European Dragon
| European dragons are legendary creatures in folklore and mythology among the overlapping cultures of Europe.
In Western folklore, dragons are usually portrayed as evil, with exceptions mainly in Welsh folklore and modern fiction. This is in contrast to Chinese dragons, which are traditionally depicted as more benevolent creatures. In the modern period, the European dragon is typically depicted as a huge, fire-breathing, scaly, horned, lizard-like creature; the creature also has leathery, bat-like wings, four legs, and a long, muscular prehensile tail. Some depictions show dragons with feathered wings, crests, fiery manes, ivory spikes running down its spine, and various exotic decorations. In folktales, dragon's blood often contains magical properties. For example, in the opera Siegfried, dragon's blood allows Siegfried to understand the language of the Forest Bird. The typical dragon protects a cavern or castle filled with gold and treasure and is often associated with a great hero who tries to slay it. Though a winged creature, the dragon is generally to be found in its underground lair, a cave that identifies it as an ancient creature of earth. Dragons with both limbs and wings are listed under European Dragon and dragons without front limbs are listed under Wyvern. When a dragon has only wings and no legs, it is called an Amphiptere and when it has only two legs, without wings, it is called a Lindworm. The Guivre is a giant snake, or a dragon without any limbs or wings. Finally, dragons from the Eastern tradition are listed under Chinese Dragon. For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. |
