The European Dragon

In European folklore, a dragon is a legendary creature with a serpentine shape. Its body is composed of two pairs of legs (lizard-like) and membranous wings (bat-like) that stand erect on its back. It is also called the Western dragon . This enormous beast has scaly skin, breathes fire, and possesses horns and an imposing tail. 🐲

The European dragon is generally associated with evil, with the main exception of Welsh folklore and modern fiction. This contrasts with Asian dragons, which are traditionally depicted as benevolent creatures.

Dragon's blood often possesses magical properties. In the opera Siegfried, it enabled Siegfried to understand the language of the forest bird. The typical European dragon guards a cavern or castle filled with gold and treasure and is often associated with a great hero who tries to slay it. Although a winged creature , the dragon resides in an underground lair, a cavern that identifies it as an ancient earth creature. It is possible that the dragons of European mythology originated from the serpent worship found in religions around the world.

The Dragon in European Mythology

The European dragons that lurk in stories are powerful, wicked, and dangerous. In Christian tradition, they can symbolize Satan or sin. Many of them nest in caves and guard wondrous treasures. When hungry, they devour livestock. The European dragon also feeds on humans, especially young girls. In European tales, some sleep during the day and unleash their fury at nightfall. 🐉

Epic poems from the Middle Ages tell of warriors and knights battling cruel and voracious dragons. In some stories, the hero slays the mythical monster and then gains glory, fortune, and honor. In others, he fails miserably and suffers a gruesome death.

Origin of the Western Dragon

Western dragons are thought to be descended from Roman dragons . Roman dragons evolved from serpentine Greek dragons , combined with Persian dragons, in the blend that characterized the hybrid Greek/Hellenistic Eastern culture. The last Babylonian dragon worshipped by the court of the Persian Cyrus the Great, in the Hebrew tale of Bel and the Dragon, probably dates from the late 2nd century BC.

The Book of Revelation (Greek, not Roman) describes Satan as "a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns." Much of John's literary inspiration is of Hebrew and late Greek origin, but John's dragon , like his Satan, is more likely to have come from Persia. Perhaps our distinctions between Western dragons and Chinese dragons are arbitrary.

The European Dragon in Christianity

The European dragon is malevolent and an important symbol in the Christian faith. In Revelation 12:3, a huge red dragon with seven heads is described, whose tail sweeps a third of the stars from heaven to earth (held to symbolize the fall of the angels). The Latin word for dragon is " draco ," which actually means serpent and is thus linked to the association between serpents and the devil in Christianity.

The Legend of Saint George and the Dragon

Among the legends about European dragons is " Saint George and the Dragon ," in which a brave knight defeats a dragon holding a princess captive. This legend may be a Christianized version of the myth of Perseus, or of the Phrygian god Sabazios on horseback who triumphs over the chthonic serpent, but its origins are obscure.

The legend of Saint George and the dragon is well known in Italy. But other saints are also depicted fighting dragons. For example, the first bishop of Forlì, named Mercurial, killed a dragon and saved Forlì. He is often portrayed slaying the dragon.

The European dragon features in Catalan myths and legends , largely because Saint George (Catalan Sant Jordi) is the patron saint of Catalonia. The Catalan dragon (drac catalan) is an enormous serpent with two legs, or rarely, four legs, and sometimes a pair of wings. They can also emit a foul odor, capable of rotting anything in their path. 🐉

The European Dragon in the Middle Ages

In medieval symbolism , European dragons were often symbols of apostasy and betrayal, but also of anger and envy, and dramatically represented great calamity. Multiple heads represented decadence and oppression, as well as heresy. They also served as symbols of independence, leadership, and strength. Colors often determined the symbolism of a dragon.

In the hero's journey, dragons represented fear. European dragons are often considered to have major spiritual significance in various religions and cultures around the world. In many Eastern cultures, European dragons were, and still are in some cultures, revered as representing the primal forces of nature and the universe.

The European Dragon in Heraldry

During the Middle Ages, European dragons became popular figures in heraldry, appearing on banners, seals, and other emblems of authority and military power. Dragon-slaying saints adorned the coins of Christian kingdoms, but they were also found in the Islamic world.

The typical European dragon, with wings and four legs, is the second most popular symbol after the wyvern , representing wealth and power. In Britain, this type of imagery was made famous by King Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, who had a dragon on his crest, and also by the story of Saint George and the dragon. It's worth noting that even though images of European dragons in heraldry could be seen as positive, this didn't change the general negative attitude towards the European dragon. 🐉

European Dragon Tattoos

A European dragon tattoo comes in a plethora of styles that reflect how deeply rooted it is in human beliefs. The creature has profound connections with several cultures around the world, from Western folklore and Middle Eastern mythologies to Asian influences .

In Europe, dragons were considered evil creatures that had to be slain by a noble knight. Legends of dragon and serpent slayers like Beowulf, the archangel Michael, and Tristan abound. Dragon mythology appears in Judaism and Christianity in the form of a serpent, and slaying a dragon is often interpreted as defeating evil. Dragon tattoos embody a variety of virtues and characteristics, including:

• Wisdom and longevity
• Strength and power
• Tranquility, meditation, and the subconscious
• Spirituality, masculinity and prosperity
• Sexual desire and passion

Before you leave, equip yourself with one of our dragon necklaces or pendants , they will protect you from bad luck.