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2009-06-05 18:49:31

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Dragons

of Religion

From Famous Dragon Names
From Dragons in Mythology and Religion
Found At:
http://pebblez.com/information/myth-religion-dragon-names.html

Dragons are a part of our collective history. They have been with us for as long as we have written down our stories. They are the terror, and the wonder, the magic that binds us to worlds beyond site. The dragon is a symbol, that powerfully embodies ideals and archetypes which have always shaped the world through thought

The Leviathan

Appearances: The Bible, Legends
Symbolism: ego, evil, end of the world

Sometimes referred to as Oroborus, this giant serpent of the water is one of the oldest and most menacing of dragons. In different versions of legend, this dragon has different appearances. Sometimes he has many heads, sometimes he has just one that is constantly devouring its tail in an endless cycle around nd the earths oceans.

In the bible, the leviathan is one of the first creatures to be created in the depths of the ocean.
Generally associated with evil and satan, this beast is said to be one of the Devil's warriors that will rise up to fight against the Good in the final battle. Other tales tell that the Leviathan will circle the earth until the end of the world when it will devour everything in the universe.

The symbolism of the eternal circle makes the Leviathan a reminder of the infinite, but the break that comes at his teeth as it devours his tail shows that change is constant and harsh. The Leviathan is an ancient myth of the sea, and has been a fear for sailors for many generations. The fear is both that they may be attacked and eaten by it, and that it signals the end of the flat earth and missing it may cause them to fall off the edge.

Typhon

Appearances: Ancient Greek Mythology

This dragon is a tremendous beast that can hurl entire mountains at his enemies. He is most famous for his battles against Zeus and the other greek deitys. He was originally the last son of Gai, in conjunction with Tartarus. This means he was created from mother nature and the void, making him immensely powerful and dangerous

After his birth he was whelped in a cave and then taken to turkey where he raged against the humans. Hearing about this monster, Zeus led an expedition of olympians to battle the beast. Unfortunately they were beaten, Zeus had his thighs cut, and was stuffed in a sack

After escaping, Zeus and the other Olympians fled to Egypt. However Zeus was outraged when called a coward, and returned single handedly to fight the monster. After engaging in a titanic struggle, Zeus managed to smash the monster underneath a mountain, Mount Aetna, and restore peace to the setting.

Typhon seams to be a compilation of Greek, Hittite, and Arabic traditions. He is known as the master of volcanic explosions, or dangerous winds and of violent heated areas. He is said to be monstrously large with a thousand vicious heads and a thousands snakes rising from his legs.

With Echidna, he birthed most of the monsters of legend including the chimera, and Cerebus

Refrences: "an instinct for dragons" By David E. Jones

Lucifer

Appearances: the new testament
Symbolism: evil

While this denizen of darkness is most famous as a snake or goat footed demon, he is also often noted for taking the form of a dragon. Some say that he was the original Dragon. Others claim that he uses the shape just to terrify humans. Either way his name has been associated with dragons for ages.

In the old testament the word Dragon most often refers to some sea creature or snake of enormous size. In this way the reference may even be to a non religious animal. In the new testament however, the word Dragon is almost always associated with satan or one of his minions. The Apocalyptic stories especially refer to the dragon satan. This is probably due to the highly symbolic nature of these writings.

As far as conventional dragons go satan is highly vulnerable, in that direct reference to true goodness will weaken him. However, lack of purity will strengthen him. This may be why knights in the middle ages were so on guard about virtue, lest they run into a satanic dragon. Sunlight, prayers, and religious symbols are the best way to combat this beast, his terror may be too difficult to repel with simple strength, and arms will have to be helped somehow.

Roman mud dragon

Symbolism: the test of purity
Appearances: Roman Myths

This dragon is an ancient roman myth. Its existence demonstrates the Roman ideals of purity and cleanliness.

The dragon took up residence outside of a prominent roman city, in the mud pits. For centuries he acted as the chief protection of this city, fiercely destroying any enemy that dared attack it. However he was a dangerous guardian that required a high price for his services. Every month the town had to perform a ritual which, at its height, sent a pure virgin with a basket of food into the dragons mud cave. The maiden then had to feed the monster the food from the basket with her own hands. If her purity flagged during the feeding, the dragon would eat her. If her purity was total and she did not flinch in her duty, she was returned safely.

References: "an instinct for dragons" by david e jones

Jormungander
The Midgar Serpent

Appearances: The Aesire Norse Sagas

At the beginning of the world, Odin ordered that this snake be thrown into the ocean. There it would bite its own tail and swim around the earth until the end of the world

The serpent reappears several times in the sagas, often facing thor in combat. Their final confrontation during Ragnarok was a tremendous battle with thunderbolts flying and teeth slashing. Finally thor overcame him and won the day for his side.

references: "an instinct for dragons" by david e jones

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Dragons on File

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