Dragons
Dragons are creatures frequently mentioned in folklore and fantasy stories, however they are also mentioned repeatedly in the Bible.
It is accepted that the "myths" are loosely based based on real creatures such as snakes (especially in European folklore), alligators, and crocodiles. Legendary sea serpents such as Loch Ness, Ogopogo, Gaasyendietha and Argont have never been proven to exist, but some believe that they originate from folk memories of dinosaurs[1]. Crocodiles in particular are perfect candidates for legends of sea dragons, as they have been recorded to grow to truly impressive sizes in some cases, and the fear and hatred of snakes, particularly venomous snakes, is historically common wherever Christianity has taken root.
Saint George, Saint Mercurialis, first bishop of the city of Forlì, Saint Julian of Le Mans, Saint Veran, Saint Crescentinus, Saint Margaret of Antioch, Saint Martha, and Saint Leonard of Noblac are a few of the people whose legends include dragons of some type.
Though European dragons are almost always regarded as evil, or at the least, mere predators, dragons in Eastern mythology tend to be regarded as divine creatures, as often benevolent as neutral or evil.
References
- ↑ "In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea."(Isaiah 27:1)