Dragons - Western and Eastern


Dragons are fictional and mythological creatures that appear in narratives and video games such as Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Game of Thrones. They are iconic creatures in the fantasy genre and appear very frequently as creatures capable of flight and breathing fire.

The general build of the dragon is composed from many different animals in the real world including lizards, crocodiles and bats, from which they borrow physical features that make up the types of dragons we know today. There are currently two commonly distinguished types of dragons: Western and Eastern dragons, which are defined culture but bear similar physical traits.

Western vs. Eastern Dragons
China Simplified: Dragons: East vs West | China Simplified
China Simplified, East vs West

Between both regions' dragons, there are some obvious differences, such as their build, shape and their textures. This is not without the cultural differences of the regions as they symbolise different things in Eastern Asia as opposed to those that we know from the west, such as in games like Skyrim.

Western dragons tend to originate from the medieval period, associated with castles from that age, and tend to be integrated with royal designs and crests. In narratives, common folk tend to wish for their demise.

Eastern dragons tend to symbolise prosperity, protection and many more good omens. Like Western cultures where dragons are integrated into crests, they are also found in clothing designs, decor and flags.

I will be illustrating the dragon twice to split the aesthetic differences between the two types of dragons: Western and Eastern. This entry will cover the Western Dragon.

Sources:
Pascual R. (2009), The East and the West. Available at: https://www.deviantart.com/artstain/art/The-East-and-the-West-130414142

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