Dragons of the East and West

Dragons, both benevolent and wicked, appear in folklore, literature, and art all across the globe. On the origin of dragons, and the myths and legends they inspired.

Dragon medallion, artist unknown. Ming Dynasty, ca. 16th century. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In a flash of crimson, the fisherman’s fly launches through the air and lands with a quiver on the surface of the lake. The man’s village rests not far up the road, and with any luck, he’ll return home with a feast. 

Ripples gently emerge, and the man waits patiently to reel in his prize. The air is unusually humid, even for late spring, but he blots his forehead with the handkerchief his wife lovingly engraved with his initials. Surely, it is the sun’s radiance, and nothing more. 

Growing impatient, the man moves further down the lakeshore and tries again. This time, he’s successful. 

It’s big. Whatever he’s caught is no ordinary fish. His arms ache as he furiously hauls in his prize. Sweat drips down his cheeks. His eyes narrow. 

Suddenly, with the force of a typhoon’s gale, the man is knocked off his feet. The fish drags him into the lake, and just when the man gains the sense to releas…