Dragons in history

Dragons are wonderful, magickal creatures that have been misunderstood for centuries. Dragons are creatures of wisdom and knowledge, long-lived, their age sometimes going back to the beginning of creation of the human world. They are part of the energy found all around us. You may never see them but you may, eventually, feel their presence. As with everything having great powers, dragons were feared and considered evil in some parts of the world and respected in others, depending on how people understood their energy.
Perhaps one of the most common legendary monster, the dragon, is perceived as an immense, bat-winged, fire-breathing, scaled lizard or snake. Some have the head and forelegs of a lion or bird of prey. Because of their terror-inspiring qualities and decorative figures, dragons were commonly used as warlike emblems.

Ancient Dacians used a war standard in the form of a dragon with open wolf-like jaws containing several metal tongues. The body of the dragon was hollow and the effect of the wind blowing through the Dacian wolf flag or Dacian Draco as it is also called was terrifying to their enemies.

Among the Dacians, the draco was undoubtedly seen by the army as a special protective symbol, while it also played an important role in the religious life of the people.
The draco shows a religious syncretism between the wolf and the dragon as well as the serpent. It was supposed to encourage the Dacians (also called Getae or Geto-Dacians by historians) and to scare their enemies. The body of the standard, depicting a dragon-like balaur or a large snake, was seen by the Dacians as a manifestation of the sky demon or “heavenly dragon”. This relates to their supreme god Zalmoxis. The decorative pattern of a dragon head or a serpent became quite common in Dacia. The dragon symbol is also represented on the silver Dacian bracelets of the Classical period.

The snake-shaped bracelets and other similar ornaments show not only the spread of the snake as a decorative motif but also its significance in Dacian material civilization. Draco Dacians marched into the battle accompanied by the howl of boar-headed trumpets and following their sinister multicolored dragon-head standard. As intended, they made a terrifying audiovisual spectacle.

Scholars believe that the draco was adopted by the Roman army following their conquest of the Dacians. Some scholars such as Osborne (1985) and Ashmore (1961) consider that the draco was adopted by the Romans from the Dacians. It became the standard of the cohort in the same way that the aquila or Imperial eagle was the standard of the Roman legion. The adopted standard in the Roman cavalry was borne by a draconarius. Later, the draco became an imperial ensign.

The draco was generally introduced in the 4th century as a Roman standard. When Constantine placed the Christian symbol on military ensigns instead of the dragon, the name outlived the change, and the standard-bearer remained the draconarius. Sometimes the ancient symbol is found joined to the new, the dragon being placed beneath the cross.

Celtic designs often blend Christian symbology with dragon lore.

Along with the myths of dragons came legends of dragons layers. Because people saw them as good protectors, dragons have been christened with such elite titles as Guardian of Law, Champion of Justice, Defender of Mercy, Protector of Purity, and Patron of Virtue. Throughout history, they’ve befriended the helpless and weak, ridding the world of those who are merciless and unjust but were also pictured as symbols of feared forces. Although not destructive by nature, all dragons have been known on occasion in their zeal for valour, even if by accident, to obliterate their enemies while carrying out one of their elite titles. Medieval stories of heroes slaying dragons are plentiful. It was a way of expressing victory over fear or evil.

In Christianity, the icon of St. George slaying the dragon is an expression of faith’s victory over other forces.

Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it. With this, the Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial power and strength.

In Chinese daily language, excellent and outstanding people are compared to a dragon

As Buddhism spread in China, it adapted to Chinese culture. Chinese Buddhist artists adopted the dragon as a symbol of enlightenment. Today dragons decorate roofs and gates of temples, both as guardians and to symbolize the dragon’s power of clarity. Buddhist dragons often are depicted holding a mani jewel, which represents the Buddha’s teaching.

Dragon Magick

In all forms of magick, the universe and everything in it are said to be made up of four elements: Air, Fire, Water, Earth. The element of Spirit rules the centre as a balance. In dragon magick,specific dragons rule these elements and help to create through their powers.

These four elements correspond to the four directions, the four quarters of the universe, the four winds, and the four quarters of the magickal circle.

Each element has assigned traditional rulers and boundaries to their kingdoms. They possess form and force, and can influence our personalities as well as magickal procedures. Each element and its dragons has certain qualities, natures, moods, and magickal purposes; each has positive and negative traits. Because the magician calls upon each element and its ruler, it is very important to understand them, what they are and what they do.
A Dragon is a fabulous animal represented as a large-winged, scaly serpent with a crested head and huge claws. In actuality, the creature is of a tremendous size and immense intelligence. As with all living things, there are different ages, sizes, types, and shapes. The color of the creature’s scales have nothing to do with its nature, but rather its breath weapon, strength and intelligence.
Dragons are neither good nor evil, but what their environment makes them.
Dragons and Dreams go hand in hand. Dragons will believe in your
Dreams with all their might, share your dreams with a Dragon and it is bound to come true.

Dragons of The Elements

Air Dragons

Air Dragons are rulers of the Eastern Quarter of the circle. The colors are pure yellow, or white. They are considered warm and moist. They influence wind, storms, weather. Also communication, gossip, intelligence, joy, bragging, forgetfulness, etc.

You may know a Dragon of air by the feeling he generates. Have you been bragging, gossiping, or have you felt joyful with a nice mental quickness? In circle, this may be your Dragon of the East bidding you a quick hello. Ask this type of dragon to help you prevent/cause windstorms, tornados, and the like. But, as a warning, this dragon rules fickleness (it’s one of the negative associations with this element) so be prepared, if the Dragon chooses you, and then chooses someone else.. tis the nature of this element.

Fire Dragons

Supposedly, the ruler of the Southern Quarter is named Fafnir.(faf’-near) This ruler oversees the Dragons of Sunbeams and Fire. It’s colour is Red, or orange. It’s considered warm and dry. It corresponds to the Sun, enthusiasm, passion, courage, leadership, hate, jealousy, war, conflicts, lightning, and both harmful and helpful fire of any kind.

Have you felt a passion that you didn’t feel before? Or are you getting into unnecessary conflicts with people in circle? This may be the feeling of the Dragon of Fire, bidding hello. This dragon can help you start wars, although, not to finish them to a”positive” end. This is a more dangerous dragon to ask into your circle, since this deals with the fire of Human drive. The negative associations may not be worth the positive if treated un respectfully.

Water Dragons

Water Dragons are rulers of the Western Quarter. Their colour is pure blue (sometimes also, a turquoise or lavender). Their aspect is cold and moist. It corresponds with compassion, peacefulness, forgiveness, love, intuition, calmness, rainstorms, laziness, indifference, insecurity.

Have you felt insecure about something, or felt this unknown feeling of forgiveness for someone? This is the Dragon of Water tipping his hat (if he had one) to you. This dragon can
help you develop psychic powers, love another person, and feel forgiveness. But, that goes along also with feeling lazy, indifferent, and insecure, which are also under this dragon’s domain. Also, are you doing a spell close to a body of water? This dragon may be the one to ask to be a guardian.

Earth Dragons

Earth Dragons are rulers of the Northern Quarter.They are the Dragons of mountains, minerals, land, and moonbeams. Their colour is dark green, or at times black or brown. Their aspect is cold and dry. Their associations are gemstones, mountains, caves, respect, endurance, responsibility, stability, prosperity, also, rigidity, unwillingness to change, stubbornness, lack of conscience.

Have you felt that you can endure anything? Or perhaps, being overly stubborn in a situation during circle? You are saying hello to a Dragon of Earth. This is a type of Dragon to ask to help protect your circle, but also one to be wary of if you are already feeling too much stubbornness and rigidity in life.