List of Dragons from Around the World

Dragons are mystical creatures that have captivated human imagination for centuries. They appear in the myths and legends of cultures around the globe, each with its own unique appearance and role—sometimes revered as sacred guardians and at other times feared as monstrous beasts. In this article, we introduce you to dragons from Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and America, exploring their distinct characteristics and cultural backgrounds. Discover the enchanting world of dragon lore and find your favorite dragon among these legendary beings.

Dragons appear throughout global mythologies as enigmatic beings. Depending on the region, they are portrayed as massive winged beasts, serpentine deities of the sea, or formidable adversaries that challenge heroes. Their diverse forms and roles reflect the rich cultural histories from which they emerge.

This guide presents dragons from Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and America, detailing the unique traits and stories each tradition offers. By exploring these legends, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the depth and diversity of dragon lore.

African Dragons

West African Dragons

Aido Wedo – A rainbow serpent featured in the mythology of Dahomey (modern-day Benin). Serving the creator deity Mawu-Lisa, this sacred serpent is said to uphold the earth and maintain cosmic harmony.
Ayida-Weddo – An alternate name for Aido Wedo. In Vodou traditions, this deity is revered alongside her consort Damballa, symbolizing rainbows and water.
Damballa – One of the most important loa (spirits) in West African and Haitian Vodou, depicted as a serpent. He is associated with wisdom and creation.
Bida – A gigantic serpent from the Soninke mythology of West Africa. Once the guardian of the Soninke kingdom, Bida was defeated by a brave warrior, marking the decline of the kingdom.
Ninki Nanka – A legendary creature from West African folklore. Often described as resembling a crocodile, this dragon is said to inhabit regions along the Nile and the Guinea coast.

Egyptian Dragons

Apep or Apophis – In Egyptian mythology, this enormous serpent represents chaos. Every night, it battles the sun god Ra, attempting to plunge the world into darkness.
Ouroboros – A serpent that consumes its own tail, forming a circle. It is a symbol of infinity and eternal renewal.
Jaculus – A small, winged dragon believed to fly like a dart and strike enemies with swift, arrow-like attacks.

Nyanga

Kirimu – A colossal beast featured in the Mwindo Epic of the Nyanga people in the Congo. With seven horns, Kirimu is said to have forged an alliance with the thunder god Nkuba.

Southern African Dragons

Grootslang – A giant serpent rumored to dwell in the Richtersveld of South Africa. Its name means “big snake” in Afrikaans, and legend has it that it was created by the gods but later split into an elephant and a snake due to its overwhelming power.
Monyohe – A serpent-like dragon in the mythology of the Sotho people, known for inhabiting lakes and rivers and striking fear into the hearts of local residents.

Tsonga Dragons

Masingi – A benevolent dragon in Tsonga lore. It is believed to possess healing powers and is said to reside in clean, sacred spaces.

European Dragons

Albanian Dragons

Bolla – A snake-like dragon in Albanian folklore that awakens once a year on St. George’s Day to devour humans.
Kulshedra – Evolving from Bolla every 12 years, this fearsome dragon grows multiple tongues and horns, controls water, and can even bring about drought.
Dreq – Once considered a dragon, this entity’s image transformed into that of a demonic creature following the influence of Christianity.

Alpine Dragons

Tatzelwurm – A legendary creature of the Alpine region with a cat-like face, stubby legs, and a serpentine body.

Catalan Dragons

Drac – A dragon from Catalan legend, depicted with either two or four legs and known for spitting venom.
Víbria – A female dragon characterized by oversized wings and razor-sharp claws.

Celtic Dragons

Beithir – A thunderous dragon from Scottish mythology, depicted without wings and resembling a colossal snake.
Y Ddraig Goch – The red dragon of Welsh legend, famed for its victory over a white dragon, and now a national symbol of Wales.

French Dragons

Tarasque – A legendary dragon from Provence, said to have been tamed by Saint Martha.
Guivre – A snake-like dragon in French mythology, notorious for its poisonous breath.
Peluda – Known as “the hairy beast,” this dragon is said to launch toxic spines from its back.

Germanic & Nordic Dragons

Lindworm – A creature with a serpent’s body and a dragon’s head, found in legends across Europe.
Fafnir – A famous dragon from Norse mythology, originally a human who was transformed by a cursed treasure.
Jörmungandr – The world-encircling serpent of Norse lore, destined to battle the gods during Ragnarök.

Polish Dragons

Wawel Dragon – Once said to reside in a cave beneath Wawel Hill in Kraków, this dragon was eventually slain by a brave cobbler.

Slavic Dragons

Zmey Gorynych – A three-headed dragon from Slavic mythology, known for breathing fire and terrorizing local communities until defeated by heroes.

Asian Dragons

Chinese Dragons

Lóng – The legendary dragon of Chinese mythology. Characterized by its long, serpentine body and four legs, it is revered as a divine creature governing weather and water.
- Azure Dragon – The guardian of the East, symbolizing spring.
- Yellow Dragon – Protector of the center, representing the imperial power.
- Dragon King – A dragon deity who rules over water and weather.
- Shenlong – A celestial dragon who controls the rain and storms.
- Fucanglong – A dragon guardian of volcanoes and hidden treasures.

Japanese Dragons

Ryū – Japan’s version of the Chinese dragon, often associated with water and rain.
- Orochi – The legendary eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent vanquished by the storm god Susanoo.
- Kuzuryū – The nine-headed dragon, revered as a water deity.
- Tatsu – The common term for dragons in Japanese lore.

Korean Dragons

Yong or Mireu – A celestial dragon that governs the clouds and rain.
Imoogi – A massive serpentine creature that has not yet fully transformed into a dragon.

Vietnamese Dragons

Rồng or Long – The dragon of Vietnamese mythology, sharing similar traits with its Chinese counterpart and revered as a water deity.

Oceanian Dragons

Polynesian Dragons

Kihawahine – A dragon or giant lizard from Hawaiian mythology.
Mo’o – A shape-shifting, spiritual lizard found in Hawaiian shamanistic lore.
Taniwha – A massive aquatic creature from Māori legends.

Australian Dragons

Rainbow Serpent – A primordial snake featured in Indigenous Australian mythology, credited with creating water sources and sustaining life.

American Dragons

Native American Dragons

Piasa Bird – A giant, dragon-like bird from the legends of the Illini people.
Horned Serpent – A horned snake featured widely in Native American mythology.
Gaasyendietha – A lake dragon featured in the legends of the Seneca tribe.

Mesoamerican Dragons

Quetzalcoatl – The feathered serpent god of Aztec mythology, revered as a creator deity.
Kukulkan – A dragon god in Mayan mythology, similar in nature to Quetzalcoatl.

South American Dragons

Boitatá – An infernal snake from Brazilian folklore, known for its fiery nature.
Amaru – A chimera-like creature from Incan mythology, possessing qualities of a dragon.

Conclusion

Dragons have played a pivotal role in the myths and legends of cultures around the world. Whether worshipped as sacred guardians or challenged as fearsome adversaries, their diverse portrayals reflect the rich history and cultural nuances of their origins. The dragons presented in this article offer fascinating insights into each tradition’s values and beliefs. Is there one dragon that captured your imagination? Delve deeper into these legends and discover even more secrets hidden within the lore of dragons!

Source: Wikipedia – List of dragons in mythology and folklore