Dragons

[Berenost]

Dragons. Anybody out there know anyhting at all about dragons. i consider myself one and i would like to hear all that you know about them. websites, books, articles, anything related, i would like to hear from ya. later. ~Berenost~

[LV426]

Dragons. Anybody out there know anyhting at all about dragons. i consider myself one and i would like to hear all that you know about them. websites, books, articles, anything related, i would like to hear from ya. later. ~Berenost~

Oh boy, this is gonna take a bit. Tell you what, I will post what I have but I will do it in sections because my Dragon Lore is all done by region and there is just way too much to post here in one post. So everyday I will add a new region and you can read to your heart's content.

South American Dragons
There were many Mesoamaerican civilizations that have mysteriously disappeared in South America. There were the Aztecs, Olmec, Zapotec, Chimu, Mixtes, Incas, Toltecs, and Moches. There are also other civilizations that are still around today. Snake gods were very prevalent in this area, they symbolized fertility and the elements to these people. Although they were snake gods of some kind some seem to be more draconic in nature.

Quetzalcoatl
To the Mayans he was known as Kuhulkan, the the Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl. He was the colored scaled and brightly feathered serpent god. Of all the peoples his image has shown up repeatedly in carvings and drawings on their temples and pottery. Quetzalcoatl, the God of the morning and evening star, the inventor of the calendar, the fire bringer, and the rain maker, and most of all he was the only one of his kind that did not demand human sacrifice. The carvings of the Serpent God are depicted as having a a large feathered neck, sharp teeth, and a serpentine feathered body. He was essentially a good God that brought many gifts to his people and he was often seen flying high in the sky, the sun reflecting in beautiful prisms from the multi-colored feathers that adorned his body. He was also known to take the form of a man and the sun. It is said that Quetzalcoatl tried to protect his people from the evil gods and their destruction but in the end he failed and merely disappeared, as did the people who worshipped him. ^Mayans^


^Olmecs and Mayans^
Hurakan
The Mayans and the Olmecs believed that the winds of the hurricane and the earth shaking of the earthquake were due to the prescence pf the Dragon named Hurakan. In fact the name hurricane comes from this creature. In carvings he is depicted as having only one hind leg, the leg of destruction, and two forelegs, one facing up and the the other facing down, representing the spinning and dancing force of hurricane winds.

~^Aztec^
The Feathered Serpent Pyramid In Teotihuacam, Mexico a great temple was built to the Feathered Serpent Quetzalcoatl. Called the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, it towers over the land and contains many underground passages. Of course the feathered image of Quetzalcoatl is seen but a second image is carved upon the temple that is much different from the other creatures. It seems to be a rather crocodilian face with fangs like the teeth of a jaguar and two upraised bumps, possibly horns on its head. The nostrils are carved far apart and it's eyes are close together giving the impression that the face should be elongated. It seems to be a crocodile type god but with the body of a serpent and apart from the elongated face it has no other crocodilian features.

Coatlcue
A fierce goddess represented as having two dragon like heads and wearing a skirt of snakes, perhaps like the Africans, South America had it's own version of the hydra. It is sometimes shown as having human form and represents the duality of nature, somewhat like the asian yin/yang.

^Inca^

Mama Pacha
An ancient Earth Goddess of the Inca, she is depicted as a huge dragon which causes earthquakes.

Miscellaneous Dragons

Mboi-Tu'I The Guarani people from Paraguay had a friendly god known as the protector of amphibians,aquatic animals, and flowers. He was portrayed as having the head of a parrot and the body of a serpent.

Amphitere, associated with the wind and rain this mexican dragon has the wings of a bird and the tail of a serpent.

Capacti was said to have been the dragon that created the earth, and is known as the dragon of creation.

There is till much that is not known about the peoples of South America and their beliefs but we have representations of their gods and goddesses and even the dragons that they believed took care of them. Perhaps the dragons, as the people have disappeared into the mists of time but the mysteries still fuel the imagination for what might have been and what could still be.

