10 main types of dragons

Perhaps one of the most popular mythical creatures among most peoples of the world is the dragon (powerful, terrible, very bloodthirsty, but still inexpressibly beautiful).

In different parts of the world, dragons are represented differently (and therefore they sometimes have very significant differences from each other – both in appearance and in character).

But their common features, as a rule, are a reptilian body structure, phenomenal invulnerability, often magical abilities and the ability to control the elements.

It is very difficult to classify these legendary monsters, because even in one region, the local mythological tradition can contain descriptions of up to several dozen species and subspecies of dragons (and in different sources, the description of even the same species may not only not coincide, but even be directly opposite) .

In addition, the fantasy genre beloved by many of us has recently made its own adjustments to the already very difficult situation with the “dragon bestiary”, generously adding a couple of hundred more different dragon-like beasts to it – from ghostly and magical to metallic cyberpunk .

Well, let’s try to choose from all this many the ten most famous.

10 Givr (French dragon)

In appearance, the givra can easily be mistaken for a huge snake, since it has neither legs nor wings. But his head is typical of a dragon – very massive, with spiked horns and a characteristic “beard”.

The scales of the givra (unlike most dragons of other species) are very small, almost fish-like – up to 1 cm in length. Their color can vary from dirty beige and green to blue and blue.

The skin of the givra secretes poisonous mucus, and therefore, if he suddenly decides to climb into the well, the water there will be poisoned for a long time. In general, givre prefers to live in secluded places with stagnant water – in small ponds, swamps, etc.

These dragons are unintelligent, but at the same time very vicious and gluttonous, so they often attack livestock and people. Givirs are especially dangerous because of their suddenness – they are difficult to notice in advance, they perfectly “merge with the background”.

9. Lindworm (Draco serpentalis)

Lindworm is outwardly very similar to the givra (it is also snake-like), but there are several serious differences: the head of the lindworm is smaller and somewhat reminiscent of a bird (it has a horn formation, similar to a slightly bent down “beak”); and besides, this reptile has two small forepaws, on which, nevertheless, it can move at the speed of a running pony.

The lindworm lives in small depressions in the ground in the steppes and deserts of Central Asia. Its length reaches 9-11 meters, the color of the scales is beige, sandy, sometimes greenish or brown.

Lindworm is unintelligent, eats exclusively meat (usually suffocates its victims), but rarely attacks people.

8. Накер (Draco troglodytes)

Another “serpentoid” dragon. The main differences from givre and lindworm: the presence of two pairs of short legs (but they have powerful claws!) And very small (apparently rudimentary) wings that do not allow flying.

The body length of the naker is up to 9 meters, the color is brown-red, brown, greenish-blue. He prefers to settle in old wells, large holes, rarely in ponds. It is desirable that there are many hares, rabbits or other small animals nearby, which this dragon usually eats. But sometimes, in case of special need, it can attack livestock and people (especially children).

Another special feature of the naker is its poisonous fangs, which kill small creatures immediately on the spot, and paralyze large ones for up to 4-5 days. The presence of reason is also doubtful.

7. Asian (Chinese) moon (Draco orientalis)

Asian dragons, unlike most Western ones, are most often absolutely not aggressive, but on the contrary, they are wise and friendly (and yes, they have intelligence).

They are depicted in different ways (sometimes with a massive “camel” head, sometimes with a narrow and long muzzle and a protruding snake tongue, sometimes with large ears, etc.).

But, in any case, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other Asian dragons always have a long (up to 12 meters) snake-like body with four clawed paws, horns and a shaggy mane on their heads, as well as a very noticeable beard.

Their color is most often yellow (for royal dragons – gold), red, blue or white, rarely black (for a very few evil Asian dragons).

They do not have wings, but they are able to soar under the clouds, as they command the weather. They live in clean water (in rivers and lakes, sometimes in the sea), feed on pearls and precious stones. They can fulfill the desires of people.

6. Sea Dragon (Draco marinus)

As, in fact, it is clear from the name, sea dragons live in the sea. They can dive to quite considerable depths, but prefer to spend time on the surface, where you can find much more interesting things to do.

Many sea dragons are sentient, some can even speak and like to “communicate” with the crews of passing ships. Communication can consist of crawling out onto the deck and carefully studying everything that is on the ship, or in real conversations with sailors and demands to pay a “transit fee” on the waters of a given dragon (any valuables).

In the case of aggression on the part of the sailors (due to the banal horror of a suddenly appeared monster), the sea dragon can kill several people or smash the ship with a tail blow (or turn it over).

The length of the sea dragon can be considerable – up to 15-20 meters, the color – from pale blue to greenish blue and blue. More often they do not have limbs (sometimes there are small paws with membranes). They feed mainly on fish and marine animals.

