Origin: Hindu Mythology
History: Takshaka's story can be found in the Mahabharata, which tells of a Raja named Parikshit who insults a humble monk. The father of this monk emplored Takshaka to right the wrong done unto his son.
Parikshit confidently retreated to a fortress in the middle of a lake, which he believed would keep him out of the Naga's grasps. However, a small group of monks traveled to the fortress with presents to give to its Lord. These gifts were many fruits, which Raja Parikshit gladly accepted. Upon opening the last fruit, a small, red-eyed insect appeared which transformed into Takshaka and crushed the Raja in his coils.
Symbolism: Takshaka can be seen as a symbol of righteousness. He corrected the wrongs of a powerful Lord, which shows that there was a belief that even the powerful were not above the law.
Physical Description: Takshaka is described as being a Naga King, but little description is given beyond that.
Origin: Spanish Legend
History: Leviatano and Onagro were said to be Tarasac's parents. The former was a creature of the water, and the latter was a creature who burnt all it could.2
There have been many connections between this dragon and the Tarasque, from which the legend of the Tarasca is said to be derrived.3 Much like the Tarasque, this creature ate people, especially children, near Rodano.4
The people asked Santa Marta to overcome the dragon, for she was from the sea. With the help of three Marys, she went off to defeat the beast. With the help of some holy water, Marta conquered the creature by holding up the cross. Then she tied her belt around its tail.5
The creature was stoned at a local village.6
Since 1474, parades have been held in order to remind the people of the town to vanquish their inner dragons. This normally is a massive event taking place in the last week of June.7
Symbolism: Like many dragons in areas that were heavily Christian, the Tarasca served to be a symbol of the power of the Christian Saints and Christian God.
Physical Description: Tarasca is said to be larger than an ox and longer than a horse.8
Origin: France (Christian Mythology) History: The Tarasque was a less than kind dragon. The creature lived in a lake in the south of France and, on occasion, emerged from the lake and devoured a virgin. The local villagers were utterly terrified by this dragon, and they prayed for help.
No one was brave enough to fight or even talk to the beast, so they sent emissaries to the King of France for help. However, their adventures turned out fruitless, as the King and his knights had better things to do. The village was too small and too far from the capital, and, furthermore, no one of noblility lived there. Besides, there was no treasure their, either.
The villagers began to speak about abandoning their village, as they saw no other way of riding themselves of the monster. It was in this time of desperation that St. Martha happened to be passing by. She was beautiful and many people praised her for her good deeds.
The people took her appearance as a sign from the Heavens and they begged her to help them. In return for her challenging the beast, she only asked them to pray to God for three days, and to ask God to help vanquish the beast. They agreed.
It is also good to note that the Tarasque was a music lover, even though he was fercious. So, St. Martha went to the shores of the place where the Tarasque lived, and she began to sing praises to God.
The Tarasque was enchanted by her voice and her songs. The dragon emerged from the lake and lay down at her feet, completely docile. She then put a belt around his neck and lead him into town. There, the dragon was easily killed and offered little resistance.
The region where the Tarasque lived was then called Tarascon, in memory of the feat.
Symbolism: Tarasque is a common, stereotypical dragon. Perhaps he is a symbol of converting to the Christain faith.
Physical Description: While Tarasque is a sea serpent, it is suggested that this creature also had four limbs: two fore legs and two hind legs. This is because he emereged from the lake and had to walk to the village. Sometimes this dragon is also depicted as having wings, but they would be rather useless to a lake-living dragon.
Type/Species: Eastern Dragon
Origin: Japan
History: Hoderi and Hoori were brothers, Hoderi being the eldest. One day, they exchanged presents. Hoderi was a good hunter, and Hoori was a good fisherman, so it was obvious what they would get for each other. When Hoderi asked for his fish hook back one day, Hoori had lost it. Hoderi was furious, so much so that Hoori ran to the sea to grieve.
Shiko-tsutsu no Oji was at this sea. He made a basket for Hoori, and placed him in it out on the sea. There, Hoori sank into the sea. From this, he made his way into the Palace of the Sea King. The Sea King's daughter was the first to spot Hoori, and she told her father everything. The Sea King was very glad to see Hoori. After a long search, the Sea King found the hook in the mouth of the Red-woman (fish/tai).
Hoori then married Toyo-tama and lived with her under the sea for three years. Later, however, he longed for home. The Sea King gave him a hook to give to his brother, and he also gave him two jewels. One jewel, if dipped into the sea, would cause chaos, and the other would cause order. He told him to dip the jewel of chaos (Tide-flowing Jewel) if his brother turned on him. If other wise, he was to dip the Tide-ebbing jewel in.
Before Hoori left, Toyo-tama told him to build a house by the sea. She informed him, too, that she would come to him later, when the winds stormed.
Hoderi saw his brother and begged his forgiveness. Hoori was only to glad to grant it, and he waited for his wife. Toyo-tama (along with her younger sister) came to the beach. After bearing Hoori a son, she turned into a dragon and went back to the sea.
Hoori's son married his aunt (Toyo-tama's sister) and produced Kamu-Yamato-Iware-Biko, or Jimmu Tenno. He was said to be the first human emperor of Japan, and therefore a descendant of the dragons.
Symbolism: Toyo-tama was the truest form of a lover, perhaps.
Physical Description: Unknown
Origin: Whanganui
History: Tutaeporoporo was a water-serpent that inhabited the river of Whanganui. The creature was favored by the chief Tuariki, but, for some reason, turned deadly. The creature began eating people by the boat loads.11
It was then that Aokehu appeared to save all those who lived near Whanganui. He managed to float down the river in a hollow log toward the dragon's lair. The creature came to swallow him.12
However, Aokehu had a different plan. He killed the creature from withing utilizing sharks' teeth. The creature drifted ashore and Aokehu was freed. Today, Tutaeporoporo is depicted on Wanganui City's coat of arms.
Symbolism: Tutaeporoporo is perhaps a symbol of gluttony.
Physical Description: Following the common description of a Taniwha, Tutaeporoporo was a huge lizard that dwelled within a river.
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Big Areas: Provenza
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Big Areas: Provenza
- Big Areas: Provenza
- Big Areas: Provenza
- Big Areas: Provenza
- <http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4352/dragon/dragon_myth_tarasque.html> - The Tarasque - link defunct
- Myths and Legends of Japan by F. Hadland Davis
- Felt from the Heart
- <http://sommerland.org/races2.htm> - Dragon Races - Link Defunct
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 8 August 2008