[LeenaAngelWing]

I know TOOOOOOO much to put here. instant message me at LeenaDemonTail or MyLifeIsAnRPG and I could talk to you for hours!

[LV426]

^France^

The dragons of France are mostly associated with water, usually dwelling in large caverns beneath various bodies of water. Usually the dragon tales regard to the kidnapping of children as food for the dragon. Other tales are those of dragon's stealing women to feed their hatchlings. Apparently the hatchlings could only be fed from the breast of a mortal woman.

Tarasque
One of the most well known of french dragons was the Tarasque. Covered in armor plated scales and walking on six legs, this beast breathed fire, ate men and beasts alike and was said to have cause great floods by whipping it's tail through the Rhone River. Common weapons couold not kill the beast and it was eventually subdued by a young girl named Martha who later became a saint. She used a cross to subdue the creature then cut off her braided hair and used her braids to tether the beast and brought it back to a village where the townsfolk prompty beat the beast to death. The town Tarascon is said to be named after the Tarasque.

Drac
Living in the river Rhone during the 13th century was a winged monster called Drac. Killing over 3,000 villagers and knights, this dragon aimed most of it's attacks at the village of Beaucaire. Dozens of armies undertook the campaign to slay this creature but none were successful.

One myth is that a young woman was taken by the dragon to care for her hatchlings. She was under a spell that made her forget her mortal life for seven years as she cared for the hatchlings. She and all mortals were unable to see the dragon unless the dragon wanted them to. But while the woman was rubbing a dragon cream on the hatchlings under her care she got some in her eye causing her to be gifted with draconic sight and she was able to see the dragon. After being returned to her village after the seven years the woman tried to warn the townspeople of the dragon but they did not believe her. When the dragon discovered that the woman could see her she returned and ripped out the woman's eye so that her prescence could no longer be revealed.

Early french and germanic histories tell of the fights and campaigns against this dragon, Ocino, Ragnarold, and Umberto of Guineve all attempted to kill this dragon. Unfortunately they were unsuccessful and it is supposed that this dragon died of old age.

Gargouille
The River Seine also had its own fire-breathing monster that attacked the town of Rouen and comsuming beasts and man alike. It was killed in the 7th century by St. Romanus, the archbishop of Rouen.

Melusine
One of the most well known dragon myths is that of Melusine. Melusine was a dragon that took on the form of a beautiful human maiden who eventually married Count Anjou and lived happily with him and bore him children. Unfortunately the townspeople found out and wished to destroy her and so she shifted back to her draconic form and taking her children she flew away.

Vouivre
High in the Alpin regions of France dwelled this dragon named Vouivre. A quite beautiful dragon, it's scales sparkled like diamonds and it wore a crown decorated in pearls. In the center of its head was an enormous red ruby that served as it's only eye. The gem was so bright and luminous that it looked as if the dragon was surrounded by fire as it flew through the night sky.

The dragon lived in the mountainous ruins of an old abbey and was invulnerable to attack except for one night a year. It is said on that one night that the dragon would fly to a stream of a lake and remove the gem from it's forhead thereby rendering it blind as it entered the waters to bathe.

Pagan beliefs held the dragons as creatures of the elements, beings that worked with the forces of nature. As Christianity appeared it turned those beliefs. Dragons instead of being creatures that lived as many animals do were now creatures of evil and in league with the forces of Satan. Perhaps the dragons of France have fled to the highest reaches to escape persecution from those that would not understand or perhaps they lie sleeping in their watery caves waiting for a chance to take to the air once more as great beasts of mystery and magnificence.

[Berenost]

Thanks, both of you. LycanthropicHowl, please keep the info coming, it is a great help and you know a h*ll of a lot about dragons. thanks. LeenaAngelWing, i'll get to ya as soon as i can. Thanks again.
~Berenost~

[LV426]

^Celts^
The Celtic people existed in one form or another throughout Europe from the 9th century B.C.E. to the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. Though they would not have known themselves as 'Celts', their language was almost the same, as was their druidic belief structure throughout the area. This gave rise to the generalization of their name.

