There weren't always dragons in the Valley. A History of Dragons in World Mythology

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. A History of Dragons in World Mythology

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Dragons have been a part of humanity’s oral traditions for millennia, and they continue to be an important fixture in our collective unconscious, appearing in ancient cultures around the world. The word dragon comes from the Anglo-Saxon word dreorg (meaning cruel), and is believed to have been used as a poetic device for any large and dangerous animal. In many European countries, there are still remnants of these ancient beliefs that have persisted through time. For example, there are 18 counties in Great Britain with populations over 50% that speak Welsh, which is a Celtic language. A History of Dragons in World Mythology It’s not surprising, then, that these legends would find their way into local folklores after being brought with the earliest settlers. We can see this phenomenon taking place across the globe as more and more people settle into an area - they bring their own cultural traditions with them, either consciously or unconsciously. For example, before Europeans started settling New Zealand, Maori legends had already spread through much of the country. There are also several different stories about how dragons came to be in every culture except for Asian ones: some say magic caused them to appear spontaneously; others believe they once lived amongst humans but lost their connection with them; while others believe that dragons were created from stone by a god who didn’t understand what he was doing.

The Dragon in Chinese Mythology

Chinese mythology refers to a great many different creatures, with some Chinese folktales even featuring creatures that are right at home in other mythologies, such as mermaids and vampire bats. It’s no surprise, then, that there is a specific dragon in Chinese mythology. The first mention of the dragon is in the mythology of the Xia, which once ruled all of China. This dragon was said to have lived in the sea and to have had nine sons with nine different goddesses. The Xia were overthrown by the Shang, who had a somewhat less favorable opinion of the dragon. When the Xia were restored to power and the dragon restored to his position, the Xia were overthrown again. This time, the dragon was killed in battle by the emperor of the Qin and thus resulted in the end of the Xia dynasty.

Dragons in Japanese Mythology

Japanese mythology is home to several fascinating creatures that are perfectly at home in other mythologies, such as the dog-headed creature that is actually a wolf and the bird god that is actually a swan. Among the dragons, there is a kind of dragon that is said to live in a lake in the Japanese Alps that is fed by a hidden spring that flows under the lake. These kind of dragons are believed to be a kind of oarfish that can shoot out of the lake when startled, and they are a crucial part of the Japanese mountain culture. Many other kinds of dragons are also said to live in Japanese mythology, but there are few as famous as the star-showering dragon that lived in the sky.

Dragons in Indian Mythology

The Indian epic Mahabharata is full of tales of dragons and other fantastical creatures, and there are many different kinds of dragons in Indian mythology. One kind of dragon is the wish-granting yakshi, which is still occasionally summoned in the hope that it will grant wishes for its summoners. This is often done by those who have been wronged, and in many tales the Yakshi is tricked into granting their wishes. Another kind of dragon is the nāga, which is believed to live deep in the hills and loiter around holy sites. Many of these nāga are benevolent, and they can be called upon by ritually sprinkling sacred water on the ground.

Dragons in Norse Mythology

In Norse mythology, we find stories about the Æsir, who were the gods of the ancient Germanic people. Among the Æsir were the Vanir, who were the gods of nature. There was also a race of giants called the jötun, who were at war with the gods. However, along with all of these different races of people, there were also tales of dragons in the mythology of the Norse. Many tales of dragons in Norse mythology involve a man and a woman who are both marked by the gods as destined to become dragons.

Dragons in Welsh and Celtic Mythology

In Welsh and Celtic mythology, we find more tales of humans and non-humans becoming dragons, but it may also be possible to find tales of dragons transforming themselves into humans. In many of these stories, there is a man who is born a dragon but who eventually falls in love and marries a woman. The woman may be human and thus turn back into a human at the end of the story, or she may be a dragon. There are also many different types of dragons in Welsh and Celtic mythology, and these dragons may have been inspired by real animals.

Dragons in Sumerian and Babylonian Mythology

Sumerian and Babylonian mythology are both ancient, and both are rich in tales about gods, demons, and monsters that are entirely original to their cultures. However, most of these myths have been lost to time and thus can only be found in written form. That being said, there are many myths that have been passed down for thousands of years that are still remembered by the people who tell them today. One of these myths is about the dragons of Sumerian and Babylonian mythology. These dragons were believed to be serpents that had the heads of animals, and they were said to be created by an inattentive god.

Dragons in European Folklore

European folklore is full of extraordinary creatures that were brought to the continent by early settlers or simply evolved in the wild. Some of these creatures are still thriving in the present day, while others are on the verge of extinction. One of the most famous of these creatures in folklore is the European dragon. These creatures are part of many European stories, and they may be found in the folklore of many different countries. In many cases, the dragon is a helpful creature that offers protection and fights evil, but in others, the dragon is portrayed as a monster that must be slain. It’s easy to see how these stories of dragons could have spread from one culture to another.

Conclusion

The dragon has existed in human culture for thousands of years, from ancient times to the present day. However, there are many different species of dragon in this vast variety of myths, leaving it difficult to determine which dragon is the most important. Some of the most famous dragons are the Chinese Dragon, the Japanese Dragon, the Welsh Dragon, the Celtic Dragon, and many more. These dragons come from different cultures, but they all share one thing in common: they are all fantastically powerful and mysterious creatures.