- Gaasyendietha
- Galeru
- Gandareva
- Ganj
- Gargouille
- Gorynytch
- Gloucester's Sea Serpent
- Great Father
- Guita
- Footnotes
Origin: Legends of the Seneca Native Americans
History: Gaasyendietha is said to be a dragon that dwells in rivers and lakes locally. Although it is seldom described, it is said to be quite large. This dragon could cross into heaven on a trail of fire, and it could also spew fire.
Symbolism: Some argue that Gaasyendietha is the product of meteors; others claim that this is a meteor-fire dragon.
Physical Description: Unknown
Type/Species: Undefined
Origin: Sumerian Mythology (Mesopotamia)
History: This dragon was immense, and he was said to be the gaurdian of another dragon. Gandareva preyed upon humans for food, and he was finally defied by Keresapa. The battles between Gandareva were many, and in the beginning it seemed as if Keresapa would lose. The hero lost fifteen horses and his sight, and then Gandareva through him into the Scrublands and later abducted his family.
However, the hero did slay Gandareva and did rescue his family.
Symbolism: Unknown/Undefined
Physical Description: It is described as being a massive creature; while half of it was in the air, the other half would still be in the ocean.
Origin: Folklore of Persia
History: Ganj is a Persian dragon that is like a stereotypical Western dragon. He is a huge dragon and a gauridan of a grand horde. In this horde, there are many precious stones, one of which is embedded into his head.
Symbolism: Unknown/None
Physical Description: Unknown
Origin: France (Christian Mythology)
History: The Gargouille was a terrible sea serpent who, one day, emerged from the Seine and began to spew water about the country side. This creature also created a great tidal wave. The word Gargouille means "gargler". Whatsoever the waters did not kill, the creature devoured.
The archbishop of Rouen, known as St. Romain, decided he would fix this problem. He found that the Gargouille lived in a cave lair in the banks of the Seine, so he set out to vanqish the area of the pestilence. Much to his surprise, no one wanted to come with st. Romain. The only person who agreed was a prisoner who was condemned to die for murder. Figuring that he had nothing to lose, he readily agreed to go with the archbishop.
The two brave men went to the creature lair. And, sure enough, the Gargouille reared up with feriocity. However, the archbishop made the cross with his two fingers and the creature fell docile. With that, the priest bount the dragon's neck and lead him into town.
The townsfolk condemn the dragon to death by fire. The immense pile of ash was cast into the Seine River, but none have forgotten the damage left by the Gargouille.
Symbolism: Note the likenesses between the Gargouille and the Tarasque.
Physical Description: This monsterous sea serpent has membranous fins instead of limbs. Often depicted spewing water or with water running down around the beast.
Origin: Dragon Sightings, Massachusetts, USA
History: On August 22, 1817, a publication in Boston entitled "A Monsterous Sea Serpent: The largest ever seen in America" was published. It reported a sea serpent that appeared in the harbor to be about forty-five to fifty-five feet in length with the head of a horse. Other sightings of the creature reported up to one hundred feet long.
In Massachusetts, literally hundreds of people saw this creature. So many saw this sea monster that the government was forced to investigate. The Linnaean Society of New England created a special committee to investigate. Members included the judge John Davis, the doctor Jacob Bigelow, and the naturalist Francis Gray.
The most odd thing about this sea serpent was that it was said to move as a catipillar. For obvious reasons, it would be almost impossible for a sea serpent to move like this; sea snakes move just like land snakes.
A short while later, some people found a black snake-like creature washed up on the shore of the sea. Someone purchased it and then ordered for it to be distected. The believers of the sea serpent thought they had found their proof: a baby sea serpent! However, although originally it was reported as such, it was actually a deformed common blacksnake.
Symbolism: Unknown
Physical Description: It was said to be between forty-five and one-hundred feet in length with the head of a horse and the width of a barrel.
Origin: Russian Mythology
History: Dobrynja was warned not to swim nor bath in the river, but, after taking a long ride and being scorched by the sun, he had forgotten the warning. So, he bathed. It was then that the waters turned black, and Gorynytch appeared.
Gorynytch was a huge, three-headed dragon with seven tails. He knew that Dobrynja might kill him, but he saw that now Dobrynja was unarmed, so he attacked his foe hoping that he could rid himself of the man before it was too late.
Dobrynja searched for his armor and sword, but, since he was bathing, he did not have them with him. His horse had run off, leaving him with nothing. He did, however, manage to find his helmet. With it, he attacked the dragon so fiercely that one of the dragon's heads fell off!
Gorynytch pleaded for his life. He asked Dobrynja to spare him because he had new hatchlings that would die without them. Feeling pity for the dragon, Dobrynja allowed him to leave.
It was a mistake, as Gorynytch snatched the maiden and brought her back to his lair. The duke was utterly horrified that no one would go find his daughter. Knowing that he could have stopped the entire thing from happening, Dobrynja set out to free the maiden.
He rested for one night at his mothers house. His mother provided him with a sevenfold whip and his grandfathers horse. The horse would help to kill the hatchlings by trampling them down.
Dobrynja arrived at Gorynytch's lair and managed to kill all of the young eggs before the dragon appeared. When Gorynytch found his children dead, however, he became enraged and attack Dobrynja. The battle lasted for two days. Finally, Dobrynja used the might whip on the dragon and managed to rip off the other two heads. He remained in the dragon's blood for about three days, and he then bathed to rid himself of the possible death by venom.
Dobrynja then saved all of the dragon's captives. He found the maiden in the final cave, and he saved her.
Symbolism: The theme of the overall story is to never break a promise, but perhaps it is also something to note that the brave are rewarded.
Physical Description: Gorynytch had three heads and seven tails. He also had iron claws. He is often depicted with smoke and fire about him.
Type/Species: Wurm
Origin: Spanish Legend
History: Note: The main source of this dragon says that its strange nature is due to the eroding of the legends of Spain.
Guita's name means "Kicking Mule". Very little is known of the dragon's past. During the festival of Corpus Christi and the Patum of Berga in Catalonia, this dragon is used in the parades to ward of evils that might harm the people. The dragon was said to have fiery breathe, and so, to recreated that, the people usually place fireworks and rockets in the dragon's mouth while on parade.
Symbolism: The dragon, in this case, is strangely seen as a sign of protection.
Physical Description: Guita had a black face with huge fangs and leering eyes. Its mouth is usually portrayed as opened and red. The body is long and serpentine with a neck that is extended.
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Monsters of the Sea by Richard Ellis
- Gorynytch, the dragon and Dobrynja, the heroe
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 6 August 2008