The Dragon In Greek Mythology

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten” (Gaiman). Within mythology of various cultures, the ideas presented by dragons have given moral lessons that have defined civilization. Thus, these mythological creatures have fortified mysterious realms that represented areas that humans did not fully understand or moral spheres that individuals endeavored to discover meaning. Consequently, by slaying the dragon, humans were conquering communal fears, uncertainties, and suspicions found within the natural world. These insecurities were presented in the form of both internal and external stimuli. Even though, each culture presented different types of dragons, morality

The basis of the dragon developed through the Totem Worship Theory. As an aboriginal icon of the Chinese nationality, it dates to the Neolithic period. Consequently, the sacred animals depicted in the legend refer to creatures that bring plenty, success and moral fortune. Its generosity signifies prominence, decency and sanctification; it symbolizes merit, valiancy and confidence, heroism, determination, dignity and holiness found within civilization. However, the dragons of this specific culture are grounded with the depiction of known creatures. Examples of this can be found with the dragon’s physical attributes such as the eyes, antlers, manes, scales, or tails similar to creatures of the natural world. These attributes allow a connection or correlation to known world and help in understanding specific religious beliefs. In the myth of Tien Lung it supports, “the foundations of the celestial temples of the gods. Some sources claim they held up the high palaces of the gods, while others claim that the celestial dragon holds up the entire heavens, guarding the mansions of the gods” (McCormick). By allowing Tien Lung to separate the heavens and the earth the dragon has taken on religious connotations. Therefore, the dragon held power over the both the natural and religious domains. This correlation between nature can be seen in the myth of the “Pearl and the River Dragon”. In this narrative the a boy is given a chance to save society from a drought that has been caused by nature. After the boy drank from the river, “he began to turn into a dragon. Now everyone knew what this pearl was - it was the Pearl of the River Dragon, the dragon's most coveted and beloved treasure. …The village did benefit from this, however. As he turned into a dragon, he brought the much-needed rain and carved the river, his way of saying farewell”