Dragon: Difference between revisions

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==European Dragons==
==European Dragons==


The [[heraldic]] '''dragon''' is a 4-legged [[heraldic beast|beast]] with a [[horn]]y head, barbed tongue, scaly back, [[armour]]ed rolls on the chest and belly, 2 [[bat]]-like wings, 4 legs with talons like an [[eagle]]
The [[heraldic]] '''dragon''' is a 4-legged [[heraldic beast|beast]] with a [[horn]]y head, barbed tongue, scaly back, [[armour]]ed rolls on the chest and belly, 2 [[bat]]-like wings, 4 legs with talons like an [[eagle]]�s, and a pointed tail often with an [[arrow]]-like end.


It is usually shown [[rampant]], [[statant]] or [[passant]], and rarely displayed like an eagle.
It is usually shown [[rampant]], [[statant]] or [[passant]], and rarely displayed like an eagle.


Wingless dragons exist in [[England|English]] [[folk-lore]]: often they are alternatively referred to as '''wyrms'''.
Wingless dragons exist in [[England|English]] [[folk-lore]]: often they are alternatively referred to as '''wyrms'''. The wingless variety seen in [[German]] heraldry is called the [[lindwurm]].


In addition, [[Sea Dragon]]s have no wings.
In addition, [[Sea Dragon]]s have no wings.
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==Dragons in SCA Heraldry==
==Dragons in SCA Heraldry==


Dragons are common in [[SCA]] [[heraldry]], but it is a requirement that they be depicted with 3 toes or less.
Dragons are common in [[SCA]] [[heraldry]], but it is a requirement that Oriental dragons be depicted with 3 toes or less.


A dragon [[passant]] [[vert]] appears on the arms of the [[Midrealm]].
A dragon [[passant]] [[vert]] appears on the arms of the [[Midrealm]].


In SCA [[heraldry]], dragons are considered the same as [[wyvern]]s. In fact, [[wyvern]] is the more common form of the beast in [[period]] [[heraldry]], especially in early heraldry.


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 09:16, 31 July 2006

Dragon statant.png

European Dragons

The heraldic dragon is a 4-legged beast with a horny head, barbed tongue, scaly back, armoured rolls on the chest and belly, 2 bat-like wings, 4 legs with talons like an eagle�s, and a pointed tail often with an arrow-like end.

It is usually shown rampant, statant or passant, and rarely displayed like an eagle.

Wingless dragons exist in English folk-lore: often they are alternatively referred to as wyrms. The wingless variety seen in German heraldry is called the lindwurm.

In addition, Sea Dragons have no wings.


Oriental Dragons

There are also dragons in Chinese, Korean and Oriental heraldry. These dragons have no wings, and a varying number of toes. Only the dragons used by the Emperors of China and Japan were permitted to be depicted with five toes; this is comparable with the Roman and Byzantine practice of restricting poryphyry to any but the Emperor, or the medieval European practice of reserving ermine to the nobility.


Dragons in SCA Heraldry

Dragons are common in SCA heraldry, but it is a requirement that Oriental dragons be depicted with 3 toes or less.

A dragon passant vert appears on the arms of the Midrealm.

In SCA heraldry, dragons are considered the same as wyverns. In fact, wyvern is the more common form of the beast in period heraldry, especially in early heraldry.

See Also