Origin: Greek/Roman Mythology
History: Cetus was created by the gods, responding only to Poseidon, god of the water. He had the head of a greyhound, body of a dolphin, and a forked tail.
Cassiopea thought that she and Andromdea were the most beautiful creatures of the world. She believed that their beauty even surpassed that of Nereids.
When Nereids hear this, she became greivously angried. She went straight to Poseidon to ask him to fix the matter by punishing the two people.
Due to Cassiopea's error, Poseidon order her daughter, Andromeda, to be chained to a rock near the sea so that Cetus could consume her. Perseus, however, saw her and fell in love with her.
This same Perseus was the one who slew the gorgon Medusa, and he still had with him her head. Thus, he turned poor Cetus into a pile of stone, killing him.
Symbolism: Cetus is a sort of ward against gluttony. While it really wasn't Cetus' fault for doing what Posiedon told him to, Cetus did not think a human could kill him.
Physical Description: He had the head of a greyhound, body of a dolphin, and a forked tail. He is often depicted with peices of him sticking up from the water rather than his entire body be showing.
Origin: Mayan Mythology
History: Chac was mainly involved with the rain-making, but he ruled over all bodies of water. He required royal sacrifices from Earth, but, in turn, he would shed his own blood so that there would be rain.
Due to his connection with the rain, Chac was one of the most popular Mayan gods. This was because the Mayan's weather made it such that they needed to get all the rain required to grow crops during the rainy seasons in order to grow their crops. Everyone of the Mayans worshiped him, and there were over two hundred mosaics of Chac's face in the Palace alone.
Symbolism: Chac was known as the rain bringer. He shows us not only the need for rain and weather that the Mayans held, but also their response to the production of crops. (And what they offered for the insurance of rain - sacrifices.)
Physical Description: Chac was said to have a long noise, fish scales, catfish-like wiskers, deer ears, and a crocodilian head. Many times he has an axe, his lightning axe, in his hand which he would use to produce lightnings.
Type/Species: Dragon-Beast
Origin: Greek Mythology
History: Chimera, or "young she-goat" as the name means, was a mix of a lion, goat, and a snake. Her head was that of the lion, tail is that of the snake, and body is that of a goat3. Sometimes this creature is depicted with dragon wings, and other times it has three heads (one of a lion, another of a goat, another of a serpent) as in Hesoid's Theogony4.
The hydra was one of Chimera's siblings, along with Cerberus and the Nemean Lion. Her parents were Echidne and Typhon. She was the "pet" of the king Caria. A less than pleasant creature, the Chimera then tourmented the town of Lycia. Her breath was fiery, and almost none could defeat her. Thus, King Proetos pleaded with Bellerophon to slay the beast5.
Bellerophon, working with his fantastical winged horse, Pegasus, agree to carry out this duty. In one version, he flies over the creature and shots arrows at it6. In another verion, he uses a block of lead and thrusts it into his throat using a spear. This brings about the end of the beast via suffication, as the lead is melted by his fiery breath7.
Symbolism: Unknown
Physical Description: This creature has the head of the lion, and sometimes has the full frontal body of a lion. In addition, it has a head of a goat and the tail of a dragon or snake8. It is sometimes depicted with dragon wings and other times is depicted with three heads9.
Origin: Russian Folklore
History: Chudo-Yudo was a Russian hydra that could spew flame from his many mouths. His other power included the ability to control the weather. In times of need, he was sought out for help and good weather.
Some sources say that this dragon was a decendant of Baba Yaga, but others say that this dragon is Baba Yaga in a different form. Another family connection includes Kashchei, yet another dragon connected to Baba Yaga.
Symbolism: Unknown
Physical Description: Chudo-Yudo was said to be a large dragon with many heads.
Related Articles: Dragons of Fame: Kashchei
Origin: Aztec Mythology
History: Sometimes, Coatlcue was represented as a woman. More often, however, she wore a skirt of snakes, and she had two dragon heads. She was the goddess of duality of nature. She sometimes is also depicted with a heart necklace and claws.
Coatlcue also represented maternal fertiliy. She was the mother of Huitzilopochtli. When she became pregnant with Huitzilopochtli, her chidlren (centzon huitznahua) were outraged, and they prepared to make war upon their mother. They were led by Coyolxauhqui.
Needless, to say, Coatlicue was afraid, but a voice from her womb told her not worry. She gave birth to Huitzilopochtli, a fully grown and dressed warrior.. Using his xiucoatl (serpent of lightning), he fought off his siblings and killed Coyolxauhqui.
Symbolism: Coatlcue is a symbol of nature for the Aztecs. The fact that she was feared by them shows how they perceived nature.
Physical Description: She was primarily a human woman. However, she somtimes had a skirt made of snakes along with two dragon heads. Also, she can be depicted with a heart necklace and/or claws.
- A Diversity of Dragons by Anne McCaffrey
- Mythical Birds and Beasts from Many Lands by Margaret Mayo and Jane Ray
- The Book of Dragons & Other Mythical Beasts by Joseph Nigg
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- The Book of Dragons & Other Mythical Beasts by Joseph Nigg
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Chimaera: The Origins of the Myth
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Macmillion Profiles: Myths and Legends
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 6 August 2008