It is well established that serpents played a great role in the lives of the Celtic people. They stood for healing as well as other mysterious magical abilities. We are not, however, talking about serpents here, but dragons. What then did the Celts believe about these fantastic creatures? What were they to them?

To quote The Encyclopaedia of the Celts,

"The Celtic dragon represents sovereignty, power or a chief, such as 'Pendragon', the Celtic word meaning 'chief'."

It would appear that Celtic dragons were dragons of Earth and Water. Oftentimes they did not have legs but were more serpentine. They could have ram's horns instead of the straight horns of later European depictions, and were clearly associated with the protection of great wealth or knowledge. It was also said that they were attracted to the color of red, much as a bull is. At least one that we know of was slain because of this.

It would seem that although dragons were considered by some to be simply a much larger version of the serpent in this belief structure, there is obviously much more to it. Read on and find out why I feel this way.

Cernunnos ("The Horned One", Hu Gadarn)
As the god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld, Cernunnos had worshippers throughout Gaul and into Britain itself. He was known by another name too. The Celts called him "Hu Gadarn", and in this manifestation he was the god of the underworld and astral planes. He was often seen in the company of multiple animals including a ram-headed serpent. An interesting note is that thisd is the only serpent who's horns appear to be those of a Ram.

In nearly every picture of this popular diety this peculiar horned serpent is with him. Cernunnos either wears it as a belt, or we can see it gliding along beside him. Occasionally he is seen feeding two such creatures fruit from his lap, or even having two horned serpents for legs. It is widely accepted that the horned serpent represents virility and renewal. This creature is obviously an Earth Spirit, as it is so closely connected to a god of the Earth. It should also be underlined that Cernunnos is, among other things, a god of wealth.

Celtic Knotwork is an artform that has continued to thrive no matter what the fashion of the day may be. This is because it's lines are beautiful, classic, and timeless. The most amazing pieces involve the convoluted contortions of dragons.

Although the dragon shows up frequently in their art and architecture, it is curious to note that it does not show up as often in what we know of their mythology...at least as far as ancient history is concerned. Their descendants have more than made up for it, however.

^Ireland^

Although most people associate Ireland with leprechauns and faeries, there is still a large amount of dragon information one can find if you look hard enough. Irish dragons were as diverse and eclectic as most fairy beings were. It is tough to point to one and say, "Yes! That's an Irish Dragon."

Some had legs, others had none. Some breathed fire, some didn't. Some lived in lakes or the ocean, others in caves or castles. They were all greatly feared, however, and also greatly admired...at least for their treasure.

Dragon of Connacht
A dragon that guarded a magical rowan tree which grew on an island in the center of a large lake. Though there is little to describe it, it was known to be scaled. It lived in the deep water and only attacked if humans or other seekers of it's magical tree swam into it's waters. It was killed by a Prince named Froech who had been sent after a branch of the tree it was guarding. Froech was apparently unaware of the danger in the lake, but fully aware that he would die in, or near water one day and knew that Queen Maeve, the mother of his lover, wanted him dead. He did die of the wounds from the battle with the dragon, and his young love Findabair grieved for all time. In some renditions, she died with him. This, then, is the myth of how man gained the knowledge of the rowan tree's magic.

Water Dragons
These dragons seem to be the most predominant of the bunch, so I will start with them. In a book entitled, 'Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland' written by a wonderful lady named Lady Gregory in 1920, there are numerous accounts of people who either had encounters with dragons or knew someone who did. Rather than try to fathom what they might have meant, or try to put her own spin on these stories, she just wrote down exactly what they told her in their own words. I thank her for her wonderful contribution.

Stories of "wyrms" - "The lake down there (Lough Graney) is an enchanted place, and old people told me that one time they were swimming there, and a man had gone out into the middle and they saw something like a great big 'eel' making for him, and they called out, "If ever you were a great swimmer show us now how you can swim to the shore," for they wouldn't frighten him by saying what was behind him. So he swam to the shore, and he only got there when the thing behind him was in the place where he was. For there are queer things in lakes."

