Dragon World 9780744027655

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DRAGON WORLD

TAMARA MACFARLANE Illustrated by Alessandra Fusi

Contents A world of dragons ..................................................................................................... 4

ASIAN DRAGONS ......................................................6 Dragons of Asia .......................................................................................................... 8 The Long ....................................................................................................................10 The Dragon Dance ...................................................................................................12 Nine dragon sons .....................................................................................................16 Dragons in Chinese culture ..................................................................................18 Indian and Indonesian Naga ..................................................................................20 Bakunawa ..................................................................................................................21 Druk ............................................................................................................................22 Imugi ...........................................................................................................................23 Con Rong ...................................................................................................................24 Neak .............................................................................................................................25 The Dragon King and the Jellyfish ......................................................................26 Ryujin ..........................................................................................................................29

EUROPEAN DRAGONS ........................................ 30 Dragons of Europe ..................................................................................................32 The Dragon Battle ...................................................................................................34 Y Ddraig Goch...........................................................................................................37 Drac .............................................................................................................................38 Knucker ......................................................................................................................39 Wyvern .......................................................................................................................40 Firedrake ...................................................................................................................41 Zmaj .............................................................................................................................42 Stoorworm ................................................................................................................43 The Dragon Curse ................................................................................................... 44 Lindworm ..................................................................................................................47

DRAGONS OF THE WORLD............................... 48 Other dragons from around the world ...............................................................50 Frost dragon ..............................................................................................................52 Amphiptere ...............................................................................................................53 Apep ............................................................................................................................54 Fairy dragon ..............................................................................................................55 The Earth Serpent....................................................................................................56 Aido-Hwedo ..............................................................................................................59 Marsupial dragon .....................................................................................................60 Amaru .........................................................................................................................61

DRAGON DISCOVERIES ......................................62 Dragon eggs................................................................................................................64 Dragon jewels ...........................................................................................................66 Living dragons ..........................................................................................................68 Dragon science .........................................................................................................70 How to draw a dragon .............................................................................................72 Design your own dragon ........................................................................................74 Glossary .....................................................................................................................76 Index ...........................................................................................................................78

A

world of dragons

Discover the incredible creatures that exist in mythology from all around the world.

F

or centuries, dragons have captivated the imagination of people everywhere. They take many forms and represent many things: Gods to be revered, evil kings to be feared, wise friends, and fierce foes. But what are they, and what secrets do they hold? Here’s your chance to find out.

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What are dragons? Because dragon myths vary from culture to culture, and because dragons come in so many different forms, it is hard to put them together in a single category. However, wherever they come from, there are several common characteristics that many of them share.

Flight (though not always with wings). Traits of reptiles

Supernatural powers

Traits of birds

Where did dragons come from? There are many theories about where dragon tales originate. One is they were invented as a way for people to explain early discoveries of dinosaur bones. Another is as a reaction to man’s natural fear of huge reptiles, big cats, and large birds of prey, but nobody knows for sure,

Toxic or fiery breath Long tails A connection to water

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ASIAN

DRAGONS T

he Asian dragon is usually an honorable, brave, and wise creature. Many have a close bond with humans, some were believed to be parents of human children, while others could take human form. Most Asian dragons use their powers to protect humans, although there are a few exceptions to this rule.

Asian dragons

Dragons of Asia D

ragon myths exist across most of Asia. Asian dragons are known to love water and usually live near it, or deep beneath the waves. Many are wingless, but fly using magic—allowing them to move between the land, air, and water.

Druk Himalayas

N

Naga India

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Imugi Korea

Long China

Ryujin

Neak

Japan

Cambodia

Con Rong Vietnam

Bakunawa Naga Indonesia

Philippines

Asian dragons

The

Long

Horns of a stag Neck of a snake

Claws of an eagle

The Long

Ears of a cow

Head of a camel

Eyes of a hare

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M

Chinese dragons can take many forms. Some are familiar animals such as turtles and fish, but the most famous dragon in China is called the Long.

any dragons have body parts from different animals, but the Long is unique in that it is made up of body parts from different animals, usually the ones shown here.

History of the Long There are many stories about how the Long came to be, but it is most commonly thought that ancient Chinese tribes each had an animal totem or emblem. As these tribes came together their emblems were combined, creating the iconic Chinese dragon that we commonly see today.

Powers and traits The Long rarely had breath powers such as fire breathing or gaseous poisoning, but it was usually able to control the weather and water. Longs are kind and wise, and bring good luck to those who deserved it. It is believed the Long are able to fly using magic contained in a lump on their heads called chimu.

Paws of a tiger

The Long in culture For a long time, only emperors were allowed to wear clothing with images of the Long. You could tell how important a person was by the number of toes on their dragon designs—five toes for an emperor, four for princes and nobles.

The Long has become a symbol of unity, culture, wisdom, and strength, and it was featured on one of the first Chinese flags.

Scales of a carp

Belly of a clam

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Asian dragons

The

Dragon Dance

Based on a Chinese dragon origin myth.

A

ll around her the villagers fought. They fought in the next village, the one after that, the village in the mountains, and the one by the sea. It had always been this way. It had gone on for so long that no one could even remember what they were fighting about. Liu put her hands over her ears and buried her face into the soft side of her beloved cow Mui-Mui. “That’s enough!” she said to herself,

“This fighting has to stop!” Tugging on Mui-Mui’s rope, Liu set off to the next village to meet her friend Sun. Mui-Mui mooed loudly to announce their arrival and Sun walked out to meet them, leading his village’s ox behind him. Each of the nine villages had their own sacred animal. It was the children’s job to protect them. “What’s wrong?” Sun asked Liu when he saw the serious look on her face. Liu explained that the adults were all so busy fighting that they hadn’t noticed that the food stores were running low and winter was coming. Sun agreed that if the adults weren’t going to listen, then the children needed to take action to stop the fighting and bring the villagers together.

