The Book of the Dragon"The dragon drifts his way through the art and mythology of the ancient and modern worlds like a recurring dream. And dreamlike, his forms and attributes change, from East to West and from age to age. He doesn't exist, and yet he features in ancient cosmology and western medieval romance; the alchemists used him as a symbol; early travellers insisted that they saw him and drew his images on maps; and psychologists analysed his impact on the human mind. He has been drawn, painted, carved, written about, hunted, slain, prayed to and sacrificed to and offered gifts and abuse in equal measure for centuries. The 140 illustrations range from a Ch'ing dynasty robe to Piero della Francesca's Saint Michael"--author's website. |
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actually alchemists alchemy American ancient animals appears arms aspects associated battle beast become believed body born called caused century certainly Chinese Christian connection creature dead death depicted described destroy devour dragon early earth elephant especially evil existence explain eyes fact father fight fire forces four gods gold guarded head heaven hero hold human idea important Indian indicate interpretation killed kind King known Lake later Left legend light lived maps meaning metal monster mouth mythology myths Nagas nature offered once originally overcome pearl Persian points possible present probably python rain remains represented Right river says seems seen serpent shows similar slain slaying snake sometimes South spirit St George stone story suggested swallowed symbol tail Tiamat told treasure tree true various Western wings