- Abrasax / Anbraxas
- Agunua
- Ahi / Vritra / Vrtra
- Ahriman / Angra Mainyu
- Aido Hwedo / Dan Ayido Hwedo
- Akhekhu
- Alklha / Alicha / Arakho
- Ammut / Amermait / Amam / Ammit / Am-Mit
- Amhuluk
- Ananta / Ananta Sesha / Ananta Shesha
- Ancient Serpent
- Angont
- Anzu / Zu
- Apala
- Apalala
- Apep
- Apocalyptic Beast
- Apsu
- Aranda
- Asdeev
- Azi Dahaka / Azidahaka / Azhi Dahaka
- Footnotes
Origin: Persia
Type/Species: Hydra
Origin: Persian Mythology
History: This creature resides in Persian Mythology, where he is described as being a croass between a two-legged dragon and a serpent. In addition, he had the head of a cockerel. His weapon was a whip. Abrasax was often refered to as some sort of demon, as he was known for having a poor temper.
Abrasax means "supreme being", and the sum of the letters (Greek) of the name equals 365. So, even though regarded as some to be a demon, Abrasax was the Lord of the 365 Virtues. Obviously, one of these virtues is prominant for each day of the year.
He is further remembered by having his name engraved on gems. These are commonly called Abraxas Stones and are usually used for talismans.
Symbolism: Abrasax holds the symbol of virtue and of power. Being known to have a bad temper, he almost has a bit of duality to him.
Physical Description: He was a cross of a serpent and a two-legged dragon, and he had the head of a cockerel.
Origin: Solomon Islands, Melanesia
History: For those who lived on the Solomon Islands, this was the primary creator of the world. He created fruit, vegetables, and the first male child. Seeing that the male child was unable to care for itself, he also created the first woman, who could care for man. He was shown as a winged serpent. It is said that the first cocunt from each cocunut tree was sacred to him.
Symbolism: He was seen as the Creator god.
Physical Description: He was said to be a winged serpent.
Type/Species: Naga
Origin: Vedic Mythology, India
History: Ahi was a huge, greedy dragon. He drank all the waters of the world and then coiled on top of the mountains. There, the Naga held all the water, unwilling to return it to the earth, which badly needed it.
The god Indra then attack Ahi with lightning bolts. After Indra slew Ahi, the waters returned to the world.
Symbolism: Many have found the Ahi to be a symbol for drought. When the sring comes and melts the mountain's snow, the water comes down much as it does in this myth.
Physical Description: Ahi was a huge Naga, so he had the body of a serpent but the head of a human.
Type/Species: Serpent
Origin: Persian Mythology/Zoroastrian Belief
History: In the religion known as Zoroastrianism, Ahriman is the equivalent of the devil. He found against Spenta Mainya (the Holy Spirit) and Ahura Mazdah, the supreme "Father" god. Furthermore, Ahriman tried to hurt man.
Ahriman introduced the frost in the winder, heat in the summer, and diseases throughout the year. He also created Azhi Dahaka, a dragon who could bring ruin to the Earth. Azhi Dahaka created the planets against the stars as he sprung up to heaven.
Ahriman is considered to be the embodiment of evil (darkness, ect). When he invaded Heaven, it was in the form of a dragon. However, Mithra battled and won against Ahriman. It is also said that Ahriman had dragon minions.
Symbolism: As the embodiment of all evil and material desires (jealousy, greed, and so on), Ahriman is a poor symbol for dragons.
Physical Description: Unknown
Type/Species: Ouroboros, Serpent
Origin: Folkore of the Dahomey in West Africa
History: This creature helped to create the universe by transporting Mawu, a god, through the cosmos. Aido Hwedo also created the mountains of the earth as well, which were said to be its excrement. However, the Earth became far too heavy, so the god Mawu ordered the Rainbow Serpent to coil underneath the world to hold it up. In order to help Aido Hwedo, the oceans were created to comfort the dragon while it held up the world. However, the oceans would sometimes not help, and therefore this dragon would tremble and thus make the Earth quake.6
In order to remain strong, it is said that Aido Hwedo needed a great amount of iron, and there would sometimes not be enough. When this happens, it is said that Aido Hwedo would eat its own tail. Thus the problem comes: the iron, supplied by the ocean for Aido Hwedo, would someday give out. When it does, this mighty dragon would eat its own tail, and the world, unable to support itself, would slip into the oceans.7
Symbolism: In a sense, Aido Hwedo is seen as both a creator and a supporter of the world. The end of the world, as predicted in this folkore, is said also to be the weakness of this giant serpent - the shear mass of Aido Hwedo can not be maintained. Therefore, Aido Hwedo can be seen as a symbol of eternity and rebirth, much as any Ouroboros.
