what is the relationship between the celts and dragons?
2006-12-04 07:34:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I like Welsh mythology so the first thing that I thought of was the story Lludd and Llefelys:
http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/lludd.html
Then there's the fact that that the red dragon (which is featured on the flag of Wales) symbolized the British people. For a history of the flag of Wales:
http://flagspot.net/flags/gb-wa-hs.html
There are other instances of dragons in myths and poetry. If you go to this site and at the bottom type in "dragon" to google the site, you will have quite a few instances to look through:
http://www.maryjones.us/
I've seen a recommendation for the book "The Celtic Dragon Myth" by J. F. Campbell and George Henderson, but I haven't read it yet. It's a bit expensive but you should be able to ask for it at your local library if you're interested in looking into the subject a little deeper. If they don't have it in stock, you could ask them for an inter-library loan.
Hope this helps.
2006-12-06 01:46:01 · answer #1 · answered by Witchy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I saw a show about dragons n the history channel. it theorized that dragons in the celtic area where basically 'big fish' stories since the people in that area were so much into being tough and/or brave. for instance, some guy wants to prove he's a great warrior so he gets lizard and through his story-telling and with the help of rumors, the lizard turns into a twenty foot, fire-breathing, flying, man-eating monster. there's also a theory that some early humans had eye witness reports of 'left-over' dinosaurs that were in the area and the stories were passed down through the generations.
there were theories about the chinese dragons which are said to bring good luck/fortune, creator beings...'good things' but why those particular area, no one seems to have a definate reason
2006-12-04 15:56:36 · answer #2 · answered by strpenta 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Druid and I don't even know the answer to that lol. The best I can assume is it's some sort of a facination. The strange thing is though, that Northern Europe and the Celtic lands, and Southeast Asia are the only places in the world with loads Dragon mythologies and stories, makes ya wonder, don't it?
2006-12-04 15:40:20 · answer #3 · answered by lavos1412 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's not too many dragons, per se - there's a number of odd monsters that might qualify, but most of the old Celtic legends don't deal with many dragons.
That said, there seems to be a reasonable amount of dragon imagery surrounding King Arthur. Not only do you have the whole "Pendragon" name, but when Merlin was young, he had a vision of two dragons (one red, one white) fighting. (You can find more on that vision by looking up info on Vortigern.)
2006-12-05 09:11:14 · answer #4 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is said the celts regarded the dragon as a guardian and protector of the earth.
2006-12-04 15:39:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
celts are to dragons as copper is to electricity
2006-12-04 15:42:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not pagan, so I don't know that I have the authority to answer, but I seem to recall Merlin treating them as if they were guardians of the earth.
2006-12-04 15:58:58 · answer #7 · answered by Guvo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guardians of the Earth. In some instances they are considered personal protectors.
2006-12-04 16:08:08 · answer #8 · answered by Kithy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I have a Celtic Dragon tarot. Other than that, I think they were probably feared and revered at the same time.
Bright blessings!
)O(
2006-12-04 15:39:18 · answer #9 · answered by thelittlemerriemaid 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
http://www.dragonorama.com/western/celtic.html
Oh, and check out pantheon.org, too. Both great sites.
2006-12-04 15:39:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