With their precious animals in tow, Liu and Sun set off to the next village to meet their friend Chen. Chen met them with his village’s snake draped across his shoulders, and together they chatted all the way to the next village. By early evening, they had walked through another five villages, collecting five more friends and animals. Exhausted, they walked up into the mountains to the final village. There, they met Mei and her eagle. Mei led all the children into her old barn. After settling down each animal, the children headed to the fire glinting warmly behind the barn. They talked about the endless fighting and promised that when they grew up they would never fight, but would become one big village and share all the food and work fairly between them.

As the last child joined hands, a great whoosh swept them up and spun them around. Out of the barn, in a clap of thunder, swooped a most extraordinary creature.

Asian dragons

She caught up with her friends, desperate to ask for their help to find her cow.

The children stared, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. The creature had the neck of a snake, the horns of an ox, the belly of a clam, the scales of a fish, the ears of a cow, the head of a camel, the feet of a tiger, the eyes of a demon, and the claws of an eagle.

The children had never seen anything like it. The creature danced around the children. Liu ran into the barn to look for Mui-Mui, but all of the animals had disappeared.

“Look!” Chen called, pointing at the strange creature, “Mui-Mui is there! Look at its ears. She is part of this new animal, all the animals are. My snake has become its neck!” Liu looked more closely at the magnificent creature. “You’re right! Those are Mui-Mui’s ears!” she shouted to Chen. “It has my demon’s eyes,” their youngest friend said. “It will be able to spot danger anywhere and warn away bad spirits.” “It has my fish’s scales,” so it will be able to swim in the sea,” another friend cried. “It has the claws of my eagle, so it will be able to fly through the sky,” Mei shouted across to Liu. “What will we call this creature?” Liu asked.

“It is a sacred creature, for our new village,” said Mei.

Throughout the banquet the dragon entertained them all, flying high up to loop the loop around stars in the night sky, then diving deep into the sea through the hoop of the moon’s reflection.

“It made a sound like thunder when it came out—let’s call it Dragon,” Chen said. (Dragon sounds like the Chinese word for thunder.)

Together, the villagers from all the villages stood shoulder to shoulder, staring in wonder at their sacred dragon.

Liu led her friends into a dance of joy behind the dragon. The dragon led them all the way to the village by the sea. The villagers stopped fighting to look at the magnificent creatures, and they had a great feast to celebrate the end of the fighting.

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Asian dragons

Bixi is a turtle-shaped dragon with sharp teeth. He is very strong and able to carry heavy objects. Statues of Bixi are often found in courtyards and temples.

Chaofeng can be seen perching on the edges of roof ledges, warding off evil spirits and looking for adventures.

Nine dragon sons The number nine is an important number in Chinese culture. These dragons are the nine sons of the mythical Dragon King, and appear as statues or carvings around China. Yazi is known for destruction, so is usually found carved into the handles of swords and other weapons.

Qiuniu has a love of music, and is sometimes carved on musical instruments.

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Asian dragons

Pulao is known for his loud scream. He is carved onto the handles of bells so they can be heard from far away.

Fuxi likes literature and can be found on the top of tombstones. He is shaped like a classic dragon. Bi’an is a cross between a tiger and a dragon. He symbolizes justice, and can be found in courtrooms.

Suanni is lion shaped and is often found in Buddhist temples, where he enjoys smelling incense.

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Chiwen is half fish and is often placed on roofs in order to ward off fire and prevent buildings from burning.

D

ragon boat racing, where boats are decorated as brightly colored dragons, has been part of Chinese culture for over 2,000 years. Every year, a Dragon Boat Festival is held on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese calendar.

Dragon dance The dragon dance is a performance that is said to bring good luck. It is traditionally seen at Chinese New Year, and also as part of the Spring Lantern Festival, along with a lion dance.

Descendants of the dragons Chinese Emperors were believed to be direct descendants of dragons. Their elaborate robes were called “dragon robes.”

Asian dragons

Dragons in Chinese culture The dragon is an important symbol in Chinese culture. They are associated with water, power, wisdom, wealth, and kindness, and take many forms across China.

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Indian and Indonesian Naga Naga appear in myths and legends from Hindu and Buddhist traditions across Asia. The appearance of the Naga can take many forms, depending on where it comes from. APPEARANCE The Indian Naga is usually human from the waist up and serpentlike from the waist down. It may be many different colors and have a forked tongue.

APPEARANCE The Indonesian Naga are more traditionally dragon-like, and have up to seven heads.

DWELLING Beautiful underwater or underground palaces.

DWELLING Near water or in caves.

POWERS AND TRAITS • Immortality • Venom • Physical strength

POWERS AND TRAITS • Guardians of gates, entrances, and treasure. • Shapeshifting

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Asian dragons

APPEARANCE Dark and sea serpent-like, the Bakunawa is wingless, legless, and has a looped tail. DWELLING Deep seas, dark skies, or the underworld. POWERS AND TRAITS • Can swallow the moon in a single bite—causing an eclipse and plunging the world into darkness. • Creating catastrophic natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

Bakunawa The Bakunawa is a terrifying fanged beast from the Philippines. Many stories about it appear in Filipino mythology. Bakunawa means “bent snake.”

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Asian dragons

Druk The Druk is a peaceful creature, though it has been known to be fierce when defending humans. It represents wealth, health, and happiness. The Druk originates in Tibetan and Bhutanese mythology.

APPEARANCE Similar in appearance to the “Long” dragon, the Druk has four legs and is often shown holding precious stones. It appears on the flag of Bhutan. DWELLING The Himalayan Mountain ranges.

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POWERS AND TRAITS • Wisdom • Kindness • A piercing roar that echoes through mountains • Super fast flight • Protectors of humans

Imugi The Imugi is a Korean dragon. It is a wise and friendly creature who brings good luck. According to some legends, a dragon-shaped mark would appear on the shoulder of a human girl—revealing that she was the Imugi in human form, and would transform into a dragon on her 17th birthday.

APPEARANCE The Imugi has four legs with four toes—one of which is used like a thumb. They are often shown holding a yeouiju (a globe that grants special powers). DWELLING Lakes, rivers, and deep mountain ponds.

POWERS AND TRAITS • Friendship • Caring • The ability to grant wishes using a yeouiju • Wisdom

Asian dragons

Con Rong Originating in Vietnam, the Con Rong had a water fairy mother and a dragon father. Together they hatched 100 Con Rong eggs. 50 of the hatchlings stayed on land with their father and 50 chose to live in the water with their mother.

