Friday, June 26, 2015

What is the difference between Dragons, Wyverns, Drakes, Wyrms and Jabberwocky ?

The differentiation between a dragon and a wyvern in Western mythology is that a dragon has six limbs (four legs and two wings) whereas a wyvern has four (the "front legs" are also the wings).
Types of Dragons vs Wyverns

Dragons in Skyrim are actually Wyverns, meaning that the dragonborn is actually a Wyvern born, and that the dragon language is Wyvern language, also the Wyvernborn cant absorb dragon souls, only Wyvern souls, and that the blades are not dragon hunters, but Wyvern hunters, also, Akatosh, the god of time, Its not a Dragon but a Wyvern, and that Olaf One-Eye    didnt captured a Dragon in Dragonsreach, but a Wyvern, and that the dragon bone armor its actually Wyvern Bone Armor, and that dragons have never existed in Tamriel, only Wyverns.
Bethesda, the creators of Skyrim, said that making a a six-limbed dragon would be too hard and they would only waste time trying. So instead of the coding complexity of two extra limbs, they used Wyverns.

Here is a Dragon plush toy of HookFang from How to train Your Dragon !


Smaug from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series is also a confused Dragon/Wyvern.
One particular Tolkienist had investigated the movie scenes from the Hobbit movies - "An Unexpected Journey" and "The Desolation of Smaug" and presented their analysis as follows :
My suspicions first arose when the second trailer of ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ was released in October, noticing that the last shot of Smaug throwing fire to the screen had no forelegs – unlike what we had clearly seen in the prologue to ‘An Unexpected Journey’.
Wyverns are (or were) described in Medieval literature as being these serpent-like creatures with wings, often having spiked tails and mainly used in heraldic emblems

Here's a bunch of dragon movies that you should watch !

http://johndasfundas.blogspot.com/2015/06/best-dragons-dragon-movies-and-dragons.html



What about the creatures in Game of Thrones ?

What about the Nightfury called in How to train your dragon ?

And Saphira from Eragon ?

Draco from Dragonheart ?

Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion from Game of Thrones ?

How about Dungeons and Dragons ?

And the Chinese dragons ?

Oriental (or Eastern) dragon. Depicted as a long, snake-like creature with four claws (or five for the imperial dragon), it has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art. This type of dragon, however, is sometimes depicted as a creature constructed of many animal parts. It might have the fins of some fish, or the horns of a stag.

Indian Dragon ?

A serpentine dragon common to all cultures influenced by Hinduism. They are often hooded like a cobra and may have several heads depending on their rank. They usually have no arms or legs but those with limbs resemble the Chinese dragon. Other dragons are the Vrtra the serpent dragon who is defeated by Indra the thunder god and king of heaven, and the other evil serpent in Vedic lore, Ahi (cognate with the Zoroastrian Azi Dahaka). Another dragon who appears in the Indian mythology is- the Kaliya nag, which was defeated by lord Krishna. It is said that Krishna did not kill the snake and left it. The Kaliya Nag is said to have more than 1000 fangs.

Japanese Dragon ?

Similar to Chinese dragons, with three claws instead of four. They are usually benevolent, associated with water, and may grant wishes.

WyvernWyverns are common in medieval heraldry. Their usual blazon is statant. Wyverns are normally shown as dragons with two legs and two wings.
The worm hill dragon700 AD the Anglo-Saxons settled and called it "Wruenele" this translates as "Wruen" worm, reptile or dragon and "ele" hill. According to local folklore the hill at Knotlow (Derbyshire) was the lair of a dragon and the terraces around it were made by the coils of its tail. Knotlow is an ancient volcanic vent and this may explain the myth.
The Bignor hill dragonThere is a brief mention of a Dragon on Bignor Hill south of the village of Bignor near the famous Roman Villa, apparently "A Large dragon had its den on Bignor Hill, and marks of its folds were to be seen on the hill". Similar legends have been told of ridges around other hills, such as at Wormhill in Derbyshire.
The Lambton WormThe legend says that it curled around Worm Hill near Fatfield in northeast England, would eat livestock and children, and was killed during the time of the Crusades by a Sir John Lambton.

Is Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky a dragon or wyvern or similar creature ? 
"Stanza of Anglo-Saxon Poetry"
Twas bryllyg, and ye slythy toves
Did gyre and gymble in ye wabe:
All mimsy were ye borogoves;
And ye mome raths outgrabe.


How about Pterodactyls ? They are closer to Wyverns than dragons.

Bats ? Closer to Wyverns

Loch Ness Monster ?

Charizard ?

Dragonball Z ? eh


Do you want a Dragon Sock Puppet ? Available in Amazon India online !



