Originally posted on 22 September 2018. Last updated 9 May 2020.
A collection of photos depicting dragons around the world.
Featuring sculptures at temples and more.
Dragons in Italy
Thanks to Dali from Dalibro.com for sharing the following two pictures!
Dali is passionate about travel, adventure, and outdoor photography. 📷
He says:
“I do not bump into dragons very often but as a very passionate Harry Potter fan, I’ve got a weak spot for them. These two photos are from the beautiful town of Siena, Italy, which is historically divided into 17 parts (contrades), each having an animal symbol / mascot. You can find these mascots on street lamps, on the walls, flags, or decently hidden on other street objects. And yep — one of them is a dragon (il drago)!
These town parts are basically neighbor communities but twice a year there is the famous horse race called “Il palio” taking place right on the main square of Siena (also dramatically featured in the movie Quantum of Solace :D).”
Lantern Festival Dragons
LANTERN FESTIVAL:
The Lantern Festival, also known as the Spring Lantern Festival, is a festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st month in the Chinese calendar. The days marks the completion of the traditional celebrations related to Chinese New Year.
It became a festival with significance as early as during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-CE 25).
During the festival, children go out to temples at night while carrying paper lanterns. In ancient times, lanterns were quite simple, and only royalty and noblemen had big ornate ones. In the modern era, lanterns are embellished with complex designs. For example, lanterns often are made in the form of animals.
The lanterns symbolize people releasing their past selves and attaining new ones. The lanterns are frequently colored red to symbolize good fortune.
Reference: Wikipedia
Dragons Around the World: Japan
FUJIYOSHIDA:
There are more than a 1,000 Fuji Sengen shrines across Japan, that are dedicated to Princess Konohanasakuya. The princess is the Shinto deity associated with Mount Fuji.
Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine is the main Sengen Shrine on the northern side of the mountain. The head shrine of them is Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha on the mountain’s opposite side in Fujinomiya.
Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine stands in a dense forest. It is set off from the road through a long approach lined by stone lanterns and shaded by tall cedar trees. The red painted buildings of the shrine include a main hall dating from 1615, a dancing stage, and a few auxiliary buildings.
Reference: Japan Guide
Dragons Around the World: Sculpture, Boat, and Pillar
Check out our small (for now) collection of dragon travel photos on the blog.