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Mythical Creatures Spotlight: Dragons
Image: "Dryad & Dragon" by Josephine Wall
Our Mythical Creatures Spotlight is a blog feature that takes a deep-dive into mythical creatures, from mermaids to unicorns and all in-between. This week’s spotlight is on: Dragons.
Fire-breathing, treasure-loving, glitter-scaled, mighty-winged...No creature has dominated lore and legend over the centuries quite like the mighty dragon.
The dragon is our mascot here at Dragonspace, and for us, dragons are symbols of luck and protection. We like to think that the dragons on our shelves are guarding the store’s treasures and bringing us good fortune. However, dragons aren’t seen as so benevolent in other tales, where they’re depicted as fearsome beasts to be conquered. This contrast in stories is part of what makes dragon mythology so fascinating.
So where did the legend of the dragon first originate? How do different cultures around the world see the dragon? And how can you harness the elemental power of dragons in your spiritual practice? Read on to find out:
The origins of the dragon
Stories of dragon-like creatures stretch as far back as Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. In Mesopotamian legends, these creatures often resembled serpents or animal hybrids, combining snake, mammal and bird features into a fearsome chimera. Ancient Egypt mythology gives us the legend of Apep - the giant serpent deity - and Ouroboros - the familiar icon of the dragon or snake eating its own tail, which would later become a symbol of alchemy. In these old Egyptian tales, dragon figures are revered rather than feared.
Scholars have long been intrigued as to how dragons have managed to pop up in so many different cultures around the globe. Some theorise that the origin of the dragon myth might come from an inherent human aversion to snakes, common the world over. Others have linked dragon mythology with the age of the dinosaurs, noting similarities between mythical dragons and the real-life prehistoric creatures who once roamed the earth. Whatever the theory, there's definitely something universal about dragon iconography.
The Chinese dragon
One of the most well-known depictions of the dragon is from Chinese culture. The dragon is a sacred symbol in Chinese spirituality, and is actually the highest ranking animal in the Chinese animal hierarchy. Far from being a wicked beast, the Chinese dragon symbolises power, strength and good luck. The Dragon is also one of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, and people whose birthday fall under this sign are believed to be gifted with confidence, ambition and great intellect. In fact, in Ancient China, it was believed that the Emperors were actually descended from dragons, and successful people are still sometimes referred to as 'dragons' to this day. This reverence and respect for dragons in Chinese culture is a welcome contrast to the antagonism shown towards the great beasts in much of European legend.
Dragons in European and British mythology
Dragons appear in many well-known European myths and legends. Beowulf, Saint George and the Dragon, the tales of King Arthur…these stories are iconic, and all feature dragons as enemies to be defeated. Dragons also pop up in Eastern European mythology, from the Polish Wawel dragon to the Russian Zmey Gorynych. In many of these stories, men are made heroes by slaying the dragon and saving the innocent from the clutches of the wicked beasts. In this way, dragons came to symbolise evil, greedy forces that threaten civilised society.
This legend has carried on into more modern tales, such as the wicked Smaug in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. However, in more recent times, we’ve seen the fearsome dragon shown in a more complex light in Western popular culture. George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones series depicts the traditionally fearsome dragon as more of a ‘weapon’, only as wicked as whichever side has control over it. While J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books take a more zoological approach, presenting dragons as a variety of species with different temperaments, some more pleasant than others. Dragons still continue to fascinate the masses, and it's good to see representations shifting. To read more about dragons in popular culture, see our previous blog post here - Puff, Smaug and Other Famous Dragons.
Real-life dragons?
So...do dragons really exist? Almost. There are a few interesting creatures in the real-life animal kingdom that have eerie similarities to the mythical dragons of legend. There are several types of lizards referred to as ‘dragons’, such as the ‘bearded dragon’ common in Australia and the more intimidating ‘Komodo dragon’ found in Indonesia. In fact, Komodo dragons have a venomous bite, which is similar to breathing fire!
There is also a type of gliding lizard referred to as a ‘flying dragon’, as it has the capability of gliding flight thanks to ‘wings’ created by a membrane around its rib and hind limb area. Another real dragon-like animal is the ‘dragon snake’, which gets its name from the raised ridges down the back of its body – similar to dragons of legend. Perhaps these real-life creatures are where the legend of the dragon came from? It all depends what you wish to believe.
Dragon magic
It's evident that dragons possess a powerful energy. If you follow a spiritual practice that calls on the energy of magical creatures for strength and inspiration, you can use dragon energy to guide your practice. Dragons are actually a perfect balance of all four elements – water, fire, earth and air – making them a powerful figure in elemental magic and a way of aligning the elements in your life. Dragons can also be called upon when you’re seeking success and good fortune, or when you need a burst of confidence and determination to get through life’s challenges. Their similarities to snakes and serpents also make them a strong symbol of change and transformation - a shedding of skin to make way for new life and new opportunities. If understood and summoned correctly, dragon energy definitely can be a powerful force in your life.
