Summary

This essay aims to give a basic idea of what a dragon is. It is split into two main sections. The first deals with the problems of defining dragons, and traits common among dragons. The second section covers what dragons are not. Modern misconceptions about how dragons must be are listed. Also some creatures which share many traits with dragons, but are not dragons, are described.

Section One: Common Draconic Traits

In modern times, the idea of what a dragon looks like has become increasingly stereotypical: reptilian, two bat-like wings, four legs, long neck and tail, tail spade, breaths fire, hoards treasure, and is often green. But this was not always the case. Ancient dragons were very diverse in form and behaviour. This diversity makes it difficult to write a definition of what a dragon is. Dictionary definitions are fairly accurate, but give no clue about whether a creature lacking all of the traits a dragon 'usually' has could still be a dragon. Or how to tell a dragon apart from a creature which also has some of these traits.

One answer would be to say that a dragon is any monster which is claimed to be a dragon by the tellers of the myth. There is a big language problem with this approach. In many cultures dragons have a close affinity with some other species. The dividing line between snakes and dragons is particularly small in many cultures. Some serpentine dragons look like giant snakes, and have some snake-like attributes (such as spitting poison). This similarity is reflected in language: often one word can be used to describe a snake or a dragon. Among the Polynesians, Mo'o or Moko1, means a lizard of some type. From language alone the moko of a legend could just as easily be a fearsome dragon, or a cute little gecko.

Probably the most accurate way of deciding what is a dragon, is to compare the creature with other dragons. There are a number of traits that many dragons possess, and a number of themes which appear time and again in the legends. If a creature shares a fair number of these traits and themes, there is a good chance it is a dragon. Below is a checklist of traits which many dragons share. A dragon does not need all (or even most) of these traits to be a dragon. A list of themes from dragon myths will be kept on a separate page (currently under construction), as it is a large topic in its own right.

These are some of the most common traits among dragons. All of these appear in numerous cultures. It is unlikely to find a dragon which does not have at least one of these traits:

* Reptile-like in appearance or behaviour.
* Breathing or spitting fire or poison.
* Living in water, or being associated with water.
* Having control over some aspect of the weather (particularly storms, rain and wind).
* Being able to fly (not necessarily by having wings).

Guarding something (often treasure or knowledge, but it could be a city, maiden, or some other resource. This also leads to comments about a dragon's vigilance, as many of these guardians fight to the death to protect the resource).
Magical/Supernatural powers. Sometimes these are powers displayed by the live dragons, and sometimes magical properties of dead parts of the dragon.

Less Widespread Common Traits:

* Having bird-like traits2 (most commonly feathers).
* Roundals on the wings and/or body.
* Ability to turn into another type of animal (including human).
* Holding a position of power (such as a being a god, or close servant of the gods).

Section Two: What a Dragon is Not

Another important point when deciding what is and is not a dragon, is to beware modern stereotypes. There are many generalisations and stereotypes which are taken to be true of all dragons. They are not. Below are a few of these stereotypes and generalisations. If you are discounting a creature as a dragon because it lacks these, then it is a good idea to think again:

Stereotype 1 - Western dragons are evil, and Eastern dragons are good: there is a general trend for eastern dragons to be more benevolent than their western counterparts. Even so, Eastern dragons are capable of causing total havoc and destruction (and did on many occasions). And there are Western dragons who are kindly towards local humans. For example, there are numerous helpful household dragons in the West3.

Stereotype 2 - Dragons must have legs and wings: Many of the European dragons had no limbs, such as some of the wyrms, and the Midgard Serpent4. Some dragons are sometimes shown with legs, and sometimes without, such as Ouroboros5.

Stereotype 3 - Dragons must be intelligent: There are many dragons who talk in legends, and form cunning plots. However, this is not true of all of them. Some of the polynesian Taniwha show remarkable strength, but not a whole lot of thinking power. The apocrathal dragon in 'Bel and the Dragon' shows no signs of great intelligence. It eats what humans give it, does not talk, and does not have the intelligence to see the threat which kills it.

Stereotype 4 - Mythological dragons are large: Contrary to popular belief, it was not roleplaying games like AD&D that created the fairy dragon. Various forms of fairy dragon, and draconic household spirits, appear in folklore6. In general they are very small. Much smaller than a human.

Based on everything said here, there are a number of creatures which could be mistaken for dragons. Gryphons are one of these creatures. They fly, they hoard gold, and some even have serpent tails. Unlike dragons, gryphons have a limited physical range. They mainly consist of a mix of cat and bird traits. They have bird-like wings and a bird-like head (including beak) with ears. Though other parts of the gryphon vary, they generally have a cat-like back half, with cat back legs, and a bird-like front half, with bird talons for front legs. Gryphons also tend to store their gold in a nest. Bird style nests are not common among dragons.

As was mentioned earlier, dragons and snakes have a lot in common. In mythology, snakes are sometimes attributed with certain powers. Usually these are effects caused by touching the snake. Common examples are healing powers and sexual references (such as changing the sex of anyone who touched them). Neither of these two themes are common among dragons. Snakes also tend to be the size of real snakes.

Conclusion

Defining dragons is a very complex subject, and cannot be done with a few sentences. Even a more elaborate definition, such as this one, has problems classifying some creatures. Ancient sources of dragon information can be hard to translate, and some information may only be found in one source. This means that sources cannot always be crossed checked. Even with good sources, there are some creatures who are borderline cases, such as nagas. Nagas are from India. They are serpents, with human heads. Many have supernatural powers. Nagas would not be the first dragons to look chimeric. Having human parts is not intrinsically different from a dragon having bird wings or fish fins. Dragons already share other human traits (such as intelligence), so why could a dragon not share physical traits too? It is a matter of opinion whether there is a difference in looking like a human, to looking like a bird. Issues like this also contribute to blurring the borderlines of what is a dragon, and what is not a dragon.


Further Reading in The Dragon Stone

1 - Types of Mythological Dragon - Moko

2 - Mythical Origins - Birds

3 - Types of Mythological Dragon - Mlokoky Smij; Zaltys; Zitny Smij

4 - Mythological Dragon List - The Midgard Serpent (Jormungand)

5 - Alchemy - Uroboros

6 - Types of Mythological Dragon - Husormen; Mlokoky Smij; Penezny Smij; Puk; Zaltys; Zitny Smij

- Discusions

- Print version