultures around the world have, at one time or another, had dragons involved in their histories. Whether thought to be snake-like monsters that guarded the under world, luck-bringing family guardians, or knight-devouring lizards, the dragon’s image has always brought respect and some fear.

The first dragon-like creatures - the Chinese pig-dragon – originated about 3800 BC, but there have been many other dragons in ancient cultures around the world. In ancient Babylonian myths, the water goddess, Tiamat, created dragons to fight against Marduk, the hero-god. When Marduk overthrew Tiamat, her dragon sided with him and took its place at his feet. Egyptian fire-breathing dragon-snakes were associated with Re and Osiris’s journeys through the underworld. Though some of these snake-dragons were considered evil, many were portrayed as the guardians of Re’s precious fire.

The Greek word “draken”, from which “dragon” is derived, means “dragon” or “large serpent”. Not surprisingly, then, most of the dragons in Greek mythology, including the guardian of the Golden Fleece, Hydra, and the guardian of the golden apples, were serpent-like in appearance. Norse sea dragons, which often adorned the Viking’s longboats and artwork, were an important part of their culture, as well. Finally, South American peoples’ dragons were both good and evil. Quetzalcoatl, the winged serpent, symbolized the sun and earth, and ruled the four corners of the earth. Kuihcoatl, or the Turquoise Snake, a two-headed dragon-snake, was symbolic of eternity, because of his ability to shed his skin.

Note: This article is not yet finished. We hope to have the rest up soon.

- Larissa

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