There are several dragons in literature : - Here are a few recent ones(from 1990s)

  • Patricia C. WredeEnchanted Forest Chronicles series (1990–1993): Various dragons.
  • Jackie French Koller, "The Dragonling" series (1990–1998): Zantor and various other dragons
  • Robert JordanThe Wheel of Time series (1990–2011): A depiction of a Chinese dragon as the sigil of the Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon.
  • Christopher RowleyBazil Broketail book series (1992–1999): Bazil Broketail and many others.
  • Bruce CovilleJeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher (1992): Tiamat.
  • Andrzej SapkowskiThe Witcher series (Sword of Destiny novel, 1992): Villentretenmerth, the golden dragon - intelligent shape-shifting creature, the only dragon among others (green, black, red and white) that can tolerate humans and even take their form. Also known as Borch in his human form.
  • Tamora Pierce, The Immortals quartet (1992–1996): Skysong, as well as Flamewing, Wingstar, Diamondflame, Icefall, Steelsings, Jadewing, Jewelclaw, Moonwind, Rainbow and Riverwind.
  • Dick King-SmithDragon Boy (1993), Albertina, Montague, and Lucky Bunsen-Burner, Gerald Fire-Drake and his family
  • R.A. SalvatoreThe Spearwielder's Tale trilogy (1993–1995): Robert (also known as Robert the Wretched), the antagonist.
  • Terry GoodkindThe Sword of Truth (1994): Scarlet, the red dragon Gregory, Scarlet's hatchling that Richard saves in Book One.
  • Bruce Coville, the series The Unicorn Chronicles (1994): Ebillan and Firethroat, dragons.
  • Daniel HoodFanuilh series of books (1994–2000): Fanuilh, a miniature dragon and familiar.
  • Harlan Ellison and Robert Silverberg, "The Dragon on the Bookshelf" (1995): Urnikh.
  • Robin HobbRealm of the Elderlings series (1995): dragons and humans coexisted in the distant past. Their essences became mixed in some cases, producing scaled humans referred to as Elderlings, or small, rubbery-skinned dragons, called "Others" and treated as abominations. Humans carved living dragon statues out of special living stone; these statues were later used as a weapon against the Outislanders by King Verity Farseer of the Six Duchies.
    • Hobb's dragons would begin life as sea serpents, who would swim upriver to a special beach where they would cocoon themselves and hatch as dragons the next year. After a natural disaster changed the shape of the land, the serpents could no longer find their cocooning grounds and remained in the sea, as the cataclysm wiped out all but two of the dragons.
  • Graham Edwards, the Ultimate Dragon Saga trilogy (1995–1997): Cumber, Fortune, Wraith and many other dragon characters.
  • Frank E. PerettiThe Oath (1995): Giant, silver, unnamed dragon; a pact was made with this demonic creature by the citizens of a mining town in the northwest
  • George R. R. MartinA Song of Ice and Fire series (1996–present), and the CCG based on the books: Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal, the dragons hatched by Daenerys Targaryen. Also, Balerion the Black Dread, Meraxes and Vhaghar, ridden by Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters in the conquest of Westeros.
  • Cornelia FunkeDragon Rider (1997): Firedrake, Slatebeard, Maia, Shimmertail and several unnamed dragons. The cannibal Nettlebrand from the same book may also be considered a dragon due to his appearance.
  • Elizabeth KernerSong in the Silence (1997): the Kantri, a society of telepathic dragons, including Akhor, the king; Shikrar, his soulfriend; Kedra and Mirazhe, the first new parents in centuries, and Idai, and old and wise admirer of Akhor.
  • J. K. Rowling, "Harry Potter" series (1997–2007): Various dragons (including Norwegian Ridgebacks, Hungarian Horntails, Swedish Short-Snouts, Common Welsh Greens, Hebridean Blacks, and a Chinese Fireball - see magical creatures in Harry Potter). Dragons are mentioned throughout the Harry Potter books and a baby dragon appears in the first installment and dragons later play a significant role in the fourth and seventh. They are portrayed as having strong magic (even in their blood), but they do not exhibit any hints of intelligence or self-awareness. Within the series, dragons are considered very dangerous by most characters (Rubeus Hagrid being a notable exception) and private ownership of dragons is illegal.
  • T. A. BarronThe Fires of Merlin (1998), The Mirror of Merlin, and The Wings of Merlin: Valdearg the Wings of Fire and his daughter Gwynnia (named after Tiamat).
  • Anne BishopBlack Jewels Trilogy (1998): Lorn, Prince of Dragons and Keeper of the Knowledge of the Blood, Race that created the Race of the Blood and Bestower of the Blood Jewels.
  • Joanne BertinDragon and Phoenix (1999): Kelder Orolin, Linden Rathan and other dragonlords (or weredragons) in The Last Dragonlord (1998) and Minue (a water dragon).
  • Christopher GoldenStrangewood (1999): Fiddlestick, a small musically emotive dragon.
  • James Clemens, the series The Banned and the Banished (1999): Various dragons:
    • Ragnar'k, the stone dragon of A'loa Glen
    • Conch and others, seadragons bonded to the Mer'ai
  • Steven Erikson, the Malazan Book of the Fallen series (1999–present): Soletaken and Warren-ruling dragons.
  • Harry TurtledoveDarkness series (1999): in this magical analogue of the Second World War, the dragons are beasts, highly pugnacious and under complete human control. In the storyline they are the analogue of fighter planes and dragon riders are obviously intended to represent fighter pilots of the Luftwaffe and the RAF.