APPEARANCE The Cong Rong has short strong legs and a sturdy, more crocodile-like body than most of the other serpent-based dragons. DWELLING On dry land and deep under the water. POWERS AND TRAITS • Bringer of rain • Growth and good fortune

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Asian dragons

Neak Known also as the Khmer Dragon, one of the legendary Neaks was a Khmer dragon princess who—according to legend—was among the creators of the country of Cambodia.

APPEARANCE The Neak can have up to nine heads. The more heads it has, the more important it is. Despite being serpentine, its body is stockier than the Long. It is wingless with short legs. DWELLING Near or under the water. POWERS AND TRAITS • Shape-shifting to human form • Strength of kindness and spirit • Ability to help others

Asian dragons

Dragon King and the Jellyfish

The

This tale is inspired by a story from Japan.

A

ccording to legend, if you dive deep into the sea off the coast of Japan, you might just catch a glimpse of the most magnificent palace.

seahorses, turtles, and dolphins, fly down ice slides, landing in soft snow. Crickets chirp in the summer hall, singing along, as starfish skip over lavender gardens and rest in rose beds.

It belongs to Ryujin, the Dragon King, whose mouth is so big he can swallow whales in a single gulp, and crush a ship between his jaws. His powers are so huge that he controls the mighty tides with just two beautiful jewels—one to call the seas in, and another to send them away.

One day, as the Dragon King admired his gardens, he came across a thrashing swordfish caught in coral.

Every day, the Dragon King roams around his underwater palace.

Ryujin tried to set it free, but as he did, the swordfish accidentally scratched his throat—the only place he isn’t covered in impenetrable scales.

Built entirely from coral, the palace spirals up through forty floors. There are mesmerizing gardens and a grand hall for each of the seasons. The autumn hall is filled with maple trees. The ceilings hang heavy with apple-laden branches and the smells of maple, damp leaves, and bonfires.

Worried about the wound, the Dragon King summoned his closest advisors. “Find the liver of a monkey,” one of his advisors said, “rub it on the wound and it will heal immediately.”

The spring hall is filled with blossom trees. Butterflies flitter around and hover over a carpet of petals.

Ryujin summoned a jellyfish to him (in those days a jellyfish looked more like a turtle, with four legs and a hard shell).

The winter hall is tiled with a million glittering crystals. Tiny fish, 26

Asian dragons

“Please go to the land above the sea and find me a monkey who will give me its liver,” the Dragon King said.

Trustingly, the jellyfish led the monkey back to the beach and watched him run off into the woods. After waiting patiently for two days and two nights, the jellyfish realized with great sadness he had been tricked, and he knew he must return to tell the Dragon King.

The jellyfish set off to the surface, where it found a monkey sitting on a rock, throwing stones into the water. He tempted the monkey into the sea by promising to show him the coral palace. On the way there, the monkey asked the jellyfish why he had been chosen to visit the majestic palace.

As the jellyfish swam closer to the palace, its heart grew heavier and heavier. Ryujin was furious. “Please don’t punish me,” said the jellyfish, “I have already been tricked by the monkey I trusted, there’s no need for me to be punished twice.” But the Dragon King was too angry and in too much pain from his wound to listen. He used his great powers to curse the jellyfish.

The jellyfish, who had always lived under the water, had never learned to tell lies, so told the monkey the truth.

“You will swim the seas forever without a shell” he roared in fury.

“The Dragon King needs your liver to heal his wound.”

And so, the jellyfish became the jellylike creature it is to this day. They say that the jellyfish’s sting comes from the bitterness it felt at being punished twice, just for trying to help.

Unlike the jellyfish, the monkey, who had lived on land among the humans, had learned how to lie. “I wish you had told me that before,” he said to the jellyfish, “I would have brought it with me. I keep it in a jar in the tree where I live, as it is too heavy for me to carry with me.” “Swim me back to the surface and wait for me by the shore,” the monkey said. “I will fetch my liver and bring it right back.”

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Ryujin In Japanese mythology, Ryujin, the Dragon King, is the god of the ocean. According to myth, the people of Japan are said to be descendants of the Dragon King.

APPEARANCE The Dragon King is famous for having an enormous mouth. He holds two jewels that give him power over the sea, and is often surrounded by fish, turtles, jellyfish, and other sea creatures who act as servants. DWELLING A beautiful underwater palace made from coral.

POWERS • Shape-shifting • The ability to control the tides using special jewels • Can control the weather • Able to swallow ships and whales whole

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EUROPEAN DRAGONS I

n many early stories from across Europe, dragons were viewed as mighty creatures who were as much a part of the natural world as mountains or lakes. However, this gradually changed and dragons became known as unnatural, dark, and dangerous forces that needed to be conquered.

Stoorworm Scotland

Wyvern Northern Europe

Y Ddraig Goch Wales

Knucker England

Drac Catalonia

N

Firedrake Germany

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European dragons

Lindworm Northern Europe

Dragons of Europe S

tories of dragons have spanned far and wide across Europe for centuries. Legends from all over told of how these mighty beasts would swoop down from mountains and up out of lakes, usually wreaking havoc wherever they went.

Zmaj Eastern Europe

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European dragons

The Dragon Battle Inspired by a Welsh legend.

“B

Not knowing what else to do, they went back to work again. By nightfall of the second night, they had relaid the foundations and built four towers.

uild me a fortress!” Ordered the warlord king. “Build it high on that hill. Build it with turrets and moats. This beautiful green land shall be ours, and we will fly our flag with pride.”

That night, watched only by the moon and stars, the ground beneath the new foundations, and the four mighty towers began to rumble again. The ground shook and shook, until all that was left was more rubble.

The king’s people followed his orders and got to work. They used pulleys and trolleys to heave huge rocks into place, and by the end of the first day the fortress’ foundations were laid. In thanks, the king put on a feast for his people. They ate and drank and talked under the moon.

“Who has cursed this land?” The king dropped to his knees in despair at the piles of rock in front of him.

