Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Stories Behind Dragon Figurines

By Chloe Gib


Dragons have long played an important part in human history and traditions. These mythical creatures can be found in nearly every culture in one form or another. For the truly devoted individuals there are collectible dragon figurines.

J. R. R. Tolkien made the incredible world of Middle Earth which held the beasts known as Scatha, Glaurung, and Smaug. Pern is another world that was brought to life by the writings of Anne McCaffrey. These are just a few sources of inspiration that have been made into fairy figurines and beautiful spun glass figurines.

There are a number of different roles that these creatures have taken on, from evil and cruel to lovable. Movies have captured the imagination of children around the world, with characters like Mushu and Elliot. Pete's Dragon is considered a classic that still draws attention, and Mulan offers incredible comedy for children to enjoy.

Humans have a need to explain that which there is no explanation, enter the dragon. Sailors long claimed the existence of seas serpents that were held responsible for the loss of entire ships when lost in open water. Yu, a golden Chinese serpent, was said to have control of rain and at one time saved people from a flood. The evil Zu was feared by the people of Mesopotamia, Sumer, and Babylon as the entity trying to destroy mankind by throwing it into chaos by stealing law. These are just two of a long list of these mythical beasts that have been created for humans.

400 BCE is the first known appearance of these creatures, the oral histories made have established earlier. These animals reside anywhere on or off the world, from within the Earth to deep in the ocean. Typically the area for life is dark and shadowy or within a fire.

These creatures are given a number of different characteristics throughout the many tales passed among humans, making a personality or behavior available to match anyone's imagination. As has always been the case with good fiction there is a battle of good and evil between humans and beasts. To add to the interest this same fierce battle is fought among the mythical entities as well.

Dragon figurines are a symbol of the imagination found in all of us. The stories which involve these animals are rich in all of the page turning elements that spark people's interest. The tales begin in childhood and carry on through adult life.




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