Where do dragon images first appear?

Dragon images first appear in the art of the Near East (Mesopotamia) and East Asia over 4000 years ago.

What do dragons symbolize?

The dragon is a symbol of untamed nature/chaos and also a protective agent defending civilization and the works of God (or the gods) from those very forces.

Do dragons appear in the Bible?

Yes, dragons are featured in the biblical books of Daniel and Revelation and, according to some scholars, in Job where Leviathan is identified as a dragon.

Who is the best-known dragon from mythology?

Fafnir from Germanic folklore and the Völsung Cycle is the best-known dragon from mythology along with the creature whose creation he influenced, Smaug, from The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.

A Gallery of Dragons from Around the World (Image Gallery) p. 4

Image Gallery

by Joshua J. Mark
published on 01 October 2024

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Chinese Pig-Dragon Sculpture

by LACMA
published on 24 January 2019

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Chinese Pig-Dragon Sculpture — View Full-Size Image

A Chinese pig-dragon sculpture. China, probably Yunnan Province, Yuan dynasty, 1279-1368.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

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Questions & Answers

Where do dragon images first appear?: Dragon images first appear in the art of the Near East (Mesopotamia) and East Asia over 4000 years ago.
What do dragons symbolize?: The dragon is a symbol of untamed nature/chaos and also a protective agent defending civilization and the works of God (or the gods) from those very forces.
Do dragons appear in the Bible?: Yes, dragons are featured in the biblical books of Daniel and Revelation and, according to some scholars, in Job where Leviathan is identified as a dragon.
Who is the best-known dragon from mythology?: Fafnir from Germanic folklore and the Völsung Cycle is the best-known dragon from mythology along with the creature whose creation he influenced, Smaug, from The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.

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External Links

8 of the Most Famous Dragons in Mythology and Books

bookriot.com

The Starbucks mermaid: Melusine – Signe Maene

signemaene.com

Natural History of Dragons

amnh.org

Wise, lucky, terrifying: The surprising 4,000-year history of dragons

bbc.com

License & Copyright

Original image by LACMA. Uploaded by Mark Cartwright, published on 24 January 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Public Domain. This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.