Making connections to humanity and the modern world
with the study of the science and history of dragons.
Embedded Files
Become a member
Become a member
Etymology
In Greece, the dragon was known as “Drakon.” The word drakon is derived from the root “darc,” an Indo-European word for “to look at/observe/see clearly.” In many ancient cultures, snakes or serpents were seen as protectors and guardians due to their famously unwavering gaze. In most ancient cultures, (aside from the Asian dynasties who used the words “Long/Lung” in China and “Yong” in Korea to exclusively mean dragon), the word for “serpent” and “dragon” was the same, and how the word is translated depends on which historian is translating it. Most ancient dragons were depicted as giant sea-dwelling serpents.
DRAGON TYPES
European
A scaled reptilian beast typically depicted with powerful legs, large wings and horns.
Amphiptere
A winged serpent with no legs.
Basilisk
A giant serpent with no legs or wings.
Drake
A smaller four-legged dragon, usually wingless.
Lindwurm
A Germanic dragon with two legs and two wings, but more snake-like in movement and build.
Western Dragon
A six-limbed dragon with four legs and two large wings, capable of breathing fire.
Wyvern
A four-limbed dragon with two legs and two wings.
Wyrm
Legless and wingless dragons. Sometimes referred to as the more ancient race of dragons.
Asian
Eastern
A serpentine dragon, usually with four legs and no wings, with long whiskers or more mane-like hair around the face. Sometimes depicted with small wings.
Jiaolong
An Eastern dragon with scales, also associated with floods.
Qiulung/Jiulong
An Eastern dragon with horns said to be the mightiest. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Qilong
An Eastern dragon without horns.
Tianlong
A celestial dragon associated with Heaven. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Yinglong
A 1000-year old dragon with wings. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Shenlong
A dragon in control of rain and wind. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Panlong
A dragon associated with time. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Fuzanglong
A dragon associated with treasure. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Dilong
An underworld dragon that controls waters. The feminine version of Shenlong. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Huanglong
A yellow dragon associated with imperialism. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types.
Longwang
The King of Dragons. One of the ancient Nine Dragon Types. (Ryongwang in Korea)
Feilong
A dragon associated with flight. “Teng” or “Tengshe”, “Soaring Snake”, have also been used in texts to describe a flying dragon.
Jiang
A two-headed rainbow dragon in Chinese mythology.
Traits and Characteristics
Fire breathing
Treasure Hoarding
Maiden Sacrifices
Intelligence
Long Life
Magic
For a full and in-depth look at dragon facts, including:
diet
environment
reproduction
anatomy and physiology
timeline
First depictions and documentations of dragons
the origins of dragon traits and characteristics
see the "Dragons 101" course.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse