A Dragon's Disposition

Do you recollect story time when you were young and the tales of fierce fire-breathers storming neighborhoods and eating man, woman, and children alike, only to be killed by a handsome, bold knight in shining armor? There was always a attractive (and rich) princess that the knight would be rescuing and would later marry.

The tales of my childhood were overflowing with young ladies in distress and people-eating dragons. It was more than once that I asked my dad to look under the bed or in my closet to be sure that there were no evil critters in there.

A little later in life I discovered the horrendous evil critters waiting for me in Greek and Roman Mythology. Hercules, the son of Zeus and a mere mortal, slew the Hydra, the nine-headed serpentine dragon.

A couple years later, I read Beowulf, albeit not by choice. Again in this account we come across the greedy, evil beast of a dragon failing against our robust, honorable hero.

The description of mythological dragons as evil beings was on the silver screen too in films like Reign of Fire and Dungeons and Dragons. And you can’t overlook Godzilla, although most will say that he was some variety of dinosaur/iguana, but at least one of his foes was a dragon.

In these stories, no child, woman, or city was safe from the wrath of a dragon.

However, in the midst of all these horror tales, I also heard a few not so creepy ones: Pete's Dragon and Puff the Magic Dragon. A friendly, peaceful one. I saw more of this variety of dragon in The Never Ending story and Dragonheart (both I and II). The beasts weren't anything like what I had been hearing about in the other choices of stories. How could this be?

The short answer is they were from the East. Throughout Eastern customs, notably the Chines, dragons have been regarded in the highest esteem. In the East (as well as a few other philosophies such as Feng Shui, Celtic, Draconia Wicca, Gnostic, and Alchemy), the dragon embodies a supreme being offering hope, courage, and prosperity. It is also a symbol of transformation, personal and spiritual quest, and wisdom.
Where in the tales I had heard before dragons are guards of treasures and prisoners, in this new philosophy they are protectors of not only people and valuables, but of spiritual perfection, itself. Yet every dragon, Eastern or Western, ally or foe, is a symbol of power.When I glance around the room I’m sitting in, I see a resin fantasy dragon figure of two creatures viciously fighting. Upon seeing this figurine, I don’t think of evil, instead I think strength and power. On the other side of the room (on the east side per Feng Shui guidelines) is a Chinese dragon carved out of a dark wood—it makes me feel serene.

Dragons are often depicted as unruly, fire-breathing creatures that are bringers of destruction and will take down anything in their path. We see this in tales and books and motion pictures in both Western and Eastern history. However, these magical beings are also the guardians of spirituality and kismat. Do you think that a dragon is buddy or enemy?

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Jeff Bronson is the owner of Obscuria.com, a darkly unique Gothic shop. Obscuria offers a quality selection of dragon figurines and dragon collectibles, and many custom made, exclusive in the U.S items.

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