Stories and myths about monstrous dragons and their supernatural abilities have kept children awake and agog throughout the centuries. Various versions of these winged, magical creatures exist in folklore and tales of all cultures. Nobody knows dragons better than children, because only kids have the ability to speak and understand dragon language.
In every culture, through the ages, stories of dragons have been passed on from generation to generation. There is probably not a human being who has not yet heard a dragon story. Children relate in various ways to these mythical beasts. Young boys fantasize about slaying them and being knighted for bravery. Girls dream about being rescued from a gigantic monster-dragon by a handsome, brave prince. These days, dragons are also portrayed as loving, kind and even cuddly creatures in every second childrens book about dragons.
What make these mystical creatures so special? What do they have that fascinates people from all over the world? And why are people, even today, so intrigued by stories and folklore about a species that only existed in man's imagination?
But then again, who said dragons are not real? There is no real proof that they never existed and may even still be around! Maybe, just maybe, they are among us, but can only be seen through the eyes of a child . . .
Dragons can have many forms and shapes. They can be good or evil. Big or small. Pretty or ugly, scary or loving. In the world of dragons anything is possible. It is a make-believe world into which one can escape and become whatever you want.
Most children have a favorite dragon friend whose character and traits appeal most to them. All dragons have fancy or meaningful names and kids can talk to them and play with them whenever they want. Popular dragons pop up like magic in a child's world. They are in books, on TV, in video games and some even attach themselves to the clothes or bedding of their favorite human friend to stay in close contact! If a child wants to communicate with a specific dragon, he or she can summon it by drawing or painting it's picture.
Clever artists and illustrators know there is no scientific proof of what a dragon truly looks like, and that only children can see them. That's why they listen to kids and study children's drawings of dragons to get an idea of how to portray them. Unlike in the human world, dragons can be any color, size or shape. Some can fly, while others have long legs and huge claws to jump across mountains and oceans. Cruel, man eating dragons have horns and razor sharp teeth, while baby dragons are cute and cuddly.
No grownup has ever seen a baby dragon being born, but kids know they are hatched from huge eggs! Sweet-faced, cute baby dragons are popular characters in children's books and often grow up to become the heroes that slay their evil peers. Like in the real world, the battle between good and bad also exists in the dragon world.
Grownups have always speculated about where dragons come from and whether they live in the sea or on land. In the Middle Ages people only knew about land-based dragons that looked like huge snakes, lizards or dinosaurs. The first sailors thought dragons only lived in the sea and therefore people were scared to cross the ocean.
Are dragons just a figment of human imagination, kept alive by embroidered myths about huge prehistoric animals such as dinosaurs? Or is it possible that they truly exist and only expose themselves to children? Who knows? As long as they capture the imagination and inspire imaginative stories, dragons will be with us!
In every culture, through the ages, stories of dragons have been passed on from generation to generation. There is probably not a human being who has not yet heard a dragon story. Children relate in various ways to these mythical beasts. Young boys fantasize about slaying them and being knighted for bravery. Girls dream about being rescued from a gigantic monster-dragon by a handsome, brave prince. These days, dragons are also portrayed as loving, kind and even cuddly creatures in every second childrens book about dragons.
What make these mystical creatures so special? What do they have that fascinates people from all over the world? And why are people, even today, so intrigued by stories and folklore about a species that only existed in man's imagination?
But then again, who said dragons are not real? There is no real proof that they never existed and may even still be around! Maybe, just maybe, they are among us, but can only be seen through the eyes of a child . . .
Dragons can have many forms and shapes. They can be good or evil. Big or small. Pretty or ugly, scary or loving. In the world of dragons anything is possible. It is a make-believe world into which one can escape and become whatever you want.
Most children have a favorite dragon friend whose character and traits appeal most to them. All dragons have fancy or meaningful names and kids can talk to them and play with them whenever they want. Popular dragons pop up like magic in a child's world. They are in books, on TV, in video games and some even attach themselves to the clothes or bedding of their favorite human friend to stay in close contact! If a child wants to communicate with a specific dragon, he or she can summon it by drawing or painting it's picture.
Clever artists and illustrators know there is no scientific proof of what a dragon truly looks like, and that only children can see them. That's why they listen to kids and study children's drawings of dragons to get an idea of how to portray them. Unlike in the human world, dragons can be any color, size or shape. Some can fly, while others have long legs and huge claws to jump across mountains and oceans. Cruel, man eating dragons have horns and razor sharp teeth, while baby dragons are cute and cuddly.
No grownup has ever seen a baby dragon being born, but kids know they are hatched from huge eggs! Sweet-faced, cute baby dragons are popular characters in children's books and often grow up to become the heroes that slay their evil peers. Like in the real world, the battle between good and bad also exists in the dragon world.
Grownups have always speculated about where dragons come from and whether they live in the sea or on land. In the Middle Ages people only knew about land-based dragons that looked like huge snakes, lizards or dinosaurs. The first sailors thought dragons only lived in the sea and therefore people were scared to cross the ocean.
Are dragons just a figment of human imagination, kept alive by embroidered myths about huge prehistoric animals such as dinosaurs? Or is it possible that they truly exist and only expose themselves to children? Who knows? As long as they capture the imagination and inspire imaginative stories, dragons will be with us!
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