The oldest culture in the world to utilize dragons in their
mythology and beliefs, are the Chinese. For them, the dragon is
a divine, mythical creature that brings good fortune, prosperity
and bounty. It is the symbol of emperors and imperial rule, and
its legends have shaped a good portion of modern Chinese
culture.

The dragon is a positive force, and represents
power, excellence, and striving for goals, as well as being a
benevolent force, which radiates goodwill, good luck, and
blessings. Shrines to them can be found in many places in China,
usually near the sea, since Eastern dragons tended to be water
creatures.

In Eastern culture, the dragon represents the
essential forces of Nature. While Emperors consulted them as
revered advisors, they did not always follow that advice, and
consequently the dragons’ anger would either produce storms and
floods though the clouds they breathed out, or such things as
water shortages, when they beat their tails about, and emptied
lakes and rivers. A dragon’s celestial breath, known as sheng
chi, bestows warmth from the sun, wind from the ocean, soil from
the Earth, and water from rain.

The number nine figures
in many aspects of dragon worship in Chinese culture, for
example, the nine ways in which they are shown: On the
screws of fiddles because they are said to like music On top
of bells and gongs, because they call out loudly On the
bottom of stone statues, since dragons can support heavy weights
On the top of writing tablets, because dragons are fond of
literature On bridges, because dragons are associated with
water On the eaves of temples, because dragons guard against
danger On Buddha’s throne, where dragons rest On prison
gates, which represent trouble-making dragons On the hilt of
swords, because dragons can slaughter their enemies In
Western culture, the dragon developed a very different persona,
which many aficionados claim is misinterpretation of the tales
in which their stories are told. Where Eastern dragons are
perceived as good and benevolent, western dragons are all fire,
and flinging their tails about, and biting heads off. In
reality, if you read a broad range of literature from both
hemispheres, you’ll find that eastern dragons sometimes took a
notion to be bad characters, and in the west, there are dragons
whose whole existence was to serve and protect a kingdom, or
prince, and they display the most sterling qualities of loyalty
and sacrifice.

Part of the reason it is so hard to
define what constitutes a dragon, is the wide variance in their
physical images. In Eastern culture the dragon started out as an
elongated, almost serpentine creature, usually, but not always
showing four shortened legs, and a spaded tail. They were
covered in scales, had a crest on the head, and were brightly
colored in many hues. In Western culture, the traditional image
of the dragon is of an almost reptilian animal, usually green,
with wings like a bat, and breathing fire. Some also have
feathers. Which is likely what leads to confusing dragons with
gryphons (leonine in the hind quarters and raptor-like in the
front quarters) and the phoenix (a mythical bird).

As
the mythology of dragons in both cultures became shared through
world travel, the line between the two images blurred, so that
some Western representations, now show a definite eastern
influence.

Today, the popularity of science fiction, and
such role-playing games as Dungeons
and Dragons, means that dragon figurines are a hot
commodity. From pewter
or other metal game pieces, to wood carvings, Chinese jade and
crystal, the dragon has become a symbol of magic and mystery, a
tangible piece of other worlds, that can be held in our hand,
and admired for the exquisite craftsmanship put into every
piece. Whether they are hand cast pottery, or hand-blown glass,
dragon figurines add a splash of brilliance to a desktop,
bookcase, or display pedestal, where they can rule over their
kingdom.

Notable Dragons The Tarasque
dragon-like monster of Tarascon, France, was charmed and led
back into the city by St. Martha, where he was stoned to death
by the people. Dragonroot, also known as Jack-in-the-pulpit.
Used for medicinal purposes, but only after the root is dried.
Taken internally while fresh it causes death by gastroenteritis.
Leviathan, a biblical creature who has wrapped his body
around the Earth, and holds its tail in its mouth, lest the
Earth fall apart.