Definition Essay: Dragons
When people think of dragons, they think of huge, scaly lizards with wings, and with an immense mouth spewing hot fire. They are also born out of giant eggs that are as hard as rocks and have a tremendous appetite. There are many legends about this creature, but there are also real dragons. One example of a real dragon is the Komodo dragon. The mythical dragons as in Asian and European culture are very powerful and dangerous.
The Komodo dragon is one of the only species of “real” dragon. Even though the Komodo dragon is just a very big lizard that can outrun a human easily, it can’t “blow” fire like the mythological ones. It walks on four legs and preys on people and other animals that happen to be smaller than it. They don’t have wings like the mythical Asian dragon; this dragon is similar to what people think of dragons. The Komodo dragon can camouflage itself and uses this ability to hunt. The Komodo dragon is a very dangerous creature, but is also an endangered species.
A mythical dragon is the Asian dragon; this amazing creature is often depicted in Asian art. It has a similar form to that of the Komodo dragon and can fly even though it lacks wings. This magnificent creature in Asian legends often controls the weather and can protect those it wants. The Asian dragon is very popular and often worshiped in Asia. A Chinese scholar named Lu Dian said “None of the animals is so wise as the dragon. His blessing power is not a false one. He can be smaller than small, bigger than big, higher than high, and lower than low.”; this describes the Asian dragon the way most Asians see them. Asian dragons are also depicted on palace walls and often symbolize the office of the Chinese emperor.
Another type of mythical dragon is the European dragon; this dragon is the only one that has wings. It is often depicted in European art as a creature that hordes treasure and takes people, especially women, away from their homes for a midnight snack. The European dragon often demolishes anything that stands in the way of its prize. The beast hurts and kills many. It is usually very large and nothing can hurt it because of its armor of scales. Medieval tales tell of how knights would pursue a dragon that had kidnapped a fair maiden and would earn honor in slaying the malevolent beast.
Dragons, either mythical or real are very dangerous creatures. Some can be helpful like in Asian legends, others are terrifying animals that harm anyone in their path. They can be useful and in some tales are pets like in the book, Eragon. They are amazing creatures that have influenced the ideas and beliefs of many people.
By: Amber M
Cited Sources:
http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=dragon
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons-creatures-of-power
When people think of dragons, they think of huge, scaly lizards with wings, and with an immense mouth spewing hot fire. They are also born out of giant eggs that are as hard as rocks and have a tremendous appetite. There are many legends about this creature, but there are also real dragons. One example of a real dragon is the Komodo dragon. The mythical dragons as in Asian and European culture are very powerful and dangerous.
The Komodo dragon is one of the only species of “real” dragon. Even though the Komodo dragon is just a very big lizard that can outrun a human easily, it can’t “blow” fire like the mythological ones. It walks on four legs and preys on people and other animals that happen to be smaller than it. They don’t have wings like the mythical Asian dragon; this dragon is similar to what people think of dragons. The Komodo dragon can camouflage itself and uses this ability to hunt. The Komodo dragon is a very dangerous creature, but is also an endangered species.
A mythical dragon is the Asian dragon; this amazing creature is often depicted in Asian art. It has a similar form to that of the Komodo dragon and can fly even though it lacks wings. This magnificent creature in Asian legends often controls the weather and can protect those it wants. The Asian dragon is very popular and often worshiped in Asia. A Chinese scholar named Lu Dian said “None of the animals is so wise as the dragon. His blessing power is not a false one. He can be smaller than small, bigger than big, higher than high, and lower than low.”; this describes the Asian dragon the way most Asians see them. Asian dragons are also depicted on palace walls and often symbolize the office of the Chinese emperor.
Another type of mythical dragon is the European dragon; this dragon is the only one that has wings. It is often depicted in European art as a creature that hordes treasure and takes people, especially women, away from their homes for a midnight snack. The European dragon often demolishes anything that stands in the way of its prize. The beast hurts and kills many. It is usually very large and nothing can hurt it because of its armor of scales. Medieval tales tell of how knights would pursue a dragon that had kidnapped a fair maiden and would earn honor in slaying the malevolent beast.
Dragons, either mythical or real are very dangerous creatures. Some can be helpful like in Asian legends, others are terrifying animals that harm anyone in their path. They can be useful and in some tales are pets like in the book, Eragon. They are amazing creatures that have influenced the ideas and beliefs of many people.
By: Amber M
Cited Sources:
http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=dragon
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons-creatures-of-power