Symbolism of Dragons ☆ Magical Dragon ☆ Art of Jameela ☆ Digital Painting

by Jameela

The dragon is one of the most powerful and popular mythical creatures. The dragon is a multifaceted symbol that has numerous meanings that vary considerably throughout different cultures. European folklore has portrayed dragons as evil, fearsome, and malevolent creatures, while Asian cultures regard them as benevolent creatures, symbolic of good luck. 

In Chinese culture, dragons are powerful and benevolent symbols, that have the magical capability to control over water. They can summon rain, a drought, control hurricanes, and so on. The dragon is one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs. Emperors in ancient China were identified as the sons of dragons, and at that time ordinary people were not allowed to have items with pictures of dragons on them. In Chinese culture, dragons symbolize imperial power, good fortune, power over weather, and water. In Chinese legend there were four dragon kings that each controlled a sea of china, the east sea, south sea, west sea, and north sea. The four dragon kings were believed to be the dispensers of rain and wind. In many Chinese villages there are still some temples and shrines to worship the dragon kings to seek their blessings for good weather and harvest all year round. In ancient times local people offered sacrifices to appease the dragon kings to stop flooding or droughts. Dragons play an important role in Chinese culture. The dragon is the fifth Chinese zodiac sign, part of the twelve animal cycle. People born in the years 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024 belong to the dragon zodiac sign. People born in a year of the dragon are believed to have a personality of confidence, power, resolution, and high esteem. Babies born in a year of the dragon are believed to be lucky, wealthy, and successful. 

In Egyptian mythology, Apep is a giant serpentine creature who resides in the Egyptian underworld. According to an ancient Egyptian papyrus manuscript, written around 310 BC, the setting of the sun is caused by Ra descending to the Egyptian underworld to battle Apep. In some accounts, Apep is as long as the height of eight men, with a head made of flint. Thunderstorms and earthquakes were thought to be caused by Apep's roar, and solar eclipses were thought to be the result of Apep attacking Ra during the daytime. In some myths Apep is slain by the god Set. 

In Korean mythology, dragons are primarily benevolent beings related to water and agriculture, often considered bringers of rain and clouds. Many Korean dragons are said to have presided in rivers lakes oceans, or even deep mountain ponds. In Korean myths, some kings who founded kingdoms were described as descendants of dragons because the dragon was a symbol of the monarch. 

In Japanese culture, most dragons are water deities associated with rainfall and bodies of water. 

The Vietnamese dragon was a mythical creature that was often used as a deity symbol and associated with royalty. Similar to other cultures, dragons in Vietnamese culture represent yang and Godly being associated with creation and life. 

In Celtic legends the dragon is associated with all four elements and cardinal directions. To the druids, dragons represented vitality, the psychic self, ancient wisdom, and the power of creation itself. 

The dragon is a rare and powerful spirit animal symbolic of magical powers, transformation, adaptability, intellect, authority, brilliance, enlightenment, fire and passion, mystery, spiritual awakening, and much more. It is believed that the dragon rules the elements and can take on whatever form he wishes. The dragon has supernatural shape-shifting abilities and the power to transform into any creature including humans and also can take on any shape and form.