The dragon is, without doubt, the king of  fantastic animals. The legend on these creatures with aspect of reptile, able to fly and to breathe fire, is extended practically everywhere. Its presence, is associate to mythology,  art and to the most varied beliefs.

This mighty beast has not always been branded with the name dragon; the word dragon as we know it first appeared in Hellenic times (800 BC- 338 BC), from the Greek draconta or drakon, a name ascribed to any large mythological snake or serpent. Prior to this, dragons were simply known by their local names.

Although the dragon is a mythical creature, it was originally transcended from the snake. The dragon's oldest relative, the rainbow serpent, appeared in Australian Aboriginal culture (65 000 BC- 35 000 BC)

It is no wonder the dragon has captured our interest for so long, appearing across heraldry, mythology, alchemy and religion. It is unsurprising that historical figures wrote of them frequently; the noted explorer Marco Polo wrote in his journals of the dragons he encountered among his travels, and naturalist Edward Topsell included them in his bestiaries. Alexander the Great and his army were terrorised by a dragon, while a salamander, poisoned a river which subsequently killed 4 000 of Alexander's soldiers.

In Eastern tradition, the dragon is perhaps even more famous. Rather than stem from the snake or serpent, the dragon is made up of many different animal parts, and was seen as an Imperial beast guarding the heavens. These dragons gained popularity during the Han dynasty of China, and tales of these creatures were passed down orally and visually for years. Dragons were incorporated into the Chinese zodiac, and like the Western dragon, they were depicted on tombs.

Oriental dragons were important to everyday life, and were associated with human fertility and the water they delivered to crops. Once an Eastern dragon reached a certain age, they went through physical and mental changes, such as the growth of horns or wings, which were accompanied with new wisdom. The hai riyo or "dragon bird" was the highest state of being for a Chinese dragon, and to become one took thousands of years.

The dragon is not only varied in its temperament and personality, but takes on many different forms to match. Whereas the western dragon is usually represented as a gigantic, six-limbed, breathing fire creature, the Eastern dragon is slender and snake-like in appearance. With coloured manes, horns, beautiful iridescent scales and sometimes sporting expansive feathered wings, the Eastern dragon is an awe-inspiring creature to behold.

There is a wide range of different dragon appearances; these may include more snake-like variants such as the limbless worm dragons, to reptilian dragons like the four-limbed wyvern. "Monster" or chimerical dragons, named so because of their extremely outlandish appearance, may include the piasa, an American dragon with bird-like features and the face of a man, or the Australian bunyip, which is comprised of many different animal parts.

 Because there are such a wide variety of dragons throughout antiquity, close examination is often required when deciding what can be classed into the dragon collective.

In conclusion, the dragon is a majestic beast representing the battle between the opposing forces of light and darkness. An obscure, mysterious character, described in broad terms, and is little more than foil to enhance the hero's valor.

However  the Dragon is something else. He is an admirable, intelligent and educated creature, who leads a most interesting life. He has some fascinating characteristics in addition to those occasional glimpses we are given through fairy tales and legends.

the dragon has always been slandered and misjudged, persecuted and hounded by man, simply because they are different. Like so many other living beings, he has experienced death and persecution in the name of so-called superiority of civilized man.