Physical Description: Aido Hwedo was said to be a vast rainbow serpent, so vast that it could hold up the entire world.
Origin: Egypt
History: Very little has been recorded on this creature, but it is said to be a drake-like, semisupernatural being in the folklore of Egypt. European travelors carried it over into European folkore as well.
Symbolism: Unknown
Physical Description: This creature is said to have four legs and be very serpent-like in appearance.
Type/Species: Western
Origin: Buriat myth, Russia
History: Alklha is a dragon who lived in the heavens, and he sometimes tried to swallow the sun or the moon. Sadly for Alklha, the moon and the sun were far too hot for the dragon, so he would have to regurgitate them. If there was ever a "bite" in the sun or the moon, the Buriat people would blame Alklha (and thereby take measures to prevent the consumption of the moon or sun entirely). The people also blamed the markings on the moon, which they claimed were made by Alklha's fangs when he attempted to swallow it.
The gods saw that Alklha was causing problems, so they cut him in half, throwing the bottom half of him onto the Earth. This allowed Alklha to swallow the moon or sun, but it would fall out of him now that he was no longer whole.
Symbolism: Much like Apep, Alklha was seen as the cause of the problems with the sun and moon. This could be a symbol of change, moreover the rising and setting of the sun.
Physical Description: Alklha is described as having black wings which, outspread, covered the sky, thereby disallowing any light to earth.
Type/Species: Dragon Beast
Origin: Egypt
History: Though Ammut was not nessassarily completely dragon-ish in her appearance, she did have the head of a crocodile. She was much feared by the Egyptians, as she would end their cycle of life if they were sinners.
You see, Ammut's job was to wait while the peron's sins were weighed. The Egyptians believed that their heart would be weighed against a feather, and if the person's heart was heavier than that, it was obvious that the person was a sinner. Ammut would then devour their souls. She is also noted as 'Great of Death'.
Symbolism: She was a shining symbol of warning: do well, or she will take your soul. Though some believe that she was a symbol of evil, she simply ate those who were evil.
Physical Description: She has the head of a crocodile and the body of a beast.
Origin: Oregon Native American Mythology, North America
History: Amhuluk is said to leave near Forkend Mountain in Oregon, where the Native Americans saw this creature with great fear. One story accounts how Amhuluk impaled two of three children on its horns and took them into the enchanted waters that it was named after. The father visited these children, and for five days they appeared by the water. However, afterward, they disappeared and remained with Amhuluk. Many believe that this dragon's passion is to catch and drown all things; which is perhaps true.
This serpent is said to go through transformations as well, each time becoming more and more formidable.
Symbolism: Some claim Amhuluk to be a bit of a bogey - sometime to scare off children from the water. However, others see this creature as a symbol of a thief.
Physical Description: This is a giant sea serpent creature with grand horns.
Type/Species: Hydra
Origin: Hindu Mythology, India
History: Ananta is the thousand-headed serpent of Hindu Mythology. It created amrita, the elixir of immortality. Amrita was created by the churning of the Ocean. Vishnu, the god of life, sleeps on this creature's back as it floats through a "sea of milk". Ananta only sleeps, however, during the between the periods of creation... that is to say, when the Lord of Creation sleeps, during the night of Brahma, Brahma is reborn. In addition, Ananta spews fire to destroy of creation as a part of the cylce of creation.
Symbolism: Ananta has a sort of dual nature: it allows the god of life to sleep on its back, but it also destroys creation.
Physical Description: It is a thousand-headed serpent.
Origin: Piute Native American Folklore, North America
History: The Ancient Serpent lived in the Lake Pyramid that reportedly like to snatch victims. When the Piutes saw whirlpools in Lake Pyramid, they would not go near the lake, for they were afraid that the Ancient One was looking for another victim to snatch.
Symbolism: While the Ancient One is feared, it was also given the honorary name by the Piute Native Americans. Further symbolism is still unknown.
Physical Description: Unknown
Origin: Huron Native American Folklore, North America
History: Angont is a vicious, poisonous reptile who supposedly dwelled in desolate places such as caves, forests, lakes, and other depths in the world. If close enough to humans, the Angont could reach out its coils and thereby bring about a number of problems to local inhabitants, such as disasters and diseases.
Due to Angont's abilities, medicine mean sought this reptile out, hoping to gain cures via magical medicine. But its skin was so poisonous that nothing good came about from these searches.
Symbolism: Unknown
Physical Description: This creature was said to be much like a drake - a huge reptile with venom and four legs.