By midnight, the workers fell asleep. In their dreams they saw the walls and turrets they would build the next day, high up on that hill above Wales.

Aware that his people stood behind him, he pulled himself up. “We will not let this defeat us,” he said rising to his feet, “we must work even harder!” Confused and frustrated, the people set to work again. They worked so hard that by nightfall, they had relaid the foundations, rebuilt all four towers, and even dug a moat.

But as they slept, the ground beneath the new foundations began to rumble, and the foundations started to shake. Soon, all that was left was a pile of rubble scattered on the hill.

But again, during the night the ground shook and the towers crumbled.

The people woke and gathered around the piles of stones at the bottom of the hill, shaking their heads in confusion.

All the people could do was stand behind their king and stare. Until finally a young boy stepped forward and addressed the king. 35

European dragons

“Excuse me, your highness,” the boy said quietly. “But there are dragons under the hill.”

The red dragon of Wales and the white dragon of the Saxons screeched and snarled and scratched and scowled, as intense flames flashed from their nostrils.

“Who is this boy talking nonsense about dragons?” bellowed the king. “I have no time for such childish stories, I have a fortress to build!” “My name is Merlin,” the boy replied, “and you need to free the dragons before you build the castle. They have been trapped in a fierce battle for over a thousand moons.” The king stared at the boy. “Well, boy,” he said, putting his arm around Merlin’s shoulder, “I am sure you are telling tales, but I have no other ideas. Lead the way!”

Finally, after a week of battle, the red dragon sank its jaws into the white dragon’s underbelly, and its white scales turned red with blood. It fell from the sky and sank to the bottom of the lake.

Merlin, though just a boy, had power and wisdom beyond his years. He led the crowd to a lake near the castle grounds and around the hillside, until they were stopped by a huge boulder. “Fetch the ropes,” the king ordered.

And so, by nightfall the people were finally able to feast within their fortress walls. While high above them, on the tallest of the towers, looking out across Wales, perched the red dragon.

“We can build now,” Merlin advised the king. “It is safe.”

They wrapped ropes around the boulder and dragged it away. Peering into the dark, the king spotted two sleeping dragons, one red, one white. His gasp woke the dragons, who—desperate to escape—darted out and shot into the sky. A snarling bundle of red and white, all teeth and claws and scales, rolled around the sky like a storm. Terrible cries sent out shockwaves that stripped the trees of leaves and parted the clouds in the sky.

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Y Ddraig Goch Y Ddraig Goch, meaning “red dragon” is a fearsome, fire-breathing dragon from Welsh myth. It appears on the Welsh flag as the national symbol of Wales.

APPEARANCE Y Ddraig Goch has four powerful legs, wings, and its skin is a deep red color. It often has a pointed or arrow-shaped tail. DWELLING Underground.

POWERS AND TRAITS • Skilled at battling while in the air • Breathing fire • Very loyal to Wales

European dragons

Drac The Drac has origins in a Catalan version of the famous George and the Dragon story. The legend goes that a knight named George slays the dragon to stop it from eating people.

APPEARANCE The Drac has two strong legs and huge claws for catching and crushing prey. In some versions of the story, the Drac’s face resembled an animal such as a bull or lion. DWELLING Usually found in underwater caves along river banks. POWERS AND TRAITS • Breathing fire • Putrid breath • Strength • Invisibility

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Knucker The Knucker is one of the most destructive and terrifying dragons in history. It lived in the English county of Sussex, where it was known for destroying villages and eating everything for miles.

APPEARANCE The Knucker has huge jaws and teeth, four strong legs, and a streamlined body that allows it to swim down knuckerholes and along underwater streams. It had very small wings, and rarely flew. DWELLING Knuckerholes—bottomless water holes in England.

POWERS AND TRAITS • Incredibly destructive • Venomous bite • The ability to consume everything in sight • Able to coil around its prey like a boa constrictor snake

European dragons

Wyvern Wyverns appear in stories from Italy, across Europe, and Africa. The largest forms of Wyvern prey on elephants, rhinos, and other large animals. While some are relatively small, others are among the biggest and most powerful of the Earth-dwelling dragons.

APPEARANCE The colossal Wyvern has two legs, large wings, and a looped or arrowshaped barbed tail. DWELLING Wyverns make nests in the sides of mountains to lay their eggs. This is the only time they will stay in

one place for long. The rest of the time they are constantly on the move in search of prey. POWERS AND TRAITS • Ferocious teeth and claws • Its tail can contain a powerful venom. • Skilled at ambushing prey

Firedrake Firedrake has been used as a term to describe all fire-breathing dragons, but it is also the name of one of the rarest dragons. Often mistaken for a shooting star, the Firedrake can fly at extraordinary speeds, shooting between stars in a flash of flame.

APPEARANCE It is hard to know exactly what form Firedrakes take beneath their fiery shield. But it is thought that they have large wings for their size and can make their bodies very aerodynamic. DWELLING Nobody is sure, but their preference to be high in

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the atmosphere suggests they rest in the mountains on the rare occasions that they land on Earth. POWERS AND TRAITS • Lightning fast flight • Breathing fire • Fire shield • Ferocious teeth and claws

European dragons

Zmaj Tales of Zmaj are told across parts of Eastern Europe. Unlike most of the European dragons, the Zmaj is not always destructive, and can often be kind toward humans.

APPEARANCE Zmaj are half human, half serpent, with the wings of a bat. DWELLING In caves near water. POWERS AND TRAITS • The ability to make and control weather. • Great intelligence • Kindness • Able to hypnotize humans with their eyes.

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Stoorworm The Stoorworm haunts many tales from the Orkney islands in Scotland. A colossal sea serpent, it terrorized the island people for over a thousand years before being slain by a young boy.

APPEARANCE This terrifying beast is a huge fanged sea serpent. DWELLING In sea caves close to the shore so that it could feed on the local people.

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POWERS AND TRAITS • Insatiable appetite • Almost invincible • Putrid breath • Capable of destroying ships and villages with ease • Evil and terrifying

European dragons

The

Dragon Curse

This tale is inspired by the Norse myth of Nidhogg the dragon and Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life.

