The etymological origin of the term dragon is found in Greek. Exactly it is found in the word "drakon", which can be translated as "dragon" or "serpent", and which would later reach Latin to become "draco, draconis".
The term refers to a fantastic creature with a reptilian body and wings , which is characterized by its ferocity and its ability to expel fire from its mouth.
Throughout history , many cultures alluded to dragons, making them protagonists of myths, legends and stories. The characteristics attributed to these beings vary depending on 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 confront 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: oriental and European. The former have, above all, Chinese origin and the latter emerged from Greek mythologies as well as traditions from the old continent.
Depending on the type of dragon in question and its origin, that figure may have one or another symbology. Thus, for example, in the Middle Ages in Europe the dragon was seen as a being that symbolized 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 Himalayan area it comes to represent good luck.
The red Welsh dragon is one of the most famous. Present on the flag of the European country, legend says 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 to recover a treasure.
There are numerous 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 was released in 2010. It tells the story of the friendship that is established between a young Viking, Hiccup, who wants to become a warrior. and a wounded dragon. Together they will achieve their objectives 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 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.
The Komodo dragon , finally, is the common name for the species Varanus komodoensis . This lizard can measure up to three meters and weigh about seventy kilograms.