Dragons in History--Ancient World / Global

Eastern | Middle-Eastern | Western
> Global

Dec 08: This is a new section I'll be working on, as and when I've the time.

PS: Thanks to Sam Payton, for getting me started on this =P.

The Universal Concept in Ancient Cultures

Dragon history is almost universal throughout the world's ancient cultures. Societies throughout the world have records of the dragon. Might this point to the witnessing of these creatures during their lifetimes?

Dragon History & Dinosaurs

The dragons of legend are much like the great reptiles (dinosaurs), which inhabited the earth long before man is supposed to have appeared on earth.

Dinosaur bones (left) versus Dragon bones (right).

Left: Pleiosaur fossil at Berkeley.
Right: Bone Dragon © Emily Elizabeth Bradford.

Paleontology (the earth science that studies fossils) is relatively new. The concept of dinosaurs (giant lizards) only surfaced in its present form about 200 years ago. Before that, anyone who found a large fossilized bone assumed it came from an elephant, dragon or giant. "Science" was not attached to these finds.

In 1842, the English scientist Richard Owens suggested that the group of "newly discovered" animals be called "dinosaurs," which he defined as "fearfully-great lizards."

Dragon History: An Overview of the Evidence

Where do the accounts of dragon history originate from? One can start with the Bible, the most widely published book in history. The word "dragon" in the Bible is used throughout the Old Testament, and most directly translates as "sea or land monsters."

Dragon accounts from China, Europe, the Middle East, and ancient Latin America share similar accounts of dragons. Some cultures revered these creatures. In other cultures, it was a great honor to slay these creatures. Famous legends with this concept include those of Gilgamesh, Fafnir, and Beowulf.

[full size]: Mayan Calendar / Dragon Sculpture.
Pic from: Karal Studio.

Dragon history is revealed on numerous objects of ancient art around the world. They are featured on Babylonian landmarks, Roman mosaics, Asian pottery and royal robes, Egyptian shrouds and seals, Peruvian burial stones, Mayan sculptures, Aboriginal and Native American petroglyphs (carved rock drawings). That's an impressive and astounding number of cultures.

References:

Knox Wilson, "Dragon", The World Book Encyclopedia, Vol. 5,
1973, pg. 265.)

Dragon History - Ancient Accounts:
http://www.allaboutcreation.org/dragon-history.htm

more to come soon--dec 08