Western Dragons Quick Facts

"The Glory of the Golden Dragon"
by Steve Simmons | art directed by Andrew Bill
© Holland Studio Craft Ltd.

1. Traditionally, a symbol of evil.

2. Often depicted with a bulky, definite lizard-shape.

3. Notoriously solitary.

4. The snake was at the core of Western dragon mythology.

5. Most dragons encountered in Europe were killed in a great battle [often involving valiant knights, heroes, and the so-fair maidens in distress].

6. The Peluda was an amphibious French dragon that was also known as the "shaggy beast".

7. The word dragon can be traced to a Greek word meaning "sharp-sighted one".

8. Gozon, a Mediterranean hero, had the words "Here lies the Dragon Slayer" on his tomb. It is said to have been the only tomb with the inscription.

9. The Celtic word Pendragon means "chief".

10. Nidhogg, from Norse mythology, was destined to survive even the end of the world.