From Dinosaurs to Gods: The Myth of Dragons Over the Millennia

The name of these mythical creatures comes from the Greek term “drákon”, which would be a kind of giant serpent. But the legendary beast changed its face over time and gained powers and attributes according to the beliefs of each culture. From good spirits to fire-breathing winged monsters, dragons are featured in epic stories and have become hits on TV, film and literature. Learn a little more about these fantastic beings that intrigue fans and scholars alike.

A MYTH FORGED IN FIRE

How man was inspired by nature to create this legend

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1. 40,000 BC is the closest date for the first depictions of dragon-like creatures. The records, in the form of cave paintings, were made by prehistoric aborigines in Australia.

two. Dinosaurs are the main forerunners of the legend. Thousands of years ago, when people found buried fossils, they associated these findings with mythological monsters or divine spirits. Among the most confused species were the Tanystropheusthe stegosaurus, the plesiosaurus and the pterosaur.

3. Other animals also personalized the myth. Whale bones, for example, looked like the carcasses of giant snakes. The Chinese alligator inspired Asian dragons, while in Australia the collared lizard and the bearded dragon were a major source of confusion. The Komodo dragon (largest reptile in the world) and flying dragons (lizards of the genus Draco) also contributed.

VERSIONS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

Sumer/Babylon (from 5000 BC)

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Origin: According to Sumerian legend, there existed a dragon god named Anzu, sometimes also identified as a griffin or bird. In addition to being strong, he could spit fire and water. Already in Babylon, Tiamat, goddess associated with the ocean, was worshiped. She was worshiped as the mother of the elements.
Powers: Impenetrable body.

Greece (circa 700 BC)

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Origin: Among the celebrated Greek dragons is the guardian Ladon. He was in charge of protecting the golden apples that Hera received from Gaia when she married Zeus. He was killed by one of Hercules’ arrows, in the tale of his 12 labors.
Powers: Each head could speak a different language and their eyes emanated fire.

Japan (at least since 660 BC)

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Origin: The Ryujin (one of the most famous Japanese dragons) was the all-powerful of the waters and great-great-grandfather of the first emperor, Jimmu (660 BC to 585 BC). That is, he was an ancestor of the Japanese dynasty.
Powers: Ryujin could summon the storm by howl and turn it into a tornado. Also, he could turn human.

Persia (around 550 BC)

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Origin: Azi Dahaka, famous in Persian mythology, was subordinate to the lord of darkness and touched terror in humans, in addition to destroying forests and practicing theft. For these people, the dragon actually personified Babylon’s oppression of Persia.
Powers: It could control storms and make people sick.

Celts (6th century BC)

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Origin: For the Celts, dragons were associated with the force of nature and became a symbol of their religion. They went from deities to guardians of the doors to other worlds, as well as the treasures of the Universe. One of the most famous creatures was the Master Stoorworm, who snatched up goods and living people when he yawned.
Powers: They destroyed entire villages and ships.

India (563 BC)

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Origin: It is believed that Indian dragons lived in the times of Buddha. The most famous was called the Apalala. He was a man who was reborn as a dragon and terrorized the villagers with hail and floods. Buddha transformed the beast into a pure spirit.
Powers: In addition to controlling the weather, it was able to move on its feet.

China (at least since 206 BC)

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Origin: For ancient peoples, these beasts were evolved snakes. They appeared in China and lost a grip when they left their homeland. And they also had descendants, the so-called “dragon people”, with an animal body and a human head.
Powers: They controlled rain and hurricanes. In the Chinese zodiac, they symbolize the free spirit, which brings creativity, innovation and courage.

Korea (circa 110 BC)

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Origin: In some stories, the Imoogi (a kind of «proto-dragon») lived in water and caves and brought luck. Those who managed to pass the thousand years of life could become a dragon – as long as they managed to catch in their mouth a pearl that fell from the sky every millennium.
Powers: These spirits control the elements and protect the sea, sky and land.

Philippines (about 2000 years ago)

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Origin: The legendary dragon was Bakunawa. He lived in the sea when the world had seven moons. Fascinated by their brightness, he left his shelter and, using his wings, flew to try to devour them. When the moon darkened due to eclipses, villagers thought it was Bakunawa swallowing it. To scare him away, pots and pans were banging.
Powers: He could kill with eye contact.

Aztecs/Mayans (between 9th and 16th centuries)

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Origin: Ancient civilizations believed in a deity called Quetzalcoatl – a type of serpent-bird. He was one of the main deities of this people, being a representation of natural forces.
Powers: It had the energy to drive the growth of plant life on Earth. From time to time, he could change into a man and walk among humans.

Poland (circa 700 AD)

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Origin: One of the most famous tales tells about the Wawel Dragon. Several knights tried to defeat the winged beast, but they never returned. Until a shoemaker had the idea of ​​stuffing a sheep with sulfur and leaving it as a trap. The animal devoured the prey and felt an internal burning. He drank water until his belly exploded.
Powers: The heads spit fire.

Norse peoples (between 6th and 7th centuries)

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Origin: The iconography of dragons emerged in the pre-Viking period. Jormungand was the most feared. Loki’s second son, he had the appearance of a giant serpent. Odin would have thrown the creature into the ocean of Midgard, where it grew disproportionately, being able to go around the Earth and still find its tail.
Powers: They released a lethal poison.