A-Z: Classic Monsters - D is for Dragons

The A-Z post today on Classic Monsters is for the letter "D."  I didn't choose a particular monster character but an entire monster species itself: Dragons.  I'm sure there are other D monsters you came up with, but Dragons are to me incredibly fascinating.  Don't you agree?

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The original myth of Dragons

Nearly every culture you can imagine has some sort of myth about the gargantuan-sized reptilian beasts that fly and breathe fire.  The Chinese, for example, have artifacts depicting their famous Chinese dragons as early as the 16th century B.C. Dragons have also been immortalized in Greek Mythology dating back to the times of Ancient Greece.  Their impressive history is massive and has bewitched us for what it feels like an eternity.  Read more about their history and where I found my facts here.

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Do they exist?

Kimono Dragons do.  And boy are they bad ass!  As for the ones that scour Earth's skies, terrorizing humans by pillaging towns with flame or better yet, the ones that guard precious treasures in dark caves lodges on the side of mountain tops...do those dragons exist?  Uh...in my head they do, but in reality?  No.  And I'm not sure if we as humans could handle all that awesomeness.

Classics Featuring Dragons

Beowulf, a poem written by an anonymous poet some time around the 10th century according to the British Library.  It features three battles with our hero, Beowulf who in the end fights a dragon in an epic battle.  This may have been one of the first times we are introduced the idea of the dragon-slayer.

Have you read Beowulf?  I haven't and I admit, I'm feeling a little ashamed with myself.  But I did download the classic on Amazon for Free for your Kindle so I'll get to it at some point.  What about the animated film version of Beowulf remake done in 2007?

Dungeons and Dragons

This role playing game designed by designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson has been around since the 1970's and has since spawned a cult following phenomena that I would say has deemed it a classic.  (Read here about Gary getting his own statue in Lake Geneva.)   Fans are obsessed, some for the old school board method and other now onto the online version.  One of the many cool aspects of this game are, of course, the dragons.  From the original game their are five dragons i.e. white, black, green, blue, and red and they reign today a most fearsome classic monster.      

The dragons in the Game of Thrones

George R. R. Martin's A Dance with Dragons is Book 5 of the Song of Ice and Fire series.  What I love most about this series is like Tolkien, Martin writes like his stories are from ancient times, making you almost believe it's the way things were in a time long forgotten.  The dragons, for example, even in the story are represented as such.  Many characters believe they have died with the members of the House Targaryen,  Dragons on myths until Daenerys Targaryen (Khaleesi) births her dragon babes in a blazing fire.  Oooh....I love this series and as you can see above with my gif, I love those dragons.

Have you read the series?  Do you want a pet dragon?  Have you watched the HBO series, Game of Thrones?  Season Four starts APRIL 6, 2014.  See the trailers here.

Obviously, I could go on and on with other great classics like the recent "How to Train a Dragon," and many others.  Dragons are a classic monster don't you think?  Do you have a favorite classic film or book that features the terrifying beasts?

Mina B.