Dreamt-Up Dragons Through the Ages: A Survey of 13 Legendary Species
In the realm of myth and legend, dragons take on many forms, each with its own unique characteristics. This article, created in collaboration with AI technology and fact-checked by a HowStuffWorks editor, delves into the diverse world of dragons.
Let's start with the Western Dragons, the large, legendary creatures often found in medieval tales. They have a body, four legs, two wings, and a barbed tail. In contrast, Chinese Dragons, also known as Long, have a serpentine body, long neck, whiskered head, and often four short legs. They are symbols of power and good fortune.
Moving on, we encounter the Serpentine Dragons, a common form of dragons in Asia. These dragons have a long, snake-shaped body and few or no limbs. They can glide through clouds or swim like a serpent.
The world of dragons is not limited to these traditional forms. Miscellaneous Dragons defy neat boxes and include multi-headed brutes, earth-boring wyrms with four short legs, or hybrids that mimic other creatures. Some have wings without legs; some have legs without wings.
Drake Dragons are small dragons with no wings or only stunted ones, and short legs built for running. On the other end of the spectrum, we have the Sky Dragons, aerial rain and wind deities who can manipulate weather patterns. Shenlong and Tianlong are examples of such sky dragons.
Gem Dragons, with their crystalline scales and special powers like mind magic, are often neutral and prefer to be sipped like fine philosophy rather than fought.
Chromatic Dragons, including red, blue, green, black, and white dragons, tend to be the villains, with a red dragon often topping the "strongest dragon" lists. However, it's important to note that not all dragons are evil. Metallic Dragons, such as gold, silver, and bronze dragons, usually help humans and can shape-shift into human form. They are the wise elders of many dragons.
The world of dragons is not just confined to myth and legend. They are a popular subject in contemporary culture, appearing in diverse media from detailed traditional dragon art to myth-inspired theater performances, children's storytelling events, and exhibitions engaging historical and fantastical narratives involving dragons.
Some traditions even feature Dragon Gods or entire pantheons of dragon rulers, like the Dragon Kings who govern the seas in East Asia.
Lastly, we have Wyverns, dragon-like creatures with two legs and two wings, not four legs, and are common in heraldry.
This list is not exhaustive, as there are many more types of dragons waiting to be discovered. Whether they are feared as powerful adversaries or revered as wise guardians, dragons continue to captivate our imagination and inspire stories across cultures.
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