“I

am Nidhogg! Dragon of the deep. Ruler of the underworld!” Nidhogg threw the bones he had been gnawing far and wide. They clattered and shattered on rocks, splintering into shards that pierced deep into the gnarled roots of the oldest tree in the universe. The tree shook in agony, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis to erupt in the nine worlds it held in its roots.

“Why am I in the dark? I should be closer to heaven, where I will rule all the worlds.”

Nidhogg watched the destruction with glee, and licked his lips as bodies tumbled between the roots and piled up at his clawed feet. “Supper!” Nidhogg cried.

“What took you so long?” Nidhogg demanded. “This message cannot wait!”

Nidhogg snarled to summon his squirrel messenger down the tree. The squirrel shot down, twisting and turning around the trunk, in and out of the nine worlds. Puffing and panting, he reached Nidhogg in the underworld.

“Tell the Gods that if I am not freed from this dark prison, I will gnaw on the roots of this tree until it dies, then slither up its trunk and bring eternal winter to all of the worlds. The very breath in every being’s lungs will freeze, and they will become ice statues forever.”

As he finished the banquet of bodies before him, day turned to night. The Gods, way up above, lit the stars and called the oceans and seas to return and rest in the moonlight. But for Nidhogg, trapped in the underworld, there was only darkness. Nidhogg stared into a gap in the trunk of the tree and watched the Gods walking the rainbow paths between the worlds, free to go wherever they wished. A ball of burning fury grew inside him, until the heat rivaled the power of the sun. In a huge flash, flames shot from his flaring nostrils.

The squirrel saw the fury in Nidhogg’s blazing eyes and shot back up the trunk, weaving in and out of the nine worlds, past humans and elves and giants and sprites, to the very top of the tree. The squirrel leapt up onto the shoulder of the God of all the Gods and whispered the message.

“I am the God of all beasts! I should leap between worlds, rule all things, call up storms, and power the tides!” Nidhogg roared.

The God of all the Gods took a deep breath and thought hard before replying. “Please remind Nidhogg that he is imprisoned forever as 44

European dragons

punishment for his terrible deeds. The roots of the Tree of Life that hold the underworld form a maze so complicated that no beast has ever escaped. Tell Nidhogg to accept his punishment.”

Light crept into the roots below and lit up the darkness. Nidhogg raised his head and slithered up the tree.

“He is a monster, not a God.” The squirrel trembled in terror at the thought of telling Nidhogg this message. Instead, he fled to the seventh world, where he had stored his nuts in a den, ready for a long winter. Nidhogg slid back and forth along the huge roots, waiting for the squirrel to return. His anger grew, and he roared into the worlds above.

The Gods threw their powers at the raging dragon, causing hail, lightning, comets, and lava to rain down upon him. They tossed mountains at him like arrows, and rerouted rivers to try to wash him away. But the Gods were no match for Nidhogg’s anger. A war raged for a century until finally the Gods grew weak. Nidhogg sneered as he froze each of them in turn, and spread winter across the worlds.

“If I do not receive word from the Gods that I am to be freed, I will begin to chew upon the Tree of Life this very evening!”

Laughing as the final world froze over, Nidhogg smiled at the icy Gods, powerless against him.

But the Gods were too far away, and the squirrel was nestled in his bed of nuts with leaves stuffed into his ears. Nobody heard Nidhogg’s warning. That very night, Nidhogg opened his huge jaws and clamped his ferocious fangs down on the roots. The tree writhed in pain and the worlds were flung from side to side. Mountains crumbled and oceans spun.

The branches of the Tree of Life weakened their hold around the worlds and withered. One by one, the nine worlds tumbled out into the universe, and Nidhogg was left alone again, with nothing to rule, roaming the night skies in silence in search of the very things he had destroyed.

By morning, Nidhogg had gnawed through the root and the tree began to wilt and split in two.

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Lindworm The Lindworm appears in Nordic creation myths. There are several versions, but Nidhogg is the most well-known. The Stoorworm is a Scottish relative of the Lindworm.

APPEARANCE The Lindworm is an enormous wingless serpent with giant fangs and a terrible temper. DWELLING The underworld, deep underground in the roots of trees, or the ocean depths. POWERS AND TRAITS • The ability to move between different worlds • Can move unseen through water and on land • Putrid breath • Venomous bite

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DRAGONS OF THE W ORLD A

lthough the dragons from Asian and European stories are the most well-known, dragons also soar through myths and legends from across the whole globe. From the Earth-sculpting rainbow dragon of Africa, to the ice-breathing frost dragon of the Arctic and Antarctic regions, dragons really are everywhere…

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Dragons of the world

Frost dragon Polar Regions

Aido-Hwedo West Africa

Amphiptere Central and South America

Amaru

N

South America

50

Dragons of the world

Fairy dragon Fairy Folklore

dragons from around the world

Other

Apep Egypt

Marsupial dragon Australia

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rom the two-headed Amaru of South America to the ice-breathing frost dragons of the Arctic, dragons have captivated the minds of people all across the globe, inspiring countless myths and legends along the way.

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Dragons of the world

Frost dragon Frost dragons have adapted to withstand extreme cold. It’s likely they descended from a more common Northern European dragon that ventured into the polar regions.

APPEARANCE Cloaked in iridescent scales, Frost dragons have the ability to blend perfectly into icy landscapes. They have four legs and large, powerful wings. Their abnormally long claws are ideal for perching on the edge of icebergs. DWELLING Ice-covered areas with a water source nearby. POWERS AND TRAITS • The ability to shoot ice from its mouth and nostrils that can freeze enemies or be used as a shield

Amphiptere Although originally from Northern Africa, the Amphiptere is now considered to be an American dragon, predominantly from South and Central America.

APPEARANCE Amphipteres are generally thought to have greenishyellow feathers, bat-like wings, and a beak similar to the shape of a bird’s. DWELLING Caves, rock piles, and bouldered areas.

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POWERS AND TRAITS • Wisdom • Can see into the future • The ability to control and summon rocks • Able to drop out of trees backward to pierce prey with their barbed tails • Long life span

Dragons of the world

Apep Originating in Egyptian mythology, Apep was the God of chaos. He spent a lot of time trying to eat Ra, the God of the sun. This is said to have caused a solar eclipse. For this reason, Apep is often associated with night and darkness.

