*Dragon

*I usually do not define a dragon out of an encyclopedia, but out of the imagination....*

There are many types of dragons, and many creatures who are kin to them. Below I have listed some types of dragons and their brethren. Click on the name of the dragon you want to know more about

Tiamat - the Babylonian story of creation, Enuma Elish, told of this serpent-like creature, the Mother of the gods. Her scales were tough, and could not be broken by weapons. She was slain by the man, Marduk. Many times she has been referred to the monster of air, relating to that element.

Hydra - The many headed dragon of Greek Mythology. Can either have wings, or be wingless. When one head is cut off, two more grow from the spurting blood. The most famous of the hydras was killed by Hercules by the burning of a magic flame.

The Midgard Serpent - This serpent was one of Loki's children, and was thrown off of the Sacred Ash, Yggdrasil, by Odin when it was just a little baby. However, this small serpent grew to encompass the world, and now the huge serpent twines around the earth, twisting and writhing. This dragon-snake had many run-ins with the mighty Thor, and the two of them will face off during the final battle on earth(the Ragnarok).

Cetus - The Sea Serpent of Greek Mythology to whom Andromeda was sacrificed by her father, Cepheus when her mother compared herself to the Neieds, the sea nymphs. Perseus rode Pegasus to save her, slew Cetus and he and Andromeda were married.

Grendel

- This horrible monster was killed by Beowulf after consuming many people. Few knew what Grendle was exactly, the descriptons range from troll to serpent. After it's death Grendel's mother then avenged her son, but was slain in the attempt.

Celestial Dragon - The Ruler of the Chinese dragons. Has five claws curling from its feet. It has 117 scales, 81 infused with yang, the good, and 36 infused with yin, the evil. This was the dragon of the Chinese emperors. There are many types of Chinese Dragons. Others include the the Spiritual, The Dragon of Hidden Treasures, the Winged, the Horned, the Coiling, and the Yellow.

Tatsu

- Japanese Dragon with three claws, similar to the Chinese lung

Naga - Indian serpent-like creatures with the torso and head of humans, and the body and tail of a snake. They have their own society and kingdoms under the earth. There are different types of nagas, such as the Divine, the Heavenly, and others.

Quetzalcoatl

- this Mexican winged dragon is known as an Amphiptere. He had the wings of a quetzal bird, and the tail of a serpent.

Mo-o - this Polynesian dragon's name means "great sea creature." The dragon was thought to steal people's possessions, and move oysters to different lands so that people could not make their livings by harvesting oysters.

The Loch Ness Monster

- This creature has been seen by peoples of Scotland, and lives in the great Loch Ness. She is a sleek watertight creature, similar to a whale or other sea creature.

The Wyvern (Wivern or Wyver) - A heraldic dragon of Wales, with the fore part of a winged dragon, and the hind end of a serpent or lizard. Has variations of body parts. Sometimes having two wings and two legs, other times having four legs. Other spellings include the Old English form, wyvre, and the Old French, wivre.

Amphisbaena

- this venomous serpent-like creature had two heads. One where it should be, and one for its tail. It could reportedly stick one head inside the mouth of the other, and roll to where it wanted to go. It was said to be a very evil creature. Some pictures of this creature depict it as having feet, others just as a snake. Two heads, one coming, one going, Never knowing, never showing. Amphisbaena, have you seen the way the moon dothe set or rise? Of course you do, you have two sets of eyes. -TMH

Cockatrice - this small lizard was one of the most lethal creatures. It had the head, neck, and chest of a rooster, the wings of a bat, and the tail of a lizard. It's glance would kill instantly, it's breath could break stone. The most effective way that brave men slew this beast, or it 's counterpart, the Basilisk, was to show it its own reflection. The only way that these creatures can reproduce is to hatch from the egg of a seven-year-old rooster that was incubated by a toad in dung when the dog star, Sirius, was visible.

Chimera - the beast of Greek Mythology had three heads. A Lion's head was the main, then a goat's head sprouted from its back, and its tail had a serpent's head. It breathed fire, and the hero Belleraphon rode Pegasus and killed it with a lump of lead on a spear which he threw into the Chimera's stomach.

Gryphon - This noblest of fantastic creatures is a combination of the two noblest creatures of their elements, the lion, of land, and the eagle, of air. It is an emblem of knowledge and valor, and is a guardian of kings. This majestic beast is still well known in the world for its protection and majesty.

Manticore - this lion-like beast has a man's face and ears, three rows of sharp teeth, a scorpion's tail, and a musical voice. Like it's cousin, the Sphinx, it would often challenge it's prey with riddles before killing.

The Lambton Worm - this serpent was caught by a man named Lambton while fishing. He was disgusted by its appearance, needle-like teeth, slimy, and evil, and he threw it into a nearby well. Unknown to him, it grew and thrived until it began to feed of the villagers. It could not be cut, for the pieces merely rejoined and regenerated. Lambton came back and discovered what had occurred, and under the advisement of a wise man, donned a suit of armor covered in spikes and chopped the Worm to pieces in the river where the pieces of the dead worm drifted away.

The Guivre - a serpent dragon who's breath would generate plagues and disease. It was ashamed of nudity, so would flee in the presence of a nude person.

The Gargouille - a dragon which rose from the waters of the Seine, the river in France. It spouted a tremendous blast of water from its mouth which flooded the countryside. It was called Gargouille or "gargler". The sign of the cross subdued it, and the people of France erected statues of the creature on the buildings to instill fear. The statues are known as gargoyles.

©1997-01 Tiffany Hrach