Origin: Sumerian Mythology
History: Zu was a clever and sneaky dragon that stole the Tablets of Law, the Tupsimati, from the god Enlil, who was once the river god but now also the god of dry land. Enlil wore this tablets on him, and they held the universal laws upon them. Zu took them up to the top of the Sabu Mountains where she kept them in her nest.
Enlil sent Ninurta after Zu to retrieve the tablets. Ninurta was the sun god and did as Enlil asked. With that, Ninurta killed Zu and returned to Enlil the Tablets of Law.
Symbolism: Zu is a symbol against theivery and shows how the Sumerians believed the gods dealt with such things - just like man.
Physical Description: Zu has more than one description. The first is that she had a lion's body with the head of an eagle. The second is the torso of a man with the body of an eagle. This is a Mesopotamian stormbird or dragon.
Origin: Buddhist Mythology
History: Apala's power kept the other evil dragons in check so that the towns around him could prosper. In exchange for their flourishing crops, each family gave Apalala a sacrific to please him.
Over time, however, Apala was forgotten and he was angered by this. He wished to become a poisonous dragon so that he may revenge. He became the dragon of that country. To this day it is said that all the local princesses in Hindu Kush can control and influence the elements and weather, so long as the local dragon supplies.
It is said the the renownd sorceror Gangi is this dragons incarnation.
Symbolism: This story is probably told to warn people not to forget the dieties who help them.
Physical Description: Like other Naga, Apala was a serpet with two legs and the head of a human.
Origin: Buddhist Mythology
History: Apalala was the guardian spirit of the sources of the river Subhavastu. Apalala converted to Buddhism and became and arhat with the help of Gautama Buddha. Other variations suggest that this dragon lived in the Swat River.
Symbolism: The story of Apalala is told to Buddhist children so that they may learn that their happies relies on their faith.
Physical Description: Like other Naga, Apalala was a serpet with two legs and the head of a human. He did not have wings.
Origin: Egypt
History: At first, Apep was the Egyptian Sun god. However, he was replaced by Ra, and he became very irked about it. Apep became a symbol of evil, and he was depicted often as a serpent-dragon. You see, Ra would travel through the Underworld, Amenta, every night in his Boat of the Sun. Each night, Apep would try to end Ra's journey, but each night he failed. On occasions, what we call eclipses, Apep would succeed on his mission, but later he would reguirgitate.
This is why Apep was considered a symbol of Chaos. He also controled things such as Thunderstorms and such, which is another reason Egyptians never worshiped him. They mutilated wax, and even spit upon it, in hopes that Ra would always prevail over this Apep.
Though this creature is depicted as having no limbs, I have heard excerpts of books that say that this creature did have them. However, Ra seems to have "cut them off" or such things.
Symbolism: Apep was a symbol of Chaos and of an eclipse.
Physical Description: Most depict him as a large, whale-shaped serpent rather than a skinny eel-shaped serpent. He is a sea serpent, without wings, and a huge, enormous body.
Origin: Irish Folklore (Christian)
History: This creature is said to live in Loch-Bel-Dracon, which means "Lake of the Dragon's Mouth". The Apocalyptic Beast has been connected with the Second Coming of Jesus, which is said to bring about the end of the world. However, the Apocalyptic Beast is just a signal for the end of the world, and it is said to be the avenger of John the Baptist. Therefore, on Saint John's Day, this creature shall rise and thus signal the end of the world.
This creature's mouth was depicted in many different bestiaries and religious missals. The mouth was supposidly the openning and/or entrance to Hell.
Symbolism: This Apocalyptic Beast was said to be a symbol of the end of the world, and it is both an avenger and a symbol of evil.
Physical Description: This dragon is said to be part salmon and part serpent with the ability to breath dragon fire.