APPEARANCE Apep was a colossal cosmic serpentlike dragon that often took the form of a hooded cobra.

POWERS AND TRAITS • Poison • The ability to swallow the sun

DWELLING In dark space in the universe or the underworld.

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Fairy dragon Fairy dragons can take many forms. In fact, the dragon Con Rong is the descendant of a water fairy, so is technically part Fairy dragon. But Con Rong looks very different to these tiny fairy dragons.

APPEARANCE Fairy dragons are only the size of a hummingbird. They look like a gecko with the wings of a butterfly. Both their bodies and wings are very bright, and shimmer and change color in different lights. DWELLING Meadows and woodlands.

POWERS AND TRAITS • Magic and mischief • Can speak to other small creatures such as fairies and elves • When in danger, they breathe out a bubble of air that surrounds the attacker and calms them down

Dragons of the world

The Earth Serpent This story is based on a creation myth from West Africa.

M

“Land,” commanded Mawu-Lisa finally, “this is where our work must begin.”

awu-Lisa, who was both He and She, stood on Aido-Hwedo’s mighty tongue and raised a stick to the sky.

“Fly Aido-Hwedo, fly,” called out Mawu-Lisa, the great God of All Creation.

The great serpent dragon swooped down to a giant rock. Mawu-Lisa guided him to slide across its surface, forming deep grooves into which water began to flow, becoming rivers.

Aido-Hwedo lifted his fine form skyward, taking great care not to crush the God standing inside his mouth. He carried his sacred cargo out into the universe, and for more time than anyone can count, they flew between stars and around planets.

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Dragons of the world

As he worked, Aido-Hwedo became hungry, so the God of All Creation fed him precious minerals and stones from the other planets in the universe. The serpent dragon digested huge amounts of these, and when they came out of his other end, they formed hills and mountains filled with treasures.

Next Mawu-Lisa commanded Aido-Hwedo to coil up and slither round and round in giant circles, creating deep holes in the rock.

“Stop,” commanded Mawu-Lisa on the third evening, “fly up so we can look at our work.”

The serpent dragon took to the sky and flew the God of All Creation around the Earth that they had created together.

The God of All Creation pulled clouds above the holes and ordered them to rain. Water quickly filled the holes. Mawu-Lisa poured in fish, hippos, and other water creatures. The holes became lakes, full of life, and the other animals Mawu-Lisa had created gathered there to drink.

“I am worried.” Mawu-Lisa said to Aido-Hwedo. “The Earth we created is too heavy.

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Dragons of the world

We have made rivers, mountains, animals, as well as trees and plants to feed them, and air and weather to keep them alive. Now the world can not stay up—it is weighed down by all our wonderful creations.”

Mawu-Lisa worried about the burden the great serpent must endure, and pledged to help him however possible. And so, the God of All Creation created the seas to cool his body when the ceaseless turning made him hot, and made sure the Earth was full of iron to keep him strong, and precious stones to keep him healthy.

To this day, Aido-Hwedo remains in the Earth, and the Earth continues to turn.

“How can I help you?” Aido-Hwedo asked the God of All Creation.

“I am your friend, I will do whatever I can to help you.”

Legend says that earthquakes and tsunamis are a result of Aido-Hwedo taking a break and stretching his enormous body.

“It is a big thing to ask of you,” replied Mawu-Lisa. “You must coil up with your tail in your mouth, and climb inside the Earth to hold it up. And once inside you must never stop turning.”

Such was his love for the God of All Creation, that Aido-Hwedo climbed inside the Earth to keep it turning for all eternity.

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Dragons of the world

Aido-Hwedo Aido-Hwedo appears in a creation myth from the Dahomey people in Western Africa. This great serpent flew the Mawu-Lisa, the God of All Creation, around in its mouth, and helped to create the Earth.

APPEARANCE A colossal serpent without wings or limbs. It had a coiled, rainbow-colored body similar to a pythons.

DWELLING Wrapped around the Earth. POWERS AND TRAITS • Strong enough to hold up the Earth • Bringer of the gift of rain

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Dragons of the world

Marsupial dragon Huge creatures used to live across Australia, including lizards up to 16 ft (5m) long. It’s possible the marsupial dragon emerged in stories as a way to explain the fossilized skeletons that belonged to these giant animals.

APPEARANCE The marsupial dragon has a similar body to a kangaroo, but with a classic European dragon-like face and spine. It uses its wings to extend giant leaps, rather than actually fly. DWELLING In rocky areas. They use their strong legs to kick rocks and boulders around to form shallow nests. POWERS AND TRAITS • Can breathe fire (but they usually breathe blue smoke) • Can use their strong legs to strike enemies

APPEARANCE A winged serpent with the head of a bird and a jaguar or puma. Though occasionally it had the head of a llama. All these animals were considered to be sacred.

Amaru This huge double-headed dragon appears in South American Inca mythology. It is said to have emerged from a mountain during a time of colossal earthquakes.

DWELLING Under ground and at the bottoms of lakes and rivers. POWERS AND TRAITS • Said to carry medicine from the three realms (the Earth, the sky, and the underworld)

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DRAGON

DISCOVERIES D

o you know how to spot a dragon’s egg, or know about their favorite treasures? What would a dragon you designed yourself look like? You’ve met the main types of dragons from world mythology, but there’s still so much more to explore…

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Dragon discoveries

Meadow dragon eggs are so tiny, they can be laid in foxgloves and snapdragon flowers.

Mountain dragons build their nests in crags on the side of mountains, and line them with moss and feathers.

Dragon eggs Just like different types of dragon can have wildly different appearances and characteristics, the same is true of their eggs.

Celestial dragons don’t build nests. They lay their eggs on the nearest planet or star when their eggs are ready to hatch.

Water dragon nests are most commonly built in coral clusters and are woven with seaweed.

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Ice dragons burrow into the ice to create circular cavities, which they line with soft snow to lay their eggs in.

Weather dragons lay their eggs in the clouds. When their young hatch, they travel to the ground in raindrops, which they drink once they land.

