Origin: Australia
History: The Rainbow serpent was a god(dess) and was said to have horns and the body of a serpent. This creature was said to have helped shape the land, especially the water ways.
Sadly, the Rainbow Serpent would also eat people. Luckily for the people, however, the dragon would regirguitated them in rebirth. In addition, he or she flew, even without wings.
The gender of the creature was never clear, and there are many representations of this god(dess) creature. Other representations include:
Julunggul - goddess of Aborigines. Eternally pregnant, she vomits and produces Sisters of Dreamtime. While she is noted as female, she could trasform herself into a male or back into a female whensoever she pleased. As a symbol of manhood initition, she was obviously an important goddess. Other names include: Mumuna, Kalwadi, and Kungpipi.1
Galeru - swallowed the Djanggawul in order to demonstrate the "maintenance of life". She was a giant, rainbow serpent, too. (Found basically in Arnhemland beliefs.)2
Warramunga or Wollunqua - rainbow serpent, and was known to be the creator of life. Even though he was blind, he was a symbol of the spring. As he flew from waterhole to waterhole, a rainbow could be seen.3
Great Father (Yurlungur) - similar to Warramunga. He was also a symbol of changing a boy to a man and of fertility. Many believe that the "evil maiden-eating" dragon theme was derrived from him. After all, he swallowed to girls that wandered into his cave. Thunder was said to sound when his voice spoke. It was also said that he caused the great flood. He spit into the sky and caused great rain to fall. (Wawalik sisters were said to play a role in this as well.)4
Kalseru - she was the goddess of rain and fertility. She is found amoung religions in the Northwestern Austrialians.5
Symbolism: The different forms of serpents have different symbols. See above.
Physical Description: A huge serpent with horns and no wings...obviously, this dragon was rainbow colored.
Nickname/Translation: Luminous Being
Type/Species: Eastern Dragon
Origin: Japan
History: It is said that this dragon lives in Ryugu, a mystical palace beneath the sea. Revered as god of the sea, this dragon was known as "the Dragon King". His messangers were the turtles. He also holds the Tidal Jewels, with which he controls the tidal influence of the world.6
Many believe that Otohime, Ryo-Wo's daughter, marries prince Hoori, a human. Other tales include the story about the jelly fish.7
Ryo-Wo sent a jelly fish to find him a monkey. He simply wanted a monkey's liver for a meal. The jelly fish caught a monkey and began to bring him back to the Dragon King. Sadly, the jelly fish befriended the monkey and told him why he was going to see the dragon king.8
The monkey was not happy to hear this. However, he explained to the jelly fish that he had left his liver in a jar on the land. The jelly fish believed him. The monkey said that he would fetch his liver and come right back. Sadly, the monkey never returned, and the jelly fish was forced to return to the Dragon King empty handed. When hearing the story, the Dragon King pounded the poor jelly fish into the shape it is today.9
Symbolism: Revered, the Dragon King is a symbol of the sea and power.
Physical Description: Unknown. Definately of Eastern-Style, but the specifics of him are still unclear.
- 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
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Myths and Legends of Japan by F. Hadland Davis
- Myths and Legends of Japan by F. Hadland Davis
- Myths and Legends of Japan by F. Hadland Davis
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 8 August 2008