Dragons, good or evil?

Toni

Active Member
Dragons are an intregal part of almost every kind of mythology. Some are depicted as being good and some as evil. I have heard that folks who keep dragon statues and other dragon paraphernalia in their homes are prone to "bad luck". Is this true?
 

Isis

Member
I don't think dragons are bad luck, or else all the statues in my house wouldn't be here! Personally I think dragons make a handy villain in tales, but I'm not so sure they are as bad as often depicted.
 

RLynn

Active Member
A few random thoughts about dragons..... In China dragons symbolize good luck among other things. I think dragons get an unfair amount of bad press in fairy tales. My favorite dragon is Puff the Magic Dragon. Dragons are sometimes called worms in older literature. The most enigmatic dragon is "the invisible worm that flies in the night in the howling storm" in William Blake's short poem The Sick Rose.
 

Arachne

Member
Dragons play many roles in many mythical traditions. In Europe they are generally associated with evil or with the devil, and are depicted as being greedy and destructive and prone to eating humans. While in China and Japan they are considered wise and good luck, and a symbol of the divine.
 

Myrddin

Well-Known Member
I love dragons. They are, of course, a symbol of the crown, hence the name Pendragon in the Arthurian legends, and otherwise just really powerful creatures, with massive bulk and supposedly many magical properties. I have, for a while now, been considering getting a tattoo of a dragon.
 

Olsen

Member
It's fascinating to see how many differences are between the European and the Asian dragons. I've read that the European dragons have been inspired by the dinosaur bones that were discovered during the Middle Ages. People, who didn't quite grasp the idea of dinosaurs, believed that giant, winged, fire-breathing lizards were flying around. I still can't figure out why the Asian dragons are snake-like in representation...
 

RLynn

Active Member
.......I still can't figure out why the Asian dragons are snake-like in representation...
They are powerful and potent, exemplifying the yang (masculine) principle. Perhaps the serpentine representation is phallic.
 

Toni

Active Member
I tend to lean toward the "good" dragon. I loved the Eragon trilogy and Dragon Riders. They do make good villians though, don't they?
 

LegendofJoe

Active Member
They are powerful and potent, exemplifying the yang (masculine) principle. Perhaps the serpentine representation is phallic.
I've heard it been said: A dragon is a serpent writ large.
I've been a long time lover of dragons; they can be found in corners all over my apartment!
 

Olsen

Member
I've recently watched the animation movie "How to train your dragon". It was loosly based on a series of children's books. I found the film very interesting and well-written. Do you know whether there are any myths about the early Vikings fighting dragons (which may have inspired the writers)?
 

Myrddin

Well-Known Member
I've recently watched the animation movie "How to train your dragon". It was loosly based on a series of children's books. I found the film very interesting and well-written. Do you know whether there are any myths about the early Vikings fighting dragons (which may have inspired the writers)?
I'm sure there are, though I haven't heard of any. Thinking about The Hobbit and Smog, though, definitely makes me think there might be. Tolkien technically could have brought him in from a Norse myth. Something for me to research, now. See if I find anything.
 

Perseus

Member
Dragons play many roles in many mythical traditions. In Europe they are generally associated with evil or with the devil, and are depicted as being greedy and destructive and prone to eating humans. While in China and Japan they are considered wise and good luck, and a symbol of the divine.
I agree, it really depends on the region.
 

Nadai

Active Member
I've always loved dragons!
Myrddin, I'd go for the dragon tattoo idea if I were you; though I'm a chicken, I've always wanted one as well. I love the idea that dragons are wise and cunning and powerful. I wish I could remember the movie I saw a long time ago. A dragon gave away half of his heart to a man, I believe. That's really all I can remember of the movie, but I remember that when I watched it I absolutely fell in love with dragons. I thought that if they were real, they would all be sweet and intellegent like that old dragon, but powerful enough to defend themselves if need be. I like the Chinese and Japanese version of the dragon, though I prefer the image of my avatar over their snake-like version.
 

magickz

Active Member
Why not both just like people through out history? We have good, we have bad and somewhere in the middle we have the truth. I think its still to say that one thing or another is only good or only bad.
 
Anne McCaffery's Dragon series of books are wonderful! I read them a long time ago and still will go back and pick them up every now and then. They are part of my collection that I keep of books that I'll never sell or give away.

As far as dragon's dispositions are concerned, I go with benevolent and helpful.
 

Myrddin

Well-Known Member
I've always loved dragons!
Myrddin, I'd go for the dragon tattoo idea if I were you; though I'm a chicken, I've always wanted one as well. I love the idea that dragons are wise and cunning and powerful. I wish I could remember the movie I saw a long time ago. A dragon gave away half of his heart to a man, I believe. That's really all I can remember of the movie, but I remember that when I watched it I absolutely fell in love with dragons. I thought that if they were real, they would all be sweet and intellegent like that old dragon, but powerful enough to defend themselves if need be. I like the Chinese and Japanese version of the dragon, though I prefer the image of my avatar over their snake-like version.
Dragon Heart! With David Thewlis I believe.
 
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