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The Dragon: Mythical Beasts of the Middle East, Part 2 |
| Section: CULTURE / FOLK WISDOM |
| Author: Rachel Hajar |
| Publication: The world & I online |
| Issue Date: 1/1/1999 |
| Size: 2,238 Words, 13,981 Characters |
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In the ancient Near East, the dragon symbolized the four elements of nature: earth, air, fire, and water. It lived in the depths of earth or water, flew through the air, and would often breathe flame.
As the inhabitants of gloomy regions under land and water, dragons were often associated with dark forces. In many traditions, they are linked with the earth-dwelling serpent, a form usually representing evil.
Benevolent beasts
Early writings illuminate the mythical significance of dragons. In Near Eastern mythology, the dragon symbolizes destruction and evil when it is untamed. Conquered and subdued, however, it assumes the role of guardian. This is clearly illustrated in the Babylonian Epic of Creation, written about 1400 b.c. The epic details the struggle of Apsu, god of the prim...
. . .
...er in human affairs, there is another dimension to dragon lore, and that is our struggle to master the dark, demonic forces of our nature to attain harmony with our true inner self.
Additional Reading
Additional Reading:
Peter Bently, ed., The Hutchinson Dictionary of World Myth, Helicon Publishing, London, 1995.John Cherry, ed., Mythical Beasts, British Museum Press, London, 1995.
(818 of 13,981 characters)
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