Antiques -> Asian -> Statues
Many ancient cultures have their own dragon myths, some that are traced back as far as 4000 BC, but the ancient Chinese believed that dragon statues represented a creature that symbolized strength and good fortune. Other cultures saw dragons as rather wicked and dangerous creatures intent on destruction, but the ancient Chinese saw dragons as symbols of creation, instead. They were revered as protectors of the sacred, able to fly on massive wings.
Where did the dragon stories come from, and how did every ancient culture come up with such a similar representation of the dragon, if they didn’t exist? Unlike today, when an image can be placed on TV and the Internet and half the world can see the same thing, communication was difficult among countries in ancient times. How could they all have claimed such similar stories? The stories might have been used to explain the discovery of dinosaur bones. These would have looked similar no matter where they were found, and can explain the similarity of the earliest dinosaur statues and other artwork depicting dinosaurs.
Dragons, particularly the sea dwelling variety, were fear and said to live at the edges of the sea, when the world was believed to be flat. And not only did adventurous sailors risk sailing off the edge, they risked being eaten by the dragons who lived on the fringes of the world. Ancient maps often said “Here be dragons” at the edges for that reason. These days, the only place you’re likely to encounter a sea monster dragon is in the many different types of dragon statues produced for lawn and garden, or as collectibles suitable for display.
Dragons appeared in Greek mythology, and were a common theme in fairy tales and myths. Who hasn’t heard the story of the young Prince set to slay the fire-breathing dragon to either discover a vast treasure or rescue the would-be-princess? Many cultures feared dragons, and their stories depicted dragons as creatures to be vanquished. But like ancient China, Rome believed dragons were wise and mysterious. Their dragon statues represented knowledge, strength and heroism, though a more sinister looking dragon often represented a threat.
Though dragons were depicted similarly throughout the world, Chinese dragon statues and the dragons of medieval times had marked differences. Chinese dragons often had very long bodies and squared heads that house their massive jaws. Medieval dragons were depicted as less lithe than Chinese dragons. They often had much wider bodies, more resembling some dinosaurs than the Chinese version, and were chunkier in general, with heads that more closely resembled serpents.
Collecting dragon statues today is a highly individual pursuit. Online auctions offer thousands of choices, so you can find something in your choice of materials and styles. Those looking for actual antique statues will have to ask many questions of the seller, as the word vintage is often used to describe the look of the statue, the type of dragon and reproduction, rather than its age or origin.
Originally posted 2008-10-19 14:00:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Chinese Antique Jade Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese Chinese antique jade isn't just beautiful in its own right, but carries a deep cultural significance for the Chinese people. Historically, it was used for jewelry, in religious ceremonies, culturally, monetarily, and was believed to hold great mystical and healing powers. Today, it's still an...... -
Chinese Chest Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese: Chests A Chinese chest can improve the look of any room, in addition to providing storage space and serving as a conversation piece, especially if it's an antique. A chest can function as more than just storage, it can be used as a coffee or...... -
Gothic Art Antiques -> Decorative-Arts Gothic art refers to any art, whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or some other medium, created from about the mid-12th century through the end of the 14th century. Art was still created over the next century that’s often called International Gothic, but this type of art...... - Antique Mirrors Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry......
- Antique Chinese Parrot Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese If you are interested in a unique Asian collectible that is sure to get plenty of discussions going, antique Chinese parrots are an excellent choice. These delightful decorative collectibles come in many different shapes and styles and many are vibrantly colored and well designed. Most......
Related Websites -
Swine Flu – What You've Not Been Told By Mike Adams If you read the stories on H1N1 influenza written by the mainstream media, you might incorrectly think there's only one anti-viral drug in the world. It's name is Tamiflu and it's in short supply. That's astonishing to hear because the world is full of anti-viral medicine found...... -
Macau: The Other Gambling World On the island of Coloane, Restaurante Fernando harkens to a time when the Portuguese controlled this picturesque area of southern China. The open-air eatery looks out on the black sands of Hác-Sá beach, where cool breezes help stem the area's natural humidity. The aroma of barbecued beef, roasted suckling pigs...... -
An Assembly Such As This by Pamela Aidan- Guest Review What I love best is seeing multiple perspectives on books that I'm reading, have read, or intend to read. When Sasha sent me this guest review, I was pleasantly surprised. Without knowing it, we were reading the same book trilogy within days of each other! Check out my review of...... -
![[Perth Mint Lunar Series Gold Dragon 1 Ounce coin]](http://www.livingoffdividends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/perth_mint_lunar_series_gold_dragon.jpg "[Perth Mint Lunar Series Gold Dragon 1 Ounce coin]")
Gold Play: Great Time To Invest As I've mentioned before I think the US is going to enter a period of inflation and recession brought on by the trade & budget deficit and precipitated by the devaluing dollar. Both Oil and Gold have been in a slow and quiet bull market for the past few years....... - Macau Attractions. Quick Guide If you are looking for a break from the hullaballoo of Macau’s casinos and nightlife, there are a multitude of other attractions to keep you amused. In 2005 Macau was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as an important place of cultural, scientific, technological, artistic, and architectural exchange from......