5. Amphipterus (Draco americanus)

A classic example of an amphipter is the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl (one of the gods of the Aztec Indians). The serpentine body of this dragon is covered with long (up to 15 cm) scales, really more like feathers. In addition, he has two large, also feathered, wings (capable of lifting the amphipter high into the air), as well as very small, undeveloped paws.

Body length – up to 14 meters. The head is small, without horns and beard, but with powerful jaws. The color of the amphiptera, most often, is greenish, but sandy-yellow, “rusty”, blue and even iridescent are also found.

In addition to Central America, amphipters also live in Africa, in the Nile Valley. They nest, as a rule, in thickets of reeds along the banks of rivers and lakes, often on small islands.

They eat meat and fish. They do not attack people themselves, but they respond very harshly to aggression. According to some reports, amphipters are able to attack by breathing fire.

4. Ice Dragon (Draco occidentalis maritimus)

The ice dragon is incredibly beautiful, but also deadly. Its scales, similar to ice crystals, dazzlingly sparkle on a clear day, and merge with the surrounding shadows at dusk.

A long (more than 9 meters) body with four legs has a white (very rarely – with a blue or pink tint) color. The blood of an ice dragon is transparent and has the properties of an acid (it burns a person’s skin when it comes into contact with it).

The main danger of this “reptile” is its icy breath, which can turn any living creature into a block frozen through and through in seconds.

Ice dragons are intelligent and wise, but they are completely self-sufficient (and even selfish), do not become attached to anyone and therefore never get together, very rarely start a couple.

They arrange a lair, most often, in a glacier or on an iceberg. They swim great. They migrate from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back. They feed on large marine animals (dolphins, killer whales, walruses, seals, giant squids, etc.), sometimes polar bears.

3. Wyvern (Draco africanus)

One of the most vicious, cruel and aggressive creatures (although it has the beginnings of intelligence). In terms of body structure, it looks like a huge bird of prey – it has two powerful paws with curved claws and two wings similar to bats (the upper ends of which also have a long movable claw).

But the head of a wyvern is typically dragon (with two to four horns), the neck is long and flexible. An even longer and more flexible tail ends in an impressive sting with a sharp edge (with which the wyvern is able not only to pierce its prey, but also severely cut it, or even pierce it through).

Wyverns range in color from dirty brown and dark green to blue and black. They have very sharp eyesight, are able to fly very high and fast, while skillfully maneuvering in flight (and therefore difficult to hit with a spear or crossbow bolt).

Wyverns can be up to 15 meters long and 6 meters high. They nest mainly in the mountains: on sheer cliffs, in caves, etc. It feeds on herbivores, often destroying entire domestic herds. On occasion, he does not disdain human flesh.

2. Heraldic dragon (Draco heraldicus)

The most dangerous type of dragons, because it has the appearance and some abilities of a classic dragon (magical “chips” like hypnosis and telepathy, fiery breath, etc.), but only a rudimentary mind. That is, the heraldic dragon uses all its considerable “natural inclinations” exclusively “for evil” (mainly for its own food).

The heraldic dragon has two pairs of powerful clawed feet, huge fangs, a bone crest along its back, and a poisonous “leaf-like” spike at the tip of its tail. In addition, he also has rather large wings, but they have almost atrophied, so this dragon cannot fly.

The color of the scales (the same diameter as that of a classic dragon – up to 15 cm each) can be very different, but the most common are dark green, brown and bright red.

This dragon settles in caves, closer to human settlements – it is easier to hunt this way (a lot of cattle graze around, and on occasion you can devour a person). The heraldic dragon uses magic to lure its prey closer.

1. Classic European dragon (Draco occidentalis magnus)

And, finally, the most common dragon is the classic European. Almost all classical dragons are very smart, but still, very often, bloodthirsty, cruel and vile, because they are used to considering themselves the highest race of earthly creatures (and, in fact, not without reason!), To which everything is allowed. Many people know how (and love) to speak eloquently.

The appearance of the classic dragon, in principle, is known to all of us. Their size, on average, is 14-15 meters in length, 4-5 in height.

Huge triangular (or diamond-shaped) wings allow them to fly far and fast. They are able to burn entire villages with their fiery breath in a couple of seconds (and sometimes they do it for no particular reason, just for fun).

The classic dragon uses dragon magic both for hunting – for example, it can hypnotize or telepathically lure the victim, and, again, for fun (especially if it meets a person who is interested in something).

According to some reports, European dragons are able to take on a human form for a while (and in this form – why not? – seduce girls).

Classical dragons live, most often in large mountain caves. And, as, again, everyone knows, they love to collect shiny jewelry there.