Forest dragons access their nests through hollows in tree trunks. The nests are built deep inside the tree’s roots. The dragons line their nest with discarded feathers.

Fire dragons build nests in lava-filled tunnels deep beneath the Earth’s crust. Underworld dragons use their toxic breath to blast holes out of the underworld’s rock to nest in.

Dragon discoveries

Dragon jewels

Painite Painite is the rarest mineral of all. It’s so rare, that for many years, only two crystals were known to exist.

Alexandrite The exceptionally rare alexandrite gem changes color from blue-green in daylight to a ruby red in evening light.

Poudretteite Tiny crystals of poudretteite were first discovered in the 1960s in Canada. Poudretteite is one of the rarest gems known today.

Red beryl This exceptionally rare stone is part of a family of gemstones that also includes emerald and aquamarine.

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D

ragons have been accused of stealing precious jewels from humans for thousands of years. But what if we got it wrong? Dragons are known to be protectors of the Earth, so is it possible that humans stole these mineral treasures from the ground and dragons are just putting them back where they belong? Here are some of Earth’s most precious jewels, and where you might find them.

Black opal Opal is most commonly found in Australia, and comes in a range of tones, but black opal is the rarest and most valuable.

Crust

Mantle

Outer core

Inner core

Grandidierite Found almost only in Madagascar, this bluish-green mineral is the third most expensive gemstone on Earth.

Gems from the Earth The Earth is made up of four layers. Most of the precious minerals are mined from the crust, but diamond and peridot are formed in the mantle.

Benitoite The finest examples of this mineral have been found in California. It is sometimes called “Blue Diamond.”

Peridot A beautiful olive-green stone that is sometimes found in meteorites.

Tanzanite Only found by Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, this violet stone is so rare it may soon be completely mined out.

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Diamond Diamonds are best known as jewels but they are also used for other purposes such as saws and drills,

Dragon discoveries

Living dragons Lots of living creatures have a similarity to dragons in some way, whether it’s fangs, flight, or ferocious looks. Many have the word dragon as part of their name. Pink dragon millipede These strange looking millipedes earned the name of dragon due to their spiky spines and bright colors.

Black dragonfish The extraordinary black dragonfish is a ferocious deep-sea creature that is capable of producing its own light. This chemical process is called bioluminescence.

Blue dragon sea slug These beautiful ocean dwellers eat the stinging cells from Portuguese man-o-wars and turn it into a sting of their own.

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Snapdragon Snapdragon plants have flowers that look like a dragon’s head. If you squeeze the sides of the flower, the top and bottom parts open and close like a dragon’s snapping mouth.

Flying dragon Using a winglike structure supported by their ribs, flying dragons can glide for long distances.

Sea dragon Sea dragons can be found off the coast of Australia. The males carry their babies in a special pouch by their tails.

Dragontail butterfly At 1.5 in (4cm) long, the tail of the dragontail butterfly is almost as long as its wings are wide.

Komodo dragon The largest living lizard on earth, the komodo dragon uses venom to weaken its prey. It has been known to eat prey as large as a water buffalo.

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Dragon discoveries

Dragon science From deadly attacks to flight, dragons have amazing abilities. Are there any real animals with similar skills?

Dragon attacks Bombardier beetles are able to shoot out noxious boiling liquid. It’s not exactly breathing fire, but it’s similar to the poisonous breath many dragons have.

Collecting treasure This is rare, but it does happen. The bower bird likes to collect blue objects and arrange them in a pattern to attract a mate.

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Huge size No real creature is big enough to wrap itself around the world like some dragons, but Argentinosaurus, the largest dinosaur ever discovered, grew to be up to 115ft (35m) long!

Wingless flight Many Asian dragons can fly even though they don’t have wings. It seems impossible, but the paradise flying snake comes close, and is able to glide short distances between trees.

Winged flight It’s likely that most winged dragons would be too heavy to fly. However, the same was once thought about pterodactyls until it was discovered that they had hollow bones like birds.

Dragon discoveries

How to draw a dragon Ready to illustrate your own dragon adventures? Follow the step-by-step guide below to get started!

Step 1 Use a pencil to draw a rough outline of the body and the head. Try to get the scale right.

Step 2 Add shape to the head and connect it to the body. Draw a line to determine the shape of the tail.

Step 3 Add in the rest of the tail and the top of the hind legs. For the far leg, start from the edge of the body.

Step 4 Draw on lower legs going from the knee to the ankle, then add ears and eyes to the dragon’s head.

Step 5 Add two front arms and then add the feet. Be careful not to draw over the tail when you do.

Step 6 Draw a line along the dragon’s body to give it an underbelly. Make the end of the tail spiky.

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Dragon discoveries

Step 7 Draw the rough outline of two wings. The far wing doesn’t need to be very big.

Step 8 Add in details such as the structure of the wings, claws, and spines along the dragon’s back.

Step 9 Draw around your dragon in pen and erase the pencil lines. Add color and your dragon is done!

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Dragon discoveries

Design your own dragon Now you’ve read about some of the incredible dragons in the world, why not invent your own? Pick options from the categories below and let your imagination run wild. BODY TYPE

Serpentlike

Reptilian

WINGS

Bat-like leathery wings

Butterfly-like wings

No wings

HEAD SHAPE

Cow

Goat

Eagle

Tiger

Fish

Traditional dragon

TAIL

Forked

Spiked

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Fin

Multiple heads

Dragon discoveries

NUMBER OF LEGS

None

Two

Four

SKIN COVERING

Scales

Feathers

Glossary Ancient

Dwelling

Something that is very old and existed a long time ago.

The area where an animal or plant lives.

Armor

Earthquake

Natural features that protect from harm, such as scales, plates, and spikes.

Movements in the Earth’s crust that make the ground shake violently.

Cave

Fangs

A naturally occurring space inside a cliff or hillside.

Large sharp teeth.

Celestial

A valuable rock or mineral.

Gemstone

Relating to the sky or outer space.

Hypnotize

Chimu

The ability to control and influence minds.

A lump on the head of a Chinese dragon that allows them to fly.

