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YOKAI CASE FILE #7 – Dragons

Christopher Tordoff Christopher Tordoff 24/06/2020 5 min read

“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Over the coming weeks and months throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.

With their sheer size, power and majesty, Dragons have enchanted humanity from stone age wall paintings to modern tales of boy wizards. But are all Dragons evil and destructive, or is there another more benevolent side to these misunderstood creatures of myth?

Name:
Dragon
Other names:
Leviathan; Wyvern; Hydra; Draco; Drakon; Worm
Country of Origin:
Every corner of the world
Dwelling:
From the loftiest mountain peak to the deepest cave, lake and river.
Appearance:
A large, serpentine and winged (in some cases) beast.
Favorite Food:
Unlucky chivalrous Knights!
Power:
The power of flight, fire breathing and in some cases, hypnotism!
Weakness:
Lucky chivalrous Knights!
About: With their origins found in Dinosaur bones, this Jurassic error goes a long way to explain why the concept of Dragons can be found in most cultures around the world. From Ancient China to Medieval England and even Ancient Greece and Egypt, Dragons have captured the human consciousness like no other mythical creature. In Asia, the Dragon represent water and are closely associated with the gods. More help than hindrance, there are many stories, particularly in China where dragons have come to the aid of the Emperors when in desperate need. In Japan, Dragons take on a more antagonistic role, where they are more to be vanquished than worshipped, much like their European counterparts. Dragons feature heavily in post-classical Europe, with the most famous story attributed to Saint George and the slaying of an evil Dragon representing the devil. Dragons as representations of evil continue throughout European myth, with the story of the most famous vampire in history! The son of “Dracul” a member of the Order of the Dragon, Vlad the Impaler earned his gruesome nickname by impaling his Ottoman enemies on pikes as he dined on blood! This “son of a Dragon” would carry on his bloody carnage in the guise of Dracula! With more modern interpretations abundant, from Tolkien’s Hobbit to JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Dragons will continue to mystify and enchant us – not a bad legacy for incorrectly identifying a pile of dusty old bones.
GALLERY:

 
Christopher Tordoff

Christopher Tordoff

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