| Witches are a common motive in the drawings of Hans Baldung Grien, a german artist of the 16th century. They commonly were accused to have sexual intercourse with the devil. Hans Baldung depicted a more discreet scene. The devil is represented by a dragon, and flames from his mouth should symbolize the fire of voluptuousness. |  |
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Hans Baldung genannt Grien
Junge Hexe mit Drache |
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Of course this mural (which I found in Mexico City
on the wall of a building destroyed in the 1986
earthquake) does not represent a dragon. It shows
Quetzalcoalt, the Plumed Serpent, god of life and death in Aztec and Toltec culture.
© MCMXCVII by J. Georg Friebe |
| An early two-legged, winged dragon from the book of snakes by Conrad Gesner (Zürich, 1589). |  |
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During the 17th and 18th century the first "museums" (or better: collections of curiosities) were established. They often contained "dragons", compiled from all sorts of animals. You might think that the curators have been fooled. Wrong ! They were quite aware that these "animals" were man-made. But scientists considered it possible that dragons might live somewhere in a remote place. And so they collected those artefacts as examples of yet unknown but perhaps real creatures. |
| Another dragon (or rather a flying serpent) from the book of snakes by Conrad Gesner (Zürich, 1589). |  |
Verein zur Förderung der Drachenforschung
A society for dragon research.
Der Drachenstich zu Furth im Wald
The historic play "Drachenstich" (= slaying of the dragon) is the oldest folk play in Germany.
Dragons - Drachen. Drachen in der Mythologie, in Legenden und Märchen, in der Kunst
Dragons in mythology and art.
Geldern - die Drachenstadt
Similar to Klagenfurt the German town Geldern occupies the site of a former swampland inhabited by a dragon.
D.R.A.G.O.N.S.
Draconic Research Alliance for Gainful Observations also Non-lucrative Society.
Biological description and physiology of dragons.
The Unicorn Web Page
Bored of dragons? Have a look at some unicorns!
The ouroboros
A serpent biting its tail - symbol of eternity.
Legends and myths from Austria (in German).
Vorarlberger Naturschau
The place where I am working!