Dragons, a longstanding ferocious creature dominating the pages of many literary greats, have had an interesting and storied past (get it?) in their presence within stories, books and poems. In other forms of media, there are some common themes but a variety of different ways in which they act, look, breathe flame – and so much other stuff!
This article is not going to be a totally exhaustive list of every single dragon depiction ever, but I am aiming to cover some popular beasts as well as unique interpretations, as well as early representations – and where we stand today.
Origins of the dragon
Folklore is where the dragon got its humble beginnings – and nearly all early settlements had their own form of winged, serpentine beast which could be identified as one. Mesopotamian, Egyptian, East Asian and Greek myths specifically had a lot to say about dragons, varying as to whether they were positive or hostile beings, their power and other aspects.
The origins of the name ‘dragon’ came into play during the early 13th century, and usually referred to a serpent-like beast, though its Greek etymology refers to sharp eyesight and is thought to have arisen from a likeness to the unblinking snakes’ eyes.
What is a dragon?
Our modern view of a winged, fire-breathing creature comes from the art of the middle ages, and decades of subtle storytelling revisions as the tale got passed through cultures. Generally, nowadays dragons are depicted as living in caves, hoarding wealth and terrifying anyone in their path.
Dragon legends
Vying for the top spot of dragon-related literature, Beowulf – one of the oldest surviving pieces of English literature – is an epic poem which details the battle between the titular character and a dragon, enraged at having a thief steal its treasure and deciding to torment a nearby human settlement. The dragon is ultimately slain by Beowulf, but had delivered a deadly counter-attack in the form of a poisonous bite, killing his killer.
Young adult stories also feature dragons, often as a first foray for new readers into the world of fantasy. Some great series like the Inheritance Cycle (written by a then 15-year-old Christopher Paolini!), How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, or The Last Dragon Chronicles by Chris d’Lacey are page-turning adventures into these behemoths!
Dragons have got their claws into a lot of other texts too along the years, including in Frank Baum’s The Land of Oz series, prominently in the world of Middle-earth and of course in Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling – not forgetting countless short stories too.
Dragon literature reccomendations
If you’re looking to delve into dragon literature, why not try some stories like:
- Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
- A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons by J. Penner
- Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland
- Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin
- When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
‘Come not between the dragon, and his wrath’ – Shakespeare
That was a brief look into some dragon literature – with some antique names as well as modern retellings for good measure! Do explore the wide range of genres that dragons appear in and you may just find your new obsession!
Impish Fen 
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