why dragons are everywhere in every culture

Dragons are mythical creatures that breathe fire and terror in European stories, while bringing good fortune to Chinese celebrations. From the frigid peaks of Scandinavia to the scorching sands of Arabia, why do these magical animals appear in nearly every culture on the planet? In today’s video, we’ll investigate the enigma of the dragon’s global fascination. How do cultures separated by oceans and millennia all tell legends about these powerful creatures? We’ll explore the fascinating realm of dragons, investigating their origins, various forms, and profound significance in human society. Prepare to embark on a journey through time and myth to learn why dragons appear everywhere.

Dragon legends are common in many civilizations from the Americas to Europe, and India to China. They have a long and colorful history in different forms and continue to appear in our books, films, and television programs where courageous heroes strive to vanquish these formidable creatures. It is unclear when or where dragon myths initially appeared, but massive flying serpents were mentioned as early as the time of the ancient Greeks and Sumerians. In his introduction to "The Penguin Book of Dragons" (Penguin Classics, 2021), Scott G. Bruce writes that during the ancient world, they took the form of enormous serpents ready to crush with their coils and kill with their venomous breath. Throughout history, dragons have been depicted like every other mythical animal—sometimes beneficial and protective, sometimes poisonous and dangerous.

China has the oldest continuous tradition of dragon stories, extending back over 5,000 years. Dragons are associated with imperial control and good fortune in Chinese imagery. The dragons of Chinese legend lived in remote waterways and, while usually wingless, could fly. Crucially, they delivered rain and thus the fruits of the soil. Dragon years are the most auspicious of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Dragons are still as popular in modern China as they were thousands of years ago, serving as puppet costumes in New Year celebrations, boat races, building adornments, and more.

Why are dragons so popular? To answer this question, we must explore why dragons are a common theme in fantasy and sci-fi novels. Dragons are simply the manifestation of the imagination. They are not just prevalent in literature; they are part of history itself. Throughout recorded history, there has always been some form of monster known as a dragon. While modern interpretations of dragons may not be consistent with all the creatures previously referred to as such, the fascination remains.

Assuming that all dragons are the same is too simplistic. The dragons of medieval Europe were frequently fire-breathing, lizard-like animals with powerful bodies, bat-like wings, and horns. They were often thought of as evil beings, with folklore stories sometimes featuring a valiant hero slaying the dragon to steal its treasure or free its terrified townspeople. Even within portrayals of European dragons, there is significant variety. In Eastern Asian culture, dragons had a slightly different purpose. Dragons, sometimes with a magical aura, were symbols of power, strength, and good luck. Tion Long, the Celestial Dragon in Chinese culture, was said to guard the heavens while floating among the clouds. Meanwhile, Quetzalcoatl, meaning Feathered Serpent in Mesoamerican culture, was a deity central to their spiritual beliefs, regarded as playing a crucial role in humanity's evolution.

There are differences, but the parallels across mythological creatures are astonishing, especially given that these societies were geographically apart and had minimal cultural interchange at the time of mythmaking. Several hypotheses exist regarding how this convergent evolution of ideas occurred. Adrienne Mayor, a classic folklorist and historian of prehistoric science at Stanford University, proposed that early humans imagined mythological animals, particularly griffins, after misunderstanding extinct creature fossils. It's not difficult to envision coming across the prehistoric remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and mistaking it for a fearsome dragon-like animal. Another notion is that monsters are an archetype deeply embedded in the human mind. Dr. David E. Jones, a scholar of anthropology at the University of Central Florida, claims in his book "An Instinct for Dragons" that tales about dragons are so prevalent because humans evolved to create a mental imprint of hazardous predators. Jones suggests that the dragon combines features of the most ferocious creatures: a crocodile, a snake, a bird of prey, and a large cat.

Whatever the cause behind this common story, dragons have an undeniable impact on us. They have been present for thousands of years and continue to be a source of interest, appearing in some of the most popular works of fiction, including "The Hobbit," the "Harry Potter" series, "Game of Thrones," and "Pokémon."

What if dragons actually existed? Is this possible? To some degree, yes. In fact, the most bizarre aspect of them—the ability to breathe fire—is also the most easily explained. When it comes to true fire-breathing creatures, science first turns to the tiny bombardier beetle, which ejects boiling hot poisonous chemicals from its body when threatened. The method is entirely natural, similar to a squid's ink defense or a skunk’s spray, repelling potential predators by burning them. Renowned paleontologist Henry G. suggests something comparable could occur in a dragon's throat. He predicts that if an animal could somehow internally mix ethanol and sulfuric acid, it could produce diethyl ether, which is so flammable that simply spitting it out would ignite it.

But suppose these scientifically improbable six-limbed animals did exist. We simple humans would undoubtedly fear them. They would sit above us on the food chain, capable of destroying towns, cities, buildings, forests, and entire armies in seconds. There are already lethal animals on Earth, but none are as fiercely hostile, ferocious, and unpredictable as dragons. Gustav, a six-meter-long Nile crocodile in Burundi, said to have killed at least 300 people, was once labeled the most prolific serial killer alive. In real life, there were also the famed lions of Tsavo. Some pop culture dragons tap into a more positive aspect of our imagined coexistence. If dragons could be tamed, they might become our allies, friends, or even pets. After all, domesticated exotic animals haven't been uncommon in recent history, even if they are contentious. There would undoubtedly be supporters of dragon racing for sport, while others would advocate for dragon freedom. Dragons would have a considerably stronger influence on our art, culture, and history in general, and their presence would serve as a continual reminder of our place in the world. They would rule the Earth, which would be both terrible and wonderful.

As we've explored the mythology, history, and cultural significance of dragons, it’s evident that these majestic creatures have left an incredible impression on our imagination. Dragons have captured our imaginations and hearts for millennia, from ancient cultures in China and Europe to the vibrant mythology of Mesoamerica. They reflect our deepest fears and greatest hopes, as well as the risks and wonders of the unknown. Investigating why dragons are such a universal symbol reveals how they evolved across traditions, reflecting our common human experience. Whether as frightening monsters or benevolent protectors, dragons continue to inspire amazement and wonder in both past and modern popular culture. They serve as a reminder of the power of imagination and the eternal character of myth.

So, the next time you see a dragon in a book, film, or even at a festival, you’ll understand how deeply their roots go in our shared history. They’re not just legendary beings; they represent our shared human journey across time and culture.