Origin: Babylonian Mythology
History: In the beginning, their was only Apsu and Tiamat. Apsu was the sweet waters, and Tiamat was the salt waters, and they were one body, one soul. Together they created the gods; first Lahmu, then Anshar and Kishar. Their son was Anu.20
Anu brought forth Ea. The gods grew and grew and more and more appeared. After time, they began to fill the sweet and salt waters, and their loud behavoir began to irk Tiamat and Apsu alike.21
Apsu began a plot to rid themselves of the gods so that they [Tiamat and Apsu] could have some peace once again. Tiamat could not talk to the Brother Gods, and Apsu could not control them. Tiamat, however, looked upon the gods as their creations, and she told Apsu that she did not wish to harm them. She asked him to act kindly.22
Apsu, however, chose not to listen to Tiamat and continued to plot against the gods. The gods overhear him, however, and Ea made a spell and placed it in the deep waters of Apsu. When he was in these waters, Apsu fell asleep and Ea slew him, and he then took Apsu's waters for his own.23
Ea and his wife, Damkina, then brought forth the mightiest of the gods: Marduk. Marduk had four eyes and four ears, and he saw everything and heard everything.24
The god Anu then made the four winds. These winds began to disturb Tiamat's waters. The other gods blamed Tiamat for not protecting Apsu and for not remaining by his side. They blamed her for Anu's four winds, and they asked her to take care of the problem.25
It was then that Tiamat created monsters. She called forth poisonus dragons so terrible that if one should look upon them it might bring death itself. She also gave them halos in order to make them look like gods. She also created Sphinxes, Manticores, Vipers, the great Lion, Centaurs, Demons, and the Dragon-Fly. Among all of these was the supreme moster, a battalion called Kingu who was created to avenge Apsu's death.26
Anu, knowing he was no match, retreated and asked Marduk for help. Marduk agree to help only if he could become the King of the gods. The gods agreed to this, and he faced Tiamat.27
Marduk slew Tiamat and sliced her body in half. One half of her he made the heavens, and the other half became the earth. After this, Marduk created man so that man could serve the gods.28
Symbolism: Apsu and Tiamat were both destroyed by their own creations. Apsu grew too greedy and did not wish to step aside, and Tiamat was killed in attempt to revenge her husband's death. The moral? Perhaps there is a time for everyone when they simply must step aside.29
Physical Description: Both Apsu and Tiamat were considered "The Ocean". They were sea serpents. Tiamat is described as having a huge, serptine body that weapons could not harm. In addition, she had two forelegs, a huge tail, and horns.30
Origin: Folklore of Native Australia (Emianga region)
History: Aranda was said to inhabit rivers where the current was deep, thereby preventing the creature from disturbing the surface. When humans would come into these rivers alone, usually to fish, Aranda would grab them and swallow them whole for a snack.
Symbolism: Aranda seems to be a bogey, or a creature used to scare people from doing something. In this case, this serpent is suppose to scare fishermen from fishing alone.
Physical Description: Mostly, Aranda is described as an enormous serpent that dwells within the water.
Origin: Persian Mythology
History: Asdeev was the white dragon of Persian Mythology. He was slain by Rustam (also known as Rootsam or Rustem). Rustam slew the dragon as one of his tasks which ultimately lead to his final victories.
Symbolism: While Asdeev does not have any clear symbolism, this dragon does have a unique trait. Unlike the other dragons of Europe and other areas, Asdeev was white.
Physical Description: Asdeev was much like a western dragon, and he was white as well.
Origin: Persian Mythology/Zoroastrian Belief
History: Azi Dahaka has been known as both a dragon and a snake, but he is always seen as a three-headed creature with at least two of these heads being snake-like in nature.33 The Avesta, the holy book of the Zoroastrian religion, refers to this creature as "the strongest Drug that Angra Mainyu [aka Ahriman] created against the material world".34
The creature was said to be born of the female demon Autak and also related to Ahriman, the great evil. He was first noted as a creature who preyed upon cattle, but then he began to dine upon human beings. He destroyed the first human, Yima; thus, Thraetaona planned to punish him.35
Thraetaona (also refered to as Atar) said, "Grant me this, O good, most beneficent Ardvi Sura Anahita! that I may overcome Azi Dahaka, the three-mouthed, the three-headed, the six-eyed, who has a thousand senses, that most powerful, fiendish Druj, that demon, baleful to the world, the strongest Druj that Angra Mainyu created against the material world, to destroy the world of the good principle; and that I may deliver his two wives, Savanghavach and Erenavach, who are the fairest of body amongst women, and the most wonderful creatures in the world."36
Thraetaona succeeded in his quest and temporarily defeated him, chaining him to Mount Demavand, rendering him powerless. At the end of time, however, the dragon is predicted to break free and wreak havoc, destroy one-third of the human population, but he will, in the end, be defeated by Keresaspa.37
Symbolism: Azi Dahaka is a symbol of evil and vengence as well as jealousy.
Physical Description: There are two very different descriptions of this dragon. One is a that Azi Dahaka is a winged snake with three heads and huge wings that blot out the Heavens. The other is that of a human with two serpents coming out of his neck.38 In addition, lizards and scorpions are said to crawl all over his body, both while moving and stationary.39
- Myths, Gods, and Fantasy by Pamala Allardice
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Angra Mainyu
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Ancient Egyptian Lives
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- The Serene Dragon: Nagas
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- A Diversity of Dragons by Anne McCaffrey and Richard Woods
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Dragon Legends
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Tables of Ancient Middle Eastern Deities
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Avesta: Khorda Avesta: Hymn to the Waters: IX
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Tables of Ancient Middle Eastern Deities
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer |
Contact | Home
© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 28 July 2008