Dragons E-Book

Gerrie McCall

• Herausgeber: Amber Books Ltd
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Serie: Legendary & Scary
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 52

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

For centuries, folk tales about fierce, fire-breathing dragons have fascinated children and adults alike. Sometimes scary, sometimes surprisingly friendly, dragons are major characters in legends from all around the world. Dragons collects 20 of these mythical beasts from Chinese, Japanese, Babylonian, Mediterranean and Nordic mythology as well as examples from more recent fantasy literature, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s dragon Smaug in The Hobbit. From the rage of Beowulf's dragon to the victory of St. George over the dragon, Dragons brings together the most exciting of these mythical monsters. Illustrated throughout with outstanding, full-colour artworks for each dragon, each entry includes easy-to-follow accounts of the myth, maps of the geographical origins, and factfile boxes describing the different strengths and weaknesses and characteristics of the dragon. This engaging and accessible volume reveals the spectacular world of some of mankind's most sensational creations.

Leseprobe

www.amberbooks.co.uk

DRAGONS

FEARSOME MONSTERS FROM MYTH AND FICTION

GERRIE MCCALL

This digital edition first published in 2012

Published by

Amber Books Ltd

United House

North Road

London N7 9DP

United Kingdom

Website: www.amberbooks.co.uk

Instagram: amberbooksltd

Facebook: amberbooks

Twitter: @amberbooks

Copyright © 2012 Amber Books Ltd

ISBN: 978 1 908696 84 7

PICTURE CREDITS

All illustrations © Amber Books Ltd

All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purpose of reviewno part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from thepublisher. The information in this book is true and complete to the best of ourknowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of theauthor or publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use ofthis data or specific details.

Contents

Introduction

6

Ancient Legends

Beowulf ’s Dragon

8

Gorynych

10

Krak’s Dragon

12

Knucker

14

Orochi

16

St. George and the Dragon

18

Wyvern

20

Mythological Dragons

Apalala

22

Fafnir

24

Futs-Lung

26

Hatuibwari

28

Jawzahr

30

Ladon

32

Ryujin

34

Shen-Lung

36

Media Dragons

Glaurung

38

Hungarian Horntail

40

Luckdragon

42

Norwegian Ridgeback

44

Smaug

46

Index

48

6

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

D

ragon encounters have been reported throughout the world. Many  experts

dismiss  dragons as entirely mythical, explaining them away  with  claims that

belief in dragons is a case of mistaken identity. These experts theorize  that the

discovery of dinosaur fossils led to the invention of  the

dragon. People gazing upon dinosaur bones for

the first time must have imagined an

animal fabulous enough to deserve such

bones and came up with the dragon.

However, many credible eyewitnesses

describe contact with dragons.

Marco Polo encountered them

during his travels and Leonardo da

Vinci drew pictures of them. Legend

says that Alexander the Great was

the son of a dragon. Even Chinese and

Japanese emperors of the past believed

they were descendants of  dragons.

Dragons of the world are as varied as the cultures to which

they belong. Dragons are awesome creatures with or

without wings. Depending on their country of

origin, a dragon can play the role of guardian,

nuisance, creator, or destroyer. There are the

benevolent dragons of Asia who demand respect and

offerings, as well as the deadly fire-breathers of Europe who demand

human sacrifices. Generally, dragons are revered in the East and feared in the West.

One reason why dragons hold the imagination is because so many of them breathe fire. In fact, they are the only creature with the ability to shoot flames. This is just one of the dragon’s fascinating traits that allow it to live on in legend across the globe. In a world where it seems everything has been researched and cataloged thoroughly, the dragon remains refreshingly elusive. Lack of scholarship in this area leaves the field of dragon study wide open for new discoveries, whether they be in ancient accounts or in face-to-face meetings with the wondrous beasts.

8

ANCIENT LEGENDS

Beowulf ’s Dragon

TAILThe barbed tailshaped like anarrowhead can beused as a weapon inbattle. In flight, thetail operates like a rudder,balancing the dragon andallowing it to execute skillfulaerial maneuvers.

EYESAdapted to see in the dimlight of caves, the dragon’seyes are well suited forwatching over its hoard ofplundered treasure.

WINGSBatlike wings attached to thetorso by robust muscles liftthe dragon in flight. Thebones within the wingstructure are hollow to reducetheir weight.

JAWSIts fiery breath lights the skies. Chain mailprovides no defense against its crushing jaws andpoisonous fangs. A reservoir of venom is locatedin the upper jaw.

BODYThe dragon’s enormous body isblackened by the soot of its ownflames. Its blue-green scales glowwith inner fire.

BEOWULF’S DRAGON        9

C

oiled in a cavern beneath a gray rock there is a terrifyingdragon—a fire drake measuring 50 feet (15 m) long. Thedragon guards a lair filled  with piles of priceless treasure. Its

heavy body blocks daylight from reaching the armor, goblets, jewels,coins, and golden swords it hoards deep in the cave. When a thief stealsa golden cup from its lair, the dragon rampages through the countryside,

burning everything it sees. The firedrake breathes flames that light upthe sky, terrifying villagers andburning every home in Geatland.Beowulf, King of the Geats, armedwith a magic sword, leads an armyinto battle to face the dragon.

ACTUAL SIZE

BEOWULF STRIKES THE DRAGON WITH HIS SWORD, but the blow glances off the beast’s

terrible hide. Beowulf is engulfed in dragon flames, a sight so terrifying that his army

flees. Only the faithful Wiglaf remains to help. Beowulf breaks off the blade of his magicsword in the dragon’s head. Bitten on the neck by the dragon, Beowulf is soaked in his ownblood but continues fighting. Wiglaf stabs the dragon in a vulnerable place and Beowulfslashes it through the middle, cutting the monster in two and ending its life.

Where in the world?

Geatland, a region in the south ofSweden, is where Beowulf met themighty dragon in battle. Geatland’sdeep forests provided the idealhabitat for a fire drake.

SWEDEN

Did you know?

• Beowulf dies from his battle wounds. The dragon’s treasure is removed from the cave and buriedwith Beowulf. All the pieces of the dragon’s corpse are thrown into the sea.

• The dragon’s flames are so intense that they burn Wiglaf ’s shield down to its handle. Woodenshields, such as the one Wiglaf used, are a poor choice when doing battle with a fire drake.

• Beowulf carries an iron shield bearing the image of a dragon.

• A dragon’s lightweight bones are tougher than reinforced concrete.

• Smoke rising from the mouth of a cave is usually a tell-tale sign that a dragon resides within.

• The dragon is the largest-known flying creature.

10

ANCIENT LEGENDS

Gorynych

BODYThe scaly body produces a reek of sulfur thathangs around Gorynych like a sinister cloud.

HEADSThree fanged, fire-spitting