One of the most famous mythological creations in the history of human thought is the horrid serpentine monster called the dragon. Together with the serpent and other repulsive and dangerous creatures, the dragon is a universal symbol of evil, representing a living power that is inimical to God and all that is good, and the just terror of all humans. The serpent is often associated with the Evil One, embodying cunning, artifice, deceit, and malignant subtlety, while the dragon represents the same power in its most imperial and destructive form, armed and defiant. The serpent is a sly and creeping deceiver, insinuating its poison and destroying by stealth, while the dragon is a terrifying oppressor, assaulting with teeth and claws, spikes and fiery breath, rushing upon its prey with every vehemence of malignant energy. The serpent and the dragon are one and the same, manifesting in different ways. Hence, the devil is called "the dragon, that old serpent."
This terrifying image of evil can be found among all nations, from Chinese and Japanese legends and art to the classic poetry of Greece and Rome, religious books, traditions, and ideas across all cultures and ages. It is present in the Old and New Testaments and in the religious beliefs of Jews, Gentiles, Christians, and heathens, as well as the Teutons, Scandinavians, and Celts of Europe, and many others, all connecting it to the same family of ideas. The vanquishing of this monster is the work of gods, heroes, and saints.
Many have wondered and speculated as to how this imagination obtained a universal hold on the human mind. There is nothing in earthly zoology that can serve as the original for the dragon's picture, or to account for such uniform conceptions and ideas around the world. However, the primeval constellations in the stars, pictorially portraying the very ideas that figure so prominently in myths and traditions, can explain this phenomenon. The dragon is wound about at least half of the northern sky, and the divine hero, armed with bow and arrows, rides out like St. George, aiming his weapons at the heart of the dragon's representative. This precise symbol of evil power in all its various shapes and attributes is depicted in the stars, and the great Son of the virgin is portrayed as the conqueror of the same power. Thus, the constellations appear to have played a major role in the creation of this image and the development of related ideas in the minds of humans throughout history.
The Legend of Draco
The constellation Draco, also known as the Dragon, is one of the most recognizable and prominent constellations in the northern hemisphere. It is located close to the North Pole, and it winds its way between the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
In Greek mythology, the legend of Draco is closely associated with the story of the Golden Fleece. The dragon was said to be the guardian of the Golden Fleece, which was coveted by the hero Jason and his crew of Argonauts. To obtain the Fleece, Jason had to defeat the dragon, which he did with the help of the sorceress Medea.
Today, the constellation Draco remains a powerful symbol in popular culture, appearing in movies, TV shows, and video games, and inspiring countless works of art and literature. Despite its fearsome reputation, Draco also reminds us of the enduring power of myth and legend in shaping our understanding of the world around us.