This is just scratching the surface of dragon mythology, which spans from the seas to the heavens across millennia. While dragon mythology is complex and varied, one trait certainly dominates all stories – dragons are figures of great power. If you want a little more ‘dragon’ in your life, check out our range of dragon giftware below, from books to jewelry to home décor.
View All Our Dragon Giftware
Mythical Creatures Spotlight: Mermaids
Image: "Mermaid Song" by Josephine Wall
Our Mythical Creatures Spotlight is a blog feature that takes a deep-dive into mythical creatures, from dragons to unicorns and all in-between. This week’s spotlight is on: Mermaids.
It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere right now, which means you've probably spent time lately by the water. Maybe you headed to a sunny beach or a quiet lake. And maybe, just maybe, you saw a flicker of a mermaid’s tail while you were at it.
The legend of a mythical water creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish has been around since the Ancient Assyrian empire. She goes by many names—mermaid, siren, undine. She was the star of Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale, later turned into a Disney classic. And she continues to captivate our imaginations with her ethereal—and sometimes frightening—beauty.
So where did the mythology of the magical mermaid come from? Is the folklore grounded in reality? And how can you harness the elemental power of the undines in your spiritual practice? Read on to find out:
The first mermaid: Atargatis
According to the tales of Classic antiquity, there was a Syrian deity called Atargatis who was sometimes called the ‘mermaid-goddess’. Atargatis was the chief goddess of northern Syria, and was associated with fertility and protection. Legend tells that Atargatis fell in love with a human, and transformed herself into a fish out of shame for accidentally killing him. Atargatis is often depicted as having the upper body of a beautiful goddess, and the tail of a fish...like a mermaid. And thus the first of the mermaid legends was born, though it certainly wasn't the last.
The sirens of Greek mythology
The sea is a common character in Greek mythology. Grecian heroes were often embarking on daring voyages across the sea, and coming across all kinds of mythical friends and foes in their travels. One such figure was that of the enchanting siren. Sirens were sea-bound creatures who lured sailors to their deaths by singing haunting songs. Traditionally, they appeared as part-bird part-woman, but due to their link to the sea, they’ve come to be associated with mermaid mythology. Like the sirens of Greek lore, mermaids are also often depicted as having beautiful singing voices that can hook even the most wily of sailors.
Mermaid or manatee?
But it wasn’t just in mythical tales that mermaids appeared. Throughout the Age of Discovery, there were many real-life sightings of mermaids at sea. Even Christopher Columbus claimed to have sighted these half-fish half-human creatures while exploring the Caribbean. However, scientists point out that life at sea can often cause men to lose their wits and even hallucinate. And fleshy aquatic animals like the manatee—which would have been an unfamiliar sight to European explorers— could have easily been mistaken for a mermaid.
The Little Mermaid
One of the most famous literary depictions of the mermaid is the titular character from Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale. The Little Mermaid from Andersen’s story fits many of the mermaid myths from throughout history. Part-human and part-fish, the Little Mermaid lives in the ocean has a beautiful enchanting singing voice, which she chooses to exchange for two human legs and a chance to win a handsome prince’s heart. Like many mermaid stories, The Little Mermaid deals with the conflict between the ocean and the land. Mermaids are often torn between the two, belonging in both and in neither at the same time. When romance with a human is involved—as is often the case—the conflict grows all the more stronger.
The Scottish selkies
Selkies are figures from Scottish folklore that have the ability to change between human and seal form. Tales of selkies also normally involve a doomed romance with a human lover. Sometimes, the selkie will seduce the human; in other stories, the human steals the selkie’s seal skin and compels her to stay on land and become his wife. Like The Little Mermaid and other mermaid tales, the selkie is never quite satisfied with life on land and longs for the sea, either escaping human life to return to the waves, or dragging her human lover down with her.
Undine energy
A more cheerful version of the mermaid is that of the undine. Undines are one of the four elemental beings (gnomes = earth elementals, sylphs = air elementals, salamanders = fire elementals), representing the element of water. Undines often appear as female in form, and can be found in all kinds of water bodies, from wells to lakes, and from waterfalls to the ocean. Undines are associated with femininity, fertility, beauty, and music. If you practice elemental magic, you can call on undine energy in your practice when you need to harness any of these forces. As water elementals, undines can help with purification, cleansing and healing.
Whether you find them beautiful or alarming, there's no doubt that mermaids have a fascinating allure. Halfway between human and fish, land and sea, they represent the thresholds of the universe and the powerful energy of water as an element. Take a look at all our mermaid merchandise below, and let us know your favourite mermaid "tails" in the comments.
View All Our Mermaid Giftware
Mythical Creatures Spotlight: Unicorns
Our Mythical Creatures Spotlight is a new blog feature that will take a deep-dive into mythical creatures, from dragons to mermaids and all in-between. This week’s spotlight is on: Unicorns.