- "And as for the monster, I never saw it in Coole Lake, but one day I was coming home with my two brothers from Tirneevan school, and there as we passed Dhulough we heard a great splashing, and we saw some creature put up its head, with a head and a mane like a horse. And we didn't stop but ran."

From - "Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland" : Collected and Arranged by Lady Gregory - 1920

Of course there are hundreds of lakes throughout Ireland that are host to some notorious beasts. Perhaps not quite so popular as Scotland's 'Loch Ness Monster', but locally well known nonetheless. Lake monsters seem to be most prevalent throughout these 'Celtic' places, and Ireland apparently has it's share. I will do more on the sea serpents and water monsters on a seperate page, as they are far too numerous to list here.

Witchcraft and Dragons
Occasionally one will come across a story in Ireland about people who have turned themselves into dragons for their own ends. Usually this would involve the use of witchcraft, and it is almost always a female who does it. This does not always mean that the person doing it is evil either. Sometimes they are just curious, or desperately in need of a dragon's supernatural aid.

Witchy Dragon Tale
"There was a woman at Glenlough when I was young could change herself into an 'eel'. It was in Galway Workhouse Hospital she got the knowledge. A woman that had the knowledge of doing it by witchcraft asked her would she like to learn, and she said that she would, for she didn't know what it would bring on her. For every time she did it, she'd be in bed a fortnight after with all she'd go through. Sir Martin O'Neill when he was a young lad heard of it, and he got her into a room, and made her do it for him, and when he saw her change to an 'eel' he got frightened and tried to get away, but she got between him and the door, and showed her teeth at him and growled. She wasn't the better of that for a fortnight after."

From - "Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland" : Collected and Arranged by Lady Gregory; with Two Essays and Notes by W.B. Yeats Circa - 1920

Some people even believe cats are dragons who were changed by some great upheaval in the world! They say that this is because cats are hard to kill, they are dangerous, and that if it clawed or bit you it could be poisonous. They believe that this is proof of the 'serpent's tooth'.

Ollipeist
This dragon fled Ireland when St. Patrick rid the island of snakes and dragons. As he ran, he created a furrow in the earth that is now known as the Shannon Valley.
Attacking Dragons
Ireland also harbors tales of dragons who will attack without provocation. One such story from an Irishman told how he and a friend of his were walking home one night only to see something rise up before them, roar loudly, ascend into the air 'like a goose', and fall back to the ground. They ran away, but not before the mysterious creature had 'laid hold' of his friend's trousers, effectively giving them both a restless night's sleep.

Another story says that a woman near Clough had been out milking her cow. When she completed her task, she got up to go do something else and was shocked to see a 'worm' coming straight for her! It was described as being at least eight feet long and was able to jump about eight yards trying to reach her. Apparently the woman escaped because that's all there was to that story.

Whatever the tale or story, the dragons of Ireland live still in the beliefs of the people of her lands. It is not hard to imagine that in the swirling mists over the moors that great beasts sleep their silent slumbers and fill the dreams of man.

[LV426]

^Norse Dragons and Serpents ^

There are many different types of Norse dragons throughout their myths and legends. Several sagas were even written telling the life and death struggles of the heroes who had to deal with them.

In the North, dragons were mostly associated with water. They lived in cold seas, misty lakes, storms, and fogs. Sometimes they laired in deep underground caverns, and came out only if they were hungry, or a good thunderstorm was underway. Most of them were serpent dragons, although a few had other dragon-ish characteristics. The Norse were known for their respect of dragons, but it is clear that most Norse dragons were 'chaotic' types. Though they caused destruction, it was so something new and wonderful could be made.

The Norse used dragons as guardians for many things. They put intricately carved heads on the prow of their boats, on churches, and on buildings to frighten enemies, and to ward off the elements. In fact, dragons were apparently so numerous, that in some parts of Scandinavia and Northern Germany they were said to be as common to see in flight as migrating birds! They even named many of their towns and cities after dragons! Drakelow, Drakeford, Draconis, Draga, etc. Here are a few of the more famous Norse dragons.

