Dragons
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Longwang/Long Wang
The Longwang is a notable dragon from Chinese myth. He has a human body and a dragon head. The term can also refer to the four Dragon Kings Ao Ch’in, Ao Ju, Ao Kuang, and Ao Shun. He has amassed a massive hoard of treasure built up from the countless junk ships sunk by him over the years. Specific to its treasure trove are gems resembling large fish eyes, and people from the Juanch’eng district believe that a fish washing ashore without eyes are victims of the Longwang. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Kur
Kur is a Sumerian dragon from the underworld living in the primordial waters. His name means “land” or “mountain.” He angered the gods by kidnapping Ereshkigal to be his underworld queen. Ninurta is said to have killed Kur with his mystical weapon, Sharur. Ninurta killed Kur which allowed the primordial waters to flood the earth and he had to lead people to the Tigris and Euphrates to rebuild civilization. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Jinshin-Mushi/Earthquake Beetle
The Jinshin-Mushi is a Yokai from Japanese myth. It’s thought to be a giant dragon-headed beetle that causes earthquakes as it moves around underground. It’s thought to be covered in scales and have ten hairy legs ending in spider claws. It’s thought to be the counterpart to the Jinshin-Uwo. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Rose, Carol. Giants Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia Of Folklore Legend And Myth. United Kingdom, WW Norton, 2001. Rosen, Brenda. Mythical Creatures Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Beings. Taiwan, Sterling, 2009.
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Polar Worms
The Polar Worms are mythical creatures from Inuit myth. They’re described as long serpentine creatures. They have dragon-like heads and are considered to be extremely vicious. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon, and DeKirk, Ashley. Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry. United States, Red Wheel Weiser, 2006.
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Guivre
The Guivre is from French myth. They have serpentine bodies with horned dragon heads. They live in swamps, pools, woods, and generally damp places. They would often hunt and kill humans. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Flugdreki
The Flugdreki is a form of dragon from Norse myth. Its name translates to “flying serpent” and is separate from the Dreki and Ormr. They have been known to attack those out at sea and can often be killed like any other creature. Citations: Fee, Christopher R.. Mythology in the Middle Ages: Heroic Tales of Monsters, Magic, and Might. United States, Praeger, 2011. Vídalín, Arngrímur. The Supernatural in Íslendingasögur. Iceland, Tower Press, 2012.
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Faery Dragon/Fey Dragon/Fairy Dragon/Penny Dragon
The Faery Dragon is a creature commonly from South American folklore. They resemble the typical European Dragon but range from the size of a mouse to a foot long. They also have two sets of wings resembling a dragonfly or butterfly, long tapered snouts, large iridescent eyes, and coloration matching their surroundings. Their scales are thought to reflect rainbows in the correct light. Citations: Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon, and DeKirk, Ashley. Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry. United States, Red Wheel Weiser, 2006.
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Tarasque/Tarasconus/Taras/Tauriskos
The Tarasque was a bizarre chimerical dragon from Medieval France. It was an amphibious beast thought to live in the forest around the Rhone River. It was believed to be the child of the Leviathan and the Onachus. It was larger than an ox, had six legs ending in bear paws, a lion head, a serpentine tail ending in a scorpion stinger, a hard shell covered in spikes, and impenetrable scales covering its body. It was incredibly vicious, being known to sink ships and kill anyone moving along its river. It was believed a village requested the assistance of Saint Martha, who then went and found the creature in the…
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Nabau/Iban Dragon
The Nabau is a mysterious creature from Borneo, Indonesia resembling a giant snake. The term Nabau can be either singular or plural. They have a diameter like a big drum, scales the size of plates, measure eighty feet long, and swim around in rivers. They’re described as dragon-like creatures with small or non-existent legs and seven nostrils. They’re also believed to poop pythons. It has been described as an ancient serpent spirit and depictions of Nabau often show small animals near the mouth to represent food. It is thought to sometimes show itself, and some locals claim to have witnessed it. It was sighted in the Baleh River in February…
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Dreki/Drekar
The Dreki are a form of Dragon present in Norse myth. They were often thought to be capable of flight, could breath fire from their mouths or nostrils, and may be described as having only two clawed front limbs. The Dragon Nidhogg from Norse myth was often referred to a Dreki instead of other kinds. The Dreki is depicted on viking ships, likely for the purpose of sympathetic magic. The Dreki are distinctly different from the Ormr, another form of Dragon in Norse myth. Citations: Fee, Christopher R.. Mythology in the Middle Ages: Heroic Tales of Monsters, Magic, and Might. United States, Praeger, 2011. Jesch, Judith. Ships and men in…
