Dragons have always had a romanticized relationship with humanity. Whether it be through their portrayal in major religions, or even the friendly reptiles in kids' movies and TV shows, dragons have been a staple of the fantasy genre for many years. For instance, in Eragon by Christopher Paolini, Eragon must take down a dangerous king by becoming a dragon rider. In Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin, dragons are considered an important part of the setting as a whole, and are just as important in the television series to cement the fantastical elements in the story. In classic fairytale tropes, dragons are often used to represent an evil that must be stopped, whether it be by a prince or a knight. 

So why should you incorporate dragons into your story? What makes them so iconic, after all these years? Below are just a few reasons. 

Their Power

Dragons are snake-like creatures with wings on their backs. They are also legendary creatures with the power to fly and breathe fire. Even more telling of their supremacy is via the various cultures throughout the world, where they would represent certain aspects of religion and the afterlife. For example, Apepi is an Egyptian deity that represents darkness. Both in Western and Eastern religion, dragons have been used to represent power and authority, and will continue to do so. 

Their History

Dragons have been known throughout various cultures for thousands of years. In Mesopotamia and the Middle East, dragons represented both good and evil, and appeared on the Ishtar Gate in Babylon. In Ancient Egypt, Apepi is a dragon-like creature that lives in the Underworld, a fearsome monster that could hold his own against the other Egyptian deities. In the Middle and High Middle Ages, dragons were thought to be powerful, intelligent, and greedy. Due to the Book of Revelation, dragons were believed to be evil, and were depicted as such because of how the beast is described. 

Their Symbolism 

Dragons have gone on to symbolize human morality, and served as a powerful beacon of the supernatural. As mentioned before, Christianity came to associate the dragon with evil, with many legends and stories describing saints who conquered these dragons without any hesitation or mercy. They are also mentioned in Greek mythology, Norse mythology, and Chinese culture, where they are even used to symbolize good luck. 

Dragons have been depicted throughout modern literature. Whether it be from books such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling, or A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, or even through video games like Skyrim, dragons have had a significant impact on our society. They’ve been an important element in the fantasy genre, and while there has been fear surrounding them, in the end, they’re strong, timeless creatures that have lived throughout human history, and will continue to inspire dozens of legends for us to enjoy.