Dragons... fantastic creatures or winged reptilians?

They have occurred in so many legends, stories and myths over the course of the aging of our world, that one cannot call this coincidence…

One fact certainly lingers on and will cause eternal confusion for us about this creature and that is that the dragon has been and always will be a criminal. No, not in the sense that he was thought to have eaten young virgins or steal gold and human belongings, here by breaking human rules and laughing at our values but because of breaking the laws that rule our universe. And by saying this I really mean things like the law of gravity. The question remains unanswered: how did (or does) his lift counteract the force of gravity? What enabled the dragon to live to such an old age (only to die by the hand of man and of certain diseases)?

The dragon has and still does inspire fascination and/ or fear in almost every culture on this earth.

Its “being” symbolizes protection and destruction in one. Do you know that it is believed by many people that a giant dragon is embodied in a rainbow that encircles the earth, dividing the material world from the unseen universe.

The four elements, of which our visible world consists – earth, fire, water and air – were said to be joined together through the dragon. One might even say that this creature symbolizes nature itself just by dwelling in the earth or waters, flying through the air and breathing fire.

They played a vital role as a guardian in antiquity. They were thought of mainly as the guardians of gold and treasures but also as the symbolic guards of kings. A good example of such a dragon is that in Uther’s dream… In Welsh legend it is said that, after having dreamt of a shocking red dragon the warrior Uther took on the name “Pendragon” (meaning “Chief Dragon”) and adopted the red image of one as his symbol which became the Coat of Arms of Wales.

Another legendary dragon (with whom everyone having already read the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien should be acquainted) – Smaug the Golden is also worth mentioning:

“Smaug was the greatest dragon of the third age. A huge golden-red fire-drake, Smaug had vast bat-like wings and a coat of impenetrable iron scales. His one vulnerable part, his belly was protected by a waistcoat of gemstones which were embedded there from centuries of laying on jewelled treasure hoards. Although his beginnings are obscure, he is known to have lived in the Grey Mountains before he came in the year 2770 to Erebor. There be burned and sacked Dale before he entered the kingdom under the mountain where he slaughtered or drove out the dwarves. For two centuries he contentedly lay on his hoard within Erebor. Then in 2941 his slumbers were disturbed by the theft of a part of his treasure from Thorin and company. In a rage, he attacked the Lake Men at Esgaroth and was killed by a shot from Bard the Barman which pierced the spot on his belly not covered by his gemstone armour.”

Source: Tolkien “The Illustrated Encyclopaedia” a reader’s guide to the world of the Lord of the Rings by David Day.

…. So remember to hop onto the dragon's safe back and use him as fair transport and good company on your journey to the other worlds!

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