|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Dragon
DragonA monster of enormous size, common to almost all countries. Descriptions of its appearance vary, but it is of reptilian nature, often red or green in color, sometimes with several heads that spew fire and vapors, and a large tail, not unlike some dinosaurs. It is of enormous strength, but the ancients believed that it could be charmed by music, and the dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece of Greek legend was soothed by the voice of Medea. In India at the time of Alexander the Great, a dragon was worshiped as a god, while in occult history it is the manifestation of hell. The dragon, however, is best known in legendary history as the monster whose duty it is to provide the hero with opportunities of valor. There is a legend of St. George and the Dragon and also the dragon that was slain by Sir Lancelot, one of the knights of King Arthur 's Round Table. In the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament) the word tannin, commonly rendered "dragon" in older English translations, generally refers to a variety of animals such as crocodiles, jackals, and serpents, but occasionally to the dragon (Ezek. 29:3; 32:3). In Chapter 12 of the biblical book of Revelation, the dragon, a representation of the Evil One, is overcome by the archangel Michael. The dragon became a symbol of great strength in the European Middle Ages. In the fifteenth century, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire founded the Order of the Dragon to unite Christian rulers against the incursions of the Turkish Muslims into the Balkans. Among those invested with the order was Prince Vlad of Wallachia (Romania). He assumed the name Vlad Dracul, dracul being the Romanian word for dragon. His son took the diminutive form of the name as Prince Vlad Dracula. During the time of Henry VII (1457-1509), a coin was given to those who were cured of possession with one side featuring an angel standing with both feet on a dragon. The idea of the dragon is perhaps evolved from the concept of the earth as a living being, a notion that gained currency from earthquakes and related phenomena. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Dragon." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Dragon." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403801453.html "Dragon." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403801453.html |
|
dragon
dragon a mythical monster like a giant reptile. In European tradition the dragon is typically fire-breathing and tends to symbolize chaos or evil, whereas in the Far East it is usually a beneficent symbol of fertility, associated with water and the heavens.
In medieval Norse and Germanic legends, dragons are often shown as guardians of treasure-hoards terrorizing the surrounding countryside; the dragon killed by Beowulf in his final battle is a typical example. A dragon is the emblem of St George, St Margaret of Antioch, St Martha, St Sylvester (d. 335), Pope from 314 to 335, and the 6th-century Welsh-born St Armel, Breton abbot who is said to have captured a dragon and disposed of it by ordering it to plunge into the river below Mont-Saint-Armel. Dragon is also used for any of (originally) four Asian countries, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, which developed booming economies based on high-technology exports. The word is recorded from Middle English (also denoting a large serpent), and comes via Old French and Latin from Greek drakōn ‘serpent’. dragon boat a traditional type of Chinese rowing boat, decorated at the prow and stern with figures of the head and tail of a dragon, used in racing at an annual Spring festival, said to originate in ancient China. Dragon Lady a domineering, powerful, or belligerent woman; from the name of a villainous Asian female character in the comic strip ‘Terry and the Pirates’, drawn by the American cartoonist Milton Caniff (1907–1988). dragon ship a Viking longship ornamented with a beaked prow. dragon's teeth the teeth of the dragon killed by Cadmus in Greek legend, which when sown in the ground sprouted up as armed men; the expression sow dragon's teeth, meaning take action that (perhaps unintentionally) brings trouble about, derives from this. here be dragons alluding to a traditional indication of early map-makers that a region was unexplored and potentially dangerous. See also chase the dragon. |
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "dragon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "dragon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-dragon.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "dragon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-dragon.html |
|
dragon
dragon [OFr. dragon, from L, Gk. roots]. The fabulous, winged, fire-breathing reptile plays an important role in the Welsh imagination but less so in Irish and other Celtic literatures; the presence of snakes in Wales and their absence in Ireland may account for this. The national symbol of Wales is Y Ddraig Goch [the red dragon], to be distinguished from gwiber [viper], the word for dragon in other contexts. As in other European traditions, the dragon usually represents elemental power, often that of the earth. Celtic dragons often live at the bottom of deep lakes or guard trees. With the introduction of Christianity, the dragon comes to represent paganism, as in the story of St George. The agnomen of the Welsh-based Arthurian figure Uthr Bendragon/Uther Pendragon [W, dragon's head (?), foremost leader (?)] signals the beast's admirable qualities. Linguistic evidence implies that many dragons in Celtic tradition are borrowed from non-Celtic sources, e.g. Ir. dragún; Manx dragane; Corn. dragon; Bret. dragon. ScG employs both dràgon and beithir, which may derive from the Norse for bear.