Unicorns have had a comeback in popular culture lately. The rainbows-and-sparkles version of the unicorn can be found on stationery, beauty products, clothing and even consumables (Unicorn Frappuccino, anyone?) Once again, people have fallen in love with this beautiful creature, and it has become a symbol of “believing in yourself” and embracing the magic in life.
While this colourful version of the unicorn is a bit gaudier than the traditional myth, it all makes sense. Throughout history, people have seen the unicorn as a powerful symbol of things they wish they could attain. Whether that’s innocence, strength or beauty, the unicorn represents all that is special and rare.
So let’s delve into the lore and legend of unicorns, and learn a bit more about this fantastic beast.
Are unicorns real?
If you think about all your typical fantasy creatures - fairies, dragons, mermaids - the unicorn is perhaps the most believable of them all. After all, white horses and animals with horns are both real things - so why not a creature that combines the two?
As we wrote about in our Dragonspace Bestiary post, people did definitely once believe that unicorns were real animals. Ancient Greek writers were the first to note the unicorn in natural history, writing of “wild asses, fleet of foot, having on the forehead a horn a cubit and a half in length”. What were they writing about? Some scholars muse that they might have mistaken another horned or antlered animal - like a rhinoceros, an oryx or an eland - for a magical unicorn. But perhaps they were recording a real creature that has become even more elusive over time.
More recently, the American Journal of Applied Science published a research piece about an ancient animal known as the “Elasmotherium” or, the “Siberian unicorn”. This now-extinct creature was actually a type of rare rhinoceros, but its rarity and horned appearance makes it a close contender for being a “real” unicorn.
But of course, the allure of the unicorn is about more than just its appearance. Much of the unicorn frenzy throughout history comes from the magical powers that the creature - and its distinctive horn - were said to possess.
The Alicorn: a unicorn’s horn
Did you know that a unicorn’s horn is called an ‘alicorn’? This unique feature and its healing attributes are one of the things that make unicorns so special.
Up until the 18th-century, it was widely accepted that that a unicorn’s horn had healing powers, and it was one of the most expensive and sought-after remedies in Medieval Europe. Some of the main medicinal purposes of the alicorn included it being:
- an antidote against poisons
- a treatment for leprosy
- a protection from plague and fever
- a way to purify water
- an aphrodisiac
Alicorns were legitimately sold in apothecaries and distributed throughout royal courts. Queen Elizabeth I reportedly paid a massive 10,000 pounds for a unicorn horn. But were these horns really from the elusive magical horse?
Unfortunately, probably not. The “alicorns” often used in medieval medicine most likely came from narwhals - real marine mammals with a horn similar to that of the unicorn. And as the use of animal horns for human gain is largely unethical, the alicorn is no longer a sought-after medicine.
But just because this element of the unicorn myth turned out to be a fraud, it still doesn’t disprove the existence of unicorns. It just means that these magical beasts wouldn’t easily allow themselves to be captured and turned into a medicinal commodity, of course.
A symbol of innocence and purity
Unicorns have a strong connection with purity, innocence and chastity. Most legends tell that the wild and elusive unicorn could only be tamed by an innocent maiden. In fact, young maidens were said to have been used as “bait” to lure unicorns in, as described by Leonardo da Vinci in his famous notebooks:
“The unicorn…because of its intemperance, not knowing how to control itself before the delight it feels towards maidens, forgets its ferocity and wildness, and casting aside all fear it will go up to the seated maiden and sleep in her lap, and thus the hunter takes it.”
Unicorns are still considered an emblem of purity and innocence. They also represent a beautiful balance between feminine wisdom and masculine strength.
A national icon
Because of its powerful symbolism, the unicorn often appears in royal heraldry. Most notably, the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. Some might think it’s odd that a country known for being quite strong, proud and rugged would have such a “delicate” create as its national animal, but those people obviously don’t understand Scotland...or the unicorn.
The unicorn embodies wildness, intelligence and a fierce determination to be free. As Scotland has a long history of fighting for its independence, the unicorn is in fact the perfect symbol for this proud nation.
Using unicorn energy
Most of us won’t be lucky enough to encounter a physical unicorn in real life, but their strong energy can be called on in your spiritual practice. Understanding the lore and legend of the unicorn will help you known when to call on this energy - in times when cleansing, purity, wisdom and wildness are needed. They’re also a powerful elemental mascot when something is evading you, be it knowledge, wealth or healing. If you can connect with the power of the unicorn, you're a step closer to achieving the unattainable.
We love that these magical beasts are still going strong in popular culture, continuing to inspire our spirits and imaginations. Take a look at our whimsical range of unicorn giftware below, and let us know what unicorns mean to you in the comments.
View All Our Unicorn Giftware
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