~Fafnir~

The large dragon who, in the Old German Tale of the Volsungs, guards the treasures of light and is killed by Sigurd. Originally, he was human, but he killed his father for his treasure and turned into a dragon due to his greed. Fafnir and Sigurd actually have quite a long conversation in which Fafnir gives Sigurd a lot of information that mortals normally wouldn't know. He told Sigurd of the treachery of his teacher, Regin, who was truly evil. He also gave Sigurd some good advice about the gold being a curse rather than a treasure, but of course Sigurd did not listen. Sigurd hid in a trench and stabbed the soft underbelly of Fafnir as he came out to drink at the river. A drop of Fafnir's blood got into Sigurd's mouth, and he was able to understand the language of birds. Sigurd also took the birds' advice, and bathed in the blood, thus making him invulnerable. He is shaped more like the Western dragons. Four feet, terrifying red eyes, able to breathe fire, etc., etc. Fafnir was very wise, and though all of his advice came as he lay dying, it was still kind of him to give it. Poor Sigurd had been trained by an evil dwarf, and tricked into killing the dragon so that the dwarf could get his hands on the treasure.
~Jormungand~ (World Serpent, Midgard Serpent, Midgaard Serpent, Jormungandr, Iormungand, and many others)
BR> One of the three children of Loki, the Midgard Serpent encircles the world with his many coils. He is long enough that he can swallow his own tail. One of the myths surrounding him, is the fateful fishing trip of Thor and his companion Hymir. While out fishing one day, Thor himself caught this serpent, and since they were mortal enemies, he tried to slay it. Of course the Midgard Serpent would have done the same to Thor but this would have precipitated Ragnarok, or the end of the world. So his fishing companion cut the line, and freed the serpent, thereby making Thor angry. Thor knocked Hymir out of the boat, but luckily Hymir arrived safe on the land. The Midgard Serpent and Thor will square off in the great battle of Ragnarok, and Thor will kill him with a great blow by his hammer Mjollnir, however he will die from the poison of the serpent. The Midgard Serpent is described as being a small serpent at first, but when thrown into the sea grew to enormous size. In fact, it grew so large that it eventually bit at it's own tail, encircling the world. This is important, because it is said that if he ever lets go of his tail, the world will disintegrate into chaos!

~Nidhogg~
This is the serpent dragon that knaws the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. He is considered a dragon of chaos, because from destruction, new life can be made. He is also the one responsible for stripping the flesh from corpses, which explains decomposition. (Yuck!) One day he will succeed in eating away at the Tree and it will die. This is of course during Ragnarok, because the Norns who replenish the Tree from the Well of Fate will be too busy to help the Tree heal itself. He is assisted in his task by smaller serpents named Graback, Grafvolluth, Goin and Moin. They live in Niflheim (House of Mists) which is in the far northern region of icy fogs and mists, darkness and cold, on the lowest level of the universe. Helheim, or the realm of death, is also part of this region. Niflheim lies underneath the third root of Yggdrasil. Also situated on this level is Nastrond, the Shore of Corpses. This is where Nidhogg eats the corpses and gnaws on the root of the Tree.

~Tatzlwurm~
A small, extremely poisonous dragon with two legs, although sometimes depicted with four, almost impenetrable scales, and able to leap up to two or three yards at a time. Just it's breath is said to be deadly to humans, and it is highly aggressive. It will attack anything that moves within it's vicinity.

~Grendel and his Mother~
These were the dragons that plagued The King of Denmark. Some say these were not dragons, but many believe that they were dragons who had merely taken humanoid forms. I am one of the latter. The reason I have for this, is that these creatures behaved in similar ways to the rest of the dragons in Norse myths. They created chaos, and in it's wake peace reigned over the kingdom. The King of Denmark was also forced to build a new feast hall that was even more wonderful than the first because of the trouble, and with the slaying of these creatures Beowulf became a famous hero, and was able to save many others because of the faith people put in his word-fame afterwards.They are both described as monstrous, with scales and sharp teeth, and they live in an underwater lair which sounds remarkably like lairs ascribed to water dragons/sea dragons. If you read the verse I have chosen to add here, you will see that the denizens of this horrible lake are mostly snake-like, or flat out stated as dragons. This leads me to believe that these two creatures may just have been meant as water dragons of some type, though they never really come out and say it.