Two dragons harass Britain every Calan Mai [May Eve] midnight in Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys [The Meeting of Lludd and Llefelys]. Lludd entombs two dragons at Dinas Emrys. The Irish hero Fráech kills a dragon at the beginning of the action of Táin Bó Fraích [The Cattle Raid of Fráech]. A dragon swallows Dáire (3), the son of Fionn, but he escapes. A creature, perhaps a dragon, named oilliphéist [Ir., great beast/worm], fled from St Patrick, thus cutting the Shannon valley on his way. The Breton St Pol of Léon is sometimes pictured with a dragon. The dragon may be known as a ‘firedrake’ in some translations of Celtic stories. Bibliography See J. J. Campbell , The Celtic Dragon Myth (Edinburgh, 1911; repr. New York, 1973) |
|
|
Cite this article
JAMES MacKILLOP. "dragon." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "dragon." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-dragon.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "dragon." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-dragon.html |
|
dragon
dragon mythical beast usually represented as a huge, winged, fire-breathing reptile. For centuries the dragon has been prominent in the folklore of many peoples; thus, its physical characteristics vary greatly and include combinations of numerous animals. The dragon has often been associated with evil. In many legends a dragon had the ability to wreak havoc upon a land and therefore had to be either propitiated by a human sacrifice, or killed; it was also often the guardian of a treasure or a maiden. The highest achievement of a hero in medieval legend was the slaying of a dragon, as in the story of St. George. King Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon (dragon's head), also killed a dragon. The giant red dragon of the Apocalypse (Rev. 12) gave rise to the use of the beast as symbolic of Satan in Christian art and literature. In ancient China the dragon was associated with fertility and prosperity. Many of the beliefs connected with the dragon are echoed in snake worship . |
|
|
Cite this article
"dragon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-dragon.html "dragon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-dragon.html |
|
dragon
drag·on / ˈdragən/ • n. 1. a mythical monster like a giant reptile. In European tradition the dragon is typically fire-breathing and tends to symbolize chaos or evil, whereas in the Far East it is usually a beneficent symbol of fertility, associated with water and the heavens. ∎ derog. a fierce and intimidating person, esp. a woman. 2. another term for flying dragon. ∎ see Komodo dragon. 3. hist. (in the 16th and 17th centuries) a short musket carried on the belt of a soldier, esp. a mounted infantryman. ∎ a soldier armed with such a musket. Compare with dragoon. |
|
|
Cite this article
"dragon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dragon.html "dragon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dragon.html |
|
dragon
dragon Mythical scaly lizard, snake or fire-breathing monster. Often depicted with wings, talons and a lashing tail. In some traditions it has many heads, or changes shape at will. Sometimes, such as the tale of St George and the dragon, it is used symbolically as the personification of evil. In China and Japan, the dragon is identified with a beneficent force of nature.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"dragon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-dragon.html "dragon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-dragon.html |
|
Dragon
Dragon M-47 a portable antitank weapon, consisting of a round (missile and launcher) and a tracker that provides antitank or assault fire for targets such as emplaced weapons or fortifications.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Dragon." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Dragon." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Dragon.html "Dragon." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Dragon.html |
|
dragon
dragon XIII. — (O)F. — L. dracō, -ōn- — Gr. drákōn, rel. to dérkesthai, aorist drakein see clearly.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "dragon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "dragon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-dragon.html T. F. HOAD. "dragon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-dragon.html |
|
dragon
|
|
|
Cite this article
W. R. F. BROWNING. "dragon." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "dragon." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-dragon.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "dragon." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-dragon.html |
|
dragon
dragon
•deafen
•griffon, stiffen
•antiphon
•hyphen, siphon
•often, soften
•orphan • ibuprofen
•roughen, toughen
•colophon
•dragon, flagon, lagan, pendragon, wagon
•snapdragon • bandwagon • jargon
•Megan
•Copenhagen, pagan, Reagan
•Nijmegen
•Antiguan, Egan, Keegan, Regan, vegan
•Wigan • cardigan • Milligan • polygon
•hooligan • mulligan • ptarmigan
•Branigan • Oregon • Michigan
•Rattigan
•tigon, trigon
•toboggan
•Glamorgan, gorgon, Morgan, morgen, organ
•Brogan, hogan, Logan, slogan
•Cadogan • decagon
•Aragon, paragon, tarragon
•hexagon • pentagon • heptagon
•octagon • Bergen • Spitsbergen
|
|
|
Cite this article
"dragon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-dragon.html "dragon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-dragon.html |
|
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
