As I always have been fascinated by dragon stories and because they popped up for me quite a few times just lately, I decided to write a little bit about what is known to me about these mythical creatures. The first known word for a dragon is said to have been written on a clay tablet from ancient Mesopotamia (now part of Iraq I believe) in Sumerian (the oldest written language known) and stated “ušum-gal” with “gal” meaning “big” and “ušum” meaning “snake”.
According to Jay Crisostomo, a professor of ancient Middle Eastern civilisations and languages at the University of Michigan it is suggested in some Sumerian writings, that “ušum-gal” was more a creature of mythology, which had been inspired by snakes but also strangely lions. It is mentioned that in Sumerian culture the of various animals’ traits relating to wisdom, power and protection were combined to the creation of mythical creatures. The ušum-gal was specifically mentioned for its mouth, so I guess that it had a large, gaping maw." The word ušum-gal is said to have been used as a metaphor for a lion and/or in conjunction with lions as part of a royal fearsome trait. In a hymn to the moon god Suen it is said to be stated: 'Born in the mountains and coming forth in joy, he is a powerful force, a lion, a 'dragon' (ušum-gal), a mighty lord. Suen, (with a) mouth like a 'dragon's', ruler of Ur!'" It does sound that this ušum-gal could be a very powerful ruler that can only be defeated by the most powerful humans (wonder if they originally were talking about another wild carnivore present in their environment). Although the Sumerian language does not have any modern-day variants, the word “usumgallu” has been found in Akkadian (an ancient Semitic language) which had been translated as “lion-dragon”.
Another dragon-like creator in Akkadian mythology was named as “mušhuššu” meaning “dragon (similar to the Sumerian “muš huš” meaning “fierce snake”) that is said to have been depicted on the Ishtar Gate from Babylon. The term “dragon” itself has no zoological meaning, but it has been applied in the Latin generic name “draco” which is used to describe a number of small lizards species from the Indo-Malayan region. The name is also commonly applied to the giant , “Varanus komodoensis” (Komodo dragon).
In ancient Egypt the God “Adepi was mentioned as a great serpent of darkness, and the ancient Greeks and Romans seemed to have seen the “drakontes” as an evil power with some useful benefits. The evil reputation of the dragons grew stronger over time until the Christianity used serpentlike creatures as a symbol of sin and paganism In China dragons are said to be sacred beings, being wingless and symbolising luck and blessings. 2024 is actually the year of the dragon being associated with the element wood (the “wood dragon”). The Chinese Lunar New Year started on/around 10 February this year. I clearly remember the Dragon Dance tradition in Singapore (although it was at the end of the 20th century 😊), where Dragon dancing troops went through the shopping centres and streets to invite good luck for their New Year. It was spectacular! According to myths the idea that dragons were totemic symbols used by some prehistoric clans that were inspired real snakes (maybe a giant oceanic python???). When this tribal society became class-based, the dragon became a symbol of rulers. Another theory mentions that the legends might be linked to crocodile-like species, such as the Chinese alligator, which widely populated the marshy floodplains of the lower Yangtze River about seven thousand years ago (unfortunately this alligator is among the most endangered crocodilians in the world now). The noise and spiralling forms of thunder and lightning might have been the inspiration for the development of dragon statues and/or pictures.
Dragons were prayed to for good weather it is said. It was also suggested dragons evolved from the worship of nature itself and they are an amalgamation of numerous animals and weather phenomena. From ancient times it was the emblem of the imperial family, and until the founding of the republic (1911) the dragon adorned the Chinese flag.
In Japan the dragon was, after related cultural aspects from it arrived from China, known as “tatsu” or “ryū” and a wingless creature of the air. It was said to be able to change its size at will and even becoming invisible. They are also found in various myths of Korea, India, and Vietnam. Dragons appear different in different stories and Myths, such as the Chaldean (ancient Semitic Tribe) dragon Tiamat, which had four legs, a scaly body, and wings.
The Greek “Hydra” (an old lake serpent) was said to have many heads and were often used as symbols in war in different cultures such as the ancient “Norse” (i.e. carved dragon like heads at the front of their ships) and ancient “English” (i.e. Uther Pendragon who was mentioned as King Arthur’s father in the Arthurian legend).
I have a few dragon related products listed in my Etsy Shop.