"Sometimes a horn sang out,
an eager war song, but
the troop all waited, watching
along the water the kin
of snakes, strange sea dragons,
swimming in the deep or
lying on the steep slopes--
water monsters, serpents, and
wild beasts, such as the ones
that appear on a dangerous
sea journey in the morning time.
When those creatures heard
the war horn's note
they hurried away
bitter and angry."

Adaptation from the Old English version of 'Beowulf' by Dr. David Breeden 'Beowulf' - Culture Cafe

Notice the amount of serpent-like creatures that inhabit this lake with Grendel and his mother. Far too many for them to not be of a 'like' nature.

The first dragon(Grendel) came in the semi-form of a man, meaning he had two legs. Grendel could not be harmed by normal weapons nor did he ever use them in an attack. Beowulf fought him bare-handed, which was a mark of honor in that he refused to fight with a weapon when his opponent was himself unarmed. He ripped off the monster's arm, and it states in the poem that due to the severity of the injury, Grendel would die soon. The second dragon was Grendel's mother. His mother was even more ferocious than Grendel was. She escaped with, and eventually killed, Beowulf's most trusted companion. Beowulf followed her back to the lake they lived in and dove in after her. There he apparently found an underwater cave where she had placed the body of Grendel. After a horrible battle, Beowulf killed the female dragon too.

Beowulf also met another dragon.

~The Hoard-Keeper~

This is the only name I could find for the last dragon Beowulf fought. Though the Hoard-Keeper hadn't bothered anyone the whole time it lived above their town in it's hidden cave where it guarded the treasure of an ancient king, it eventually became the victim of a thief. When it could not find him, it took it's revenge out on everyone else in the area.

Here is his description before he was robbed...


An old night-ravager,
that one which, burning,
seeks a burial mound,
the smooth dragon of malice who flies by night
encompassed in fire,
found the hoard
standing open.


Earth dwellers fear him much.
He must seek a hoard
in the earth, where,
old in winters, he
will guard heathen
gold, though he gains
nothing from it.


After the thief had stolen a cup that belonged to it, the dragon got angry!

The beginning was fearful
to people in the land,
as was the ending:
death for their king.
The fiend spouted fire,
burned bright houses--
the glow of fire stood out,
a horror to the people.
That terrible sky-flier
wished to leave
nothing alive.


So, because of the terror of the people, Beowulf had to slay it. This is a classic example of the 'hoard guarding, fire breathing' Western dragon story. You will note in the last line of the first grouping from the story, that it says "...will guard heathen/ gold, though he gains/ nothing from it."

It seems as if this dragon was justified in his anger and terror, for I know many that would be just as upset if someone took their things.

[el rey]

:cool: hey i don't Know a thing about dragons but i would like to know about them. i am just looking around in the distance and i don't see any big flying monsters like they show on movies. they make dragons look all cool and stuff but how do u know if they really look like that if you haven't ever seen one. :shrug:

[spawnofFenrir]

Isnt Niflheim the norse underworld?

[Xavious]

I'm not sure about this but wasn't there a dragon called Ragnarok? I know I've heard of it in some kind of myth but I can't remember.

[LV426]

I'm not sure about this but wasn't there a dragon called Ragnarok? I know I've heard of it in some kind of myth but I can't remember.
Ragnarok is the end of the world.

Ragnarok ("Doom of the Gods"), also called Gotterdammerung, means the end of the cosmos in Norse mythology. It will be preceded by Fimbulvetr, the winter of winters. Three such winters will follow each other with no summers in between. Conflicts and feuds will break out, even between families, and all morality will disappear. This is the beginning of the end.
The wolf Skoll will finally devour the sun, and his brother Hati will eat the moon, plunging the earth [into] darkness. The stars will vanish from the sky. The cock Fjalar will crow to the giants and the golden cock Gullinkambi will crow to the gods. A third cock will raise the dead.

