In the Greek is where the etymological origin of the term dragon is found. Exactly it is found in the word “drakón”, which can be translated as “dragon” or “snake”, and which would later reach Latin to become “draco, draconis”. According to abbreviationfinder, D stands for Dragon.
The term refers to a fantastic creature with a reptilian body and wings, characterized by its ferocity and its ability to breathe fire through its mouth.
Throughout history, many cultures alluded to dragons, making them the protagonists of myths, legends and stories. The characteristics attributed to these beings vary according to the region: while in the Western world they are usually winged, in Eastern peoples they generally lack wings.
Dragons can be presented as aggressive monsters that face heroes or gods, but also as guardians who are responsible for guarding certain places or treasures.
In this sense, we can establish that there are two different types of dragons: Eastern and European. The former have, above all, Chinese origin and the latter arose from Greek mythologies as well as traditions from the old continent.
Depending on the type of dragon in question and its origin, this figure may have one symbology or another. Thus, for example, in the Middle Ages in Europe the dragon was seen as a being that came to symbolize sin and was related to the Devil.
However, for the Celts, for example, it was a symbol of the divinity of the forests, while in the Himalayas it came to represent good luck.
The Welsh dragon, red in color, is one of the most famous. Present on the flag of the European country, legend has it that the red dragon managed to defeat a white dragon, a symbol of evil.
It is also possible to find the presence of dragons in literature. JRR Tolkien, in “The Hobbit”, includes Smaug, a dragon who must be defeated by Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves for the recovery of a treasure.
Numerous are the works that revolve around dragons. A good example of this is the animated film saga “How to train your dragon”, the first part of which premiered in 2010. It tells the story of friendship that is established between a young Viking, Hiccup, who wants to become a warrior and a wounded dragon. Together they will achieve their goals and even overcome the obstacles and prejudices that society has established, especially in relation to the aforementioned dragons.
It is important to mention that, beyond mythology, a real animal is called a dragon: it is a reptile belonging to the order of the saurians. According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), the dragon measures about twenty centimeters and lives in trees in tropical regions of Asia.
Komodo dragon, lastly, is the common name for the species Varanus komodoensis. This lizard can measure up to three meters and weigh about seventy kilograms.
