01-28-2004, 07:35 PM
Jeroen,<br>
The past few years I have researched the phenomena of dragons as they relate to the Judaeo-Christian religions for a book which is nearly ready now. To answer your question, actually, the concept of dragons being particularly Evil is from later medieval times as people got progressively stupider, and more ignorant of original religious concepts. This has culminated with nutty fundamentalist Christians who think Constantine was a Satan worshiper because of his Draco standard. Like the Greeks,(and many, many other religions) the Hebrews identified dragons as servants to the Gods (ie. guarding golden fleece, hesperdies apples, garden of eden. etc), Also to punish people (Andromeda legend, Moses (almost swallowed but spewed out again), Jason also swallowed and spewed out, Jonah (yes, originally a dragon, not a fish, etc.) Dragons in the book of Psalms sing praises to God, St. Augustine commenting on their admirable qualities and magnificence, the highest servants of God, Seraphim are flying fiery serpents,ie dragons etc. The orginal concept of hell were great dragons in heaven that devoured sinners and/or their souls, and the cherubuim dragons are often shown guarding heaven in early Christian art, devouring the unworthy trying to gain entrance.<br>
Also recall that virtually every early Medieval cathredal in Europe had a frieze with sinners being pushed into the mouth of a great dragon, Leviathan, which will also devour the wicked on judgement day.<br>
In fact it was Dante's story that shifted the notion of hell being a devouring dragon (as Jesus also alludes to besides books like Baruch), to the undergound "cartoon hell" with the<br>
pitchfork wielding devil, (though Dante's devil was a little less comical). Incidentally, I have the ultimate Dante Book, "Illuminated Manuscripts of the Divine Comedy" from Princeton University Press. I believe it has virtually every medieval illustration on the subject. I think over 2000 images. I acquired it mainly for the interesting depictions of dragons.<br>
<br>
Dan<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
The past few years I have researched the phenomena of dragons as they relate to the Judaeo-Christian religions for a book which is nearly ready now. To answer your question, actually, the concept of dragons being particularly Evil is from later medieval times as people got progressively stupider, and more ignorant of original religious concepts. This has culminated with nutty fundamentalist Christians who think Constantine was a Satan worshiper because of his Draco standard. Like the Greeks,(and many, many other religions) the Hebrews identified dragons as servants to the Gods (ie. guarding golden fleece, hesperdies apples, garden of eden. etc), Also to punish people (Andromeda legend, Moses (almost swallowed but spewed out again), Jason also swallowed and spewed out, Jonah (yes, originally a dragon, not a fish, etc.) Dragons in the book of Psalms sing praises to God, St. Augustine commenting on their admirable qualities and magnificence, the highest servants of God, Seraphim are flying fiery serpents,ie dragons etc. The orginal concept of hell were great dragons in heaven that devoured sinners and/or their souls, and the cherubuim dragons are often shown guarding heaven in early Christian art, devouring the unworthy trying to gain entrance.<br>
Also recall that virtually every early Medieval cathredal in Europe had a frieze with sinners being pushed into the mouth of a great dragon, Leviathan, which will also devour the wicked on judgement day.<br>
In fact it was Dante's story that shifted the notion of hell being a devouring dragon (as Jesus also alludes to besides books like Baruch), to the undergound "cartoon hell" with the<br>
pitchfork wielding devil, (though Dante's devil was a little less comical). Incidentally, I have the ultimate Dante Book, "Illuminated Manuscripts of the Divine Comedy" from Princeton University Press. I believe it has virtually every medieval illustration on the subject. I think over 2000 images. I acquired it mainly for the interesting depictions of dragons.<br>
<br>
Dan<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