The earth will shudder with earthquakes, and every bond and fetter will burst, freeing the terrible wolf Fenrir. The sea will rear up because Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is twisting and writhing in fury as he makes his way toward the land. With every breath, Jormungand will stain the soil and the sky with his poison. The waves caused by the serpent's emerging will set free the ship Naglfar, and with the giant Hymir as their commander, the giants will sail towards the battlefield. From the realm of the dead a second ship will set sail, and this ship carries the inhabitants of hell, with Loki as their helmsman. The fire giants, led by the giant Surt, will leave Muspell in the south to join against the gods. Surt, carrying a sword that blazes like the sun itself, will scorch the earth.

Meanwhile, Heimdall will sound his horn, calling the sons of Odin and the heroes to the battlefield. From all the corners of the world, gods, giants, dwarves, demons and elves will ride towards the huge plain of Vigrid ("battle shaker") where the last battle will be fought. Odin will engage Fenrir in battle, and Thor will attack Jormungand. Thor will victorious, but the serpent's poison will gradually kill the god of thunder. Surt will seek out the swordless Freyr, who will quickly succumb to the giant. The one-handed Tyr will fight the monstrous hound Garm and they will kill each other. Loki and Heimdall, age-old enemies, will meet for a final time, and neither will survive their encounter. The fight between Odin and Fenrir will rage for a long time, but finally Fenrir will seize Odin and swallow him. Odin's son Vidar will at once leap towards the wolf and kill him with his bare hands, ripping the wolf's jaws apart.

Then Surt will fling fire in every direction. The nine worlds will burn, and friends and foes alike will perish. The earth will sink into the sea.

After the destruction, a new and idyllic world will arise from the sea and will be filled with abundant supplies. Some of the gods will survive, others will be reborn. Wickedness and misery will no longer exist and gods and men will live happily together. The descendants of Lif and Lifthrasir will inhabit this earth.

[LV426]

Japan

Although the japanese dragons resmeble their chinese counterparts in appearance, they are much different in temperment. Japan is a beautiful country rich in are and spirituality and the dragons are a part of that. Beautiful carvings, intricate embroidery, and exquisite sculptures, depict the dragon in many different forms.

Blue Dragon
A guardian of the Japanese Zodiac, the blue dragon represents the East. To be born under this sign means that you are energetic, short tempered, stubborn, honest sensitive, brave, and can inspire trust in those you meet. The year of the dragon is for those born in these years, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, and 2000. Out of the twelve signs of the zodiac it is said that the dragon is the most unusual.

Ryujin
Known as the "Luminous Beast", this great wyrm is a god of the sea and lives in a great underwater palace named Ryugu. He is known as the dragon king and controls the tidal flows with magical jewels. Turtles are considered messangers of the dragon king. This dragon is often depicted with a very large mouth sometimes open.

Ryu
A dragon versitile in the places it can live. He is one of the four sacred creatures of the Orient and symbolizes rain and storms.

Uwibami
A fearsome serpent of immeasurable size that devoured humans whole. It is said in legends that Yegara-no-Heida slay the beast.

Yofune-Nushi
Beneath the rocks of Ohi Island lived a dragon of storms named Yofune-Nushi. He craved young female flesh and terrorized the villagers of Oki Island, demanding that they sacrifice a beautiful maiden once a year to him. If refused he threatened to destroy the village and their fishing fleet. A young woman Tokoyo volunteered and so the people sent her to the coast to await the dragon. As the dragon came up from the waters to devour her the young woman leaped forward and drawing a knife she had brought with her, she slashed at its eyes blinding it. As the dragon reared back it exposed it vulnerable throat and Tokoyo dove into the water and killed the dragon.

Yamata-no-orochi
Perhaps the Hydra of the orient this beast was said to have had eight heads and eight tails and to be as long as eight mountains. In legend this dragon also loved to consume young women.