Immortality The ability to be able to live forever.

Comet A collection of dust and ice that orbits around the sun.

Invincible

Constriction

Iridescent

A method used by snakes to wrap around their prey and crush them.

Possessing many colors that seem to shift and change.

Defense

Jewel

How an animal protects itself from predators or its environment.

A precious gemstone that has been cut and polished.

Impossible to harm or defeat.

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Magic

Serpent

The power of influencing the world with mysterious or supernatural abilities.

A large snake.

Mythology

The ability to change shape and take on a new appearance.

Shapeshifting

Stories about gods, creatures, or heroes that often explain how the world came to be.

Talons Sharp claws, usually seen on birds of prey.

Predator

Toxic

A creature that hunts and eats other animals.

A substance that is dangerous, such as poison.

Prey

Treasure

A creature that is hunted for food.

Something of great worth or value.

Putrid Something that is decaying or rotting.

Underworld

Rare

A mythical world, often where the dead live.

Something not found in large numbers, usually making it valuable or important.

Venomous

Reptiles

Substance that may be deadly if injected through a sting, scratch, or bite.

Cold-blooded animals with scaly skin that reproduce by laying eggs. Includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and dinosaurs.

Wisdom

Scales

Possessing a lot of knowledge and experience. .

Hard pieces of skin that cover a reptile’s body.

A magic orb that grants power.

Yeouiju

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Index A

Aido-Hwedo 50, 56–59 alexandrite 66 Amaru 50, 61 Amphiptere 50, 53 Apep 51, 54 Argentinosaurus 71 Asian dragons 6–29 Australia 51, 60

B

Bakunawa 9, 21 benitoite 67 Bi’an 17 Bixi 16 black dragonfish 68 black opal 67 blue dragon sea slug 68 bombardier beetle 70 bower bird 70

C

Cambodia 9, 25 Catalonia 32, 38 celestial dragons 64 Central and South America 50, 53, 61 Chaofeng 16

China 9, 10–19 Chiwen 17 Con Rong 9, 24, 55 creation myth 56–58

D

designing a dragon 74–75 diamond 67 dinosaurs 5, 71 Drac 32, 38 dragon boat racing 18 dragon dance 18 Dragon King 9, 16, 26–29 dragon robes 11, 18 dragontail butterfly 69 drawing a dragon 72–73 Druk 8, 22

E

flying dragon 69 forest dragons 65 frost and ice dragons 50, 52, 65 Fuxi 17

G

George and the Dragon 36 Germany 32 grandidierite 67

H

Himalayas 8, 22

I

Imugi 9, 23 India 8, 20 Indonesia 9, 20

eggs and nests 64–65 Egypt 51, 54 England 32, 39 European dragons 30–47

J

F

K

fairy dragons 51, 55 fire dragons 41, 65 Firedrake 32, 41

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Japan 9, 26–29 jewels 66–67

Knucker 32, 39 Komodo dragon 69 Korea 9, 23

L

Lindworm 33, 47 Long 9, 10–11

M

Marsupial dragon 51, 60 meadow dragons 64 mountain dragons 64

Q

V

R

W

Qiuniu 16

red beryl 66 Ryujin 9, 26–29

S

Naga 8, 9, 20 Neak 9, 25 Nidhogg 44–46

Scotland 32, 43 sea dragon 69 snapdragon 68 Stoorworm 32, 43, 47 Suanni 17

P

T

N

painite 66 paradise flying snake 71 peridot 67 Philippines 9, 21 pink dragon millipede 68 polar regions 50, 52 poudretteite 66 pterodactyl 71 Pulao 17

tales of dragons 5, 12–15, 26–28, 35–36, 36, 44–46, 56–58 tanzanite 67 Tree of Life 44, 46

U

underworld dragons 65

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Vietnam 9, 24

Wales 32, 35–37 water dragons 64 weather dragons 65 West Africa 50, 56–59 Wyvern 32, 40

Y

Y Ddraig Goch 32, 36–37 Yazi 16

Z

Zmaj 33, 42

For Sam and Livs, legendary Tales’ Saturday staff, for your ongoing kindness, TM x The author would like to thank: The whole Moon Lane team for all their love and support, and for being so brilliant at their jobs that I am able to have time to write. Thank you for keeping the world turning.

Author Tamara Macfarlane Illustrator Alessandra Fusi Acquisitions Editor James Mitchem Senior Designer Elle Ward US Senior Editor Shannon Beatty Project Art Editor Jacob Da’Costa and Intrepid Books LTD Production Editor Dragana Puvavic Senior Production Controller Ena Matagic Jacket Coordinator Issy Walsh Senior Jacket Designer Elle Ward Creative Director Helen Senior Publishing Director Sarah Larter

The brilliant team at DK, particularly Sarah Larter for sowing the seeds that have become this book, editor extraordinaire James Mitchem for making this book a complete joy to work on from beginning to end, Elle Ward for her magical vision, and all the sales, marketing, reps, foreign rights, and other teams working behind the scenes, you are vital ingredients to any book.

First American Edition, 2021 Published in the United States by DK Publishing 1450 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, New York 10018

Peter and Alex for making space for Dragon’s Folly—an act of unrivalled generosity—thank you for giving me room to write, and the rest of Addington Street, just thank you.

Copyright © 2021 Dorling Kindersley Limited DK, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC 21 22 23 24 25 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 001–321699–Mar/2021

Most of all, I would like to thank my family and the stunning illustrator, Alessandra Fusi, whose images have lit up my life on an almost daily basis this year—how lucky am I to be working with you and to have watched you bring each idea to life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited.

The publisher would like to thank: Sam Priddy and Jo Clark for getting this project off the ground. Alexina Thielemans of Astound Agency. Lynne Murray and Romaine Werblow for picture library assistance. Caroline Twomey for proofreading. Marie Lorimer for indexing. Jake for his design prowess and compositions. And most of all, Tamara, for her kindness, patience, adaptability, and for teaching us about dragons!

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISBN: 978-0-7440-2765-5 DK books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. For details, contact: DK Publishing Special Markets, 1450 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, New York 10018 [email protected] Printed and bound in China

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