The treasured sword known as Kasunagi, now held as one of the Japanese National Treasures, is also associated with this dragon. It is said that the hero Susanowo traveled the great country of Japan and in his travels he came across a family in distress. The great Yamata-no_orochi had devoured all but one of their daughters. Promising to marry the last lovely daughter, Susanowo had eight jars of Saki prepared and placed them on eight platforms and surrounded them with a fence that had eight openings. He then hid in the woods and waited for the dragon.
Soon the dragon approached with eyes glowing like red coals and snorting great flames from his gaping mouths. His back was covered in moss and his tails swung back and forth sounding like roars of thunder from the moutains. Finding the jars of Sake the dragon proceeded to drink of them until it became drunk and passed out.
Susanowo then crept from his hiding spot and proceeded to sever the eight heads from the dragon's body and then cut off the seven tails, but on the eigth tail as he began to saw through the tail he hit something metallic and hard. Slicing open the tail he discovered the sword Kasunagi and presented it to his sister Amaterau.-World Mythology_

O Goncho
A beautiful dragon pure white that is said to bring famine at the sound of it's cry. Once every fifty years it is said to transform into a beautiful golden bird.

Benzaiten
The Japanese Goddess of Love, was originally a goddess of the sea. She is the patroness of musicians and dancers. She stands for eloquence, wisdom, knowledge, music, and water. She is portrayed as a beautiful woman riding on a dragon and playing an instrument.

The dragons of Japan although beautiful, also seemd to be cold and violent creatures. They were also more elemental dragons, associating with water and earth more than anything else. The dragon was also used in medicine and magic although not in the same way as the Chinese. Violent or benevolent, either way these dragons are beautiful if deadly addititions to this collection of great beasts.

[Xavious]

Ragnarok is the end of the world.

Ragnarok ("Doom of the Gods"), also called Gotterdammerung, means the end of the cosmos in Norse mythology. It will be preceded by Fimbulvetr, the winter of winters. Three such winters will follow each other with no summers in between. Conflicts and feuds will break out, even between families, and all morality will disappear. This is the beginning of the end.
The wolf Skoll will finally devour the sun, and his brother Hati will eat the moon, plunging the earth [into] darkness. The stars will vanish from the sky. The cock Fjalar will crow to the giants and the golden cock Gullinkambi will crow to the gods. A third cock will raise the dead.

The earth will shudder with earthquakes, and every bond and fetter will burst, freeing the terrible wolf Fenrir. The sea will rear up because Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is twisting and writhing in fury as he makes his way toward the land. With every breath, Jormungand will stain the soil and the sky with his poison. The waves caused by the serpent's emerging will set free the ship Naglfar, and with the giant Hymir as their commander, the giants will sail towards the battlefield. From the realm of the dead a second ship will set sail, and this ship carries the inhabitants of hell, with Loki as their helmsman. The fire giants, led by the giant Surt, will leave Muspell in the south to join against the gods. Surt, carrying a sword that blazes like the sun itself, will scorch the earth.

Meanwhile, Heimdall will sound his horn, calling the sons of Odin and the heroes to the battlefield. From all the corners of the world, gods, giants, dwarves, demons and elves will ride towards the huge plain of Vigrid ("battle shaker") where the last battle will be fought. Odin will engage Fenrir in battle, and Thor will attack Jormungand. Thor will victorious, but the serpent's poison will gradually kill the god of thunder. Surt will seek out the swordless Freyr, who will quickly succumb to the giant. The one-handed Tyr will fight the monstrous hound Garm and they will kill each other. Loki and Heimdall, age-old enemies, will meet for a final time, and neither will survive their encounter. The fight between Odin and Fenrir will rage for a long time, but finally Fenrir will seize Odin and swallow him. Odin's son Vidar will at once leap towards the wolf and kill him with his bare hands, ripping the wolf's jaws apart.

Then Surt will fling fire in every direction. The nine worlds will burn, and friends and foes alike will perish. The earth will sink into the sea.

After the destruction, a new and idyllic world will arise from the sea and will be filled with abundant supplies. Some of the gods will survive, others will be reborn. Wickedness and misery will no longer exist and gods and men will live happily together. The descendants of Lif and Lifthrasir will inhabit this earth.

That was a little more than expected but thanks.