  • Jeffrey A. Carver, science fiction novels set in the Star Rigger UniverseDragons in the Stars (1992) and Dragon Rigger (1993); dragons live in the hyperdimensional "Flux" of interstellar space.
  • Chris d'Lacey, "The Last Dragon Chronicles" series, starting with The Fire Within (2001): Gadzooks, G'reth, Gretel, Gawain, and other dragons. These dragons are made of clay and brought to life by the fire/essence (known as the "auma") of one of Earth's last true Dragons, called Gawain. It is possible that Gawain's line might rise to full draconicity as a result of the actions taken by the student David Rain, his girlfriend the sibyl Zanna, the clayworkers Liz and Lucy Pennykettle, scientist Anders Bergstrom, and the witch Gwillanna.
  • Cressida CowellHow to Train Your Dragon series (2003)
  • Emily RoddaDeltora Quest's third installment (2000–2004): Dragons are portrayed as very intelligent and proud; as being divided into seven distinct tribes; as having the capacity to reproduce by parthenogenesis; and as each having a virtue to which it adheres, such as Strength, Honor, Luck, Faith, Hope, Joy, and Truth.
  • Emily RoddaDeltora Quest 3 (2000–2004): The various Gem Dragons.
  • Neal Asher, several books (e.g., Gridlinked, 2001): The entity Dragon.
  • Robin HobbThe Tawny Man trilogy (2002–2003): Icefyre and Tintaglia, the last remaining dragons; and The Rain Wild Chronicles (2009-2013): Various dragons
  • Christopher PaoliniThe Inheritance Cycle (2002-2011):
  • Robin Wayne BaileyDragonkin series (2003): The dragons of Wyvernwood.
  • Margaret WeisDragonvarld trilogy (2003–2005): Maristara, an evil black dragon; Braun, her grandson; Draconas, the walker, a dragon in human form; and various other dragons.
  • Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly BlackThe Spiderwick Chronicles (2003–2004) and Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles (2007–2009):
    • In The Spiderwick Chronicles serial (2003–2004), Book Five, The Wrath of Mulgarath: The snake-like poisonous dragons raised by the ogre Mulgarath as his weapons of mass destruction. Mentioned as the European Wyrm variety.
    • In Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles serial (2007–2009), Book Three, The Wyrm King: A Hydra, a dragon or snake-like creature with multiple heads and gills appears, called the Wyrm King.
  • Mercedes Lackey, the Dragon Jousters series (2003–2006): Avatre and several others.
  • Mercedes Lackey and James MalloryThe Obsidian Trilogy (2003–2006): Ancalader, the dragon bonded to Jermayan.
  • Keith Baker, world of Eberron (2004):
    • Eberron, one of the progenitor dragons. Eberron's bones compose the world.
    • Khyber, one of the progenitor dragons. Khyber rules the underworld and his children are the demons and monsters of the world.
    • Siberys, one of the progenitor dragons. Siberys is the "Dragon Above", his remnants compose the Ring of Siberys, a golden ring of crystal-like shards that glitters in the night sky.
  • Bryan Davis, Dragons in Our Midst series (2004): Clefspeare, Hartanna, Firedda and others.
  • Christopher PikeAlosha series (2004): Dragons also start life as legless, wingless, tailless, and without fire; in this form, they are known as Kouls. Later in life, a Koul develops legs, a tail, wings, and fiery breath. To do this, a Koul must risk its life for protection of others, learn to swim, and take a literal "leap of faith" from a high place.
  • Donita K. PaulDragonkeeper Chronicles (2004–2008): Celisse, Metta, Gymn, Greer and others.
  • E. E. Knight, the Age of Fire series (2005): Auron (later AuRon), the gray, scaleless dragon. Also included are Natasatch (his mate), Irelia (his green mother), AuRel (his bronze father), Jizara (green sister), Wistala (green sister), NooMoahk (black dragon), Rugaard (copper dragon), and many others.
  • Gareth P. JonesDragon Detective Agency (2006): Dirk Dilly.
  • Naomi NovikTemeraire series (2006): Temeraire and the other dragons of the Napoleonic Wars.
  • James A. OwenThe Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series (Here, There Be Dragons, 2006): Samaranth, an Eastern-type dragon who offers guidance to the main characters. Also various other dragons.
  • Dave FreerDragon's Ring (2009): Fionn, a black dragon who plans to destroy Tasmarin.
  • Rick Riordan: Percy Jackson, Sea of Monsters: The dragon Peleus guards the Golden Fleece at Camp-Half Blood. Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse the dragon Ladon guards the apples of the Hesperides.
  • Stephen DeasMemory of Flames series, centered around a world inhabited by dragons, which are ridden by knights. Plot centers around their re-awakening consciousness.
  • Marie BrennanLady Trent series, Lady Trent's memoirs on how she first started studying dragons in a victorianesque world...
  • Laurence Yep & Joanne Ryder, A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is told from the point of view of a dragon named Miss Drake.

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Summary of what Wyverns are compared to dragons :
  1. Wyverns are depicted to be less poisonous they are sometimes believed to be able to breathe poison through their mouth. Dragons on the other hand are known have a fervent breath as one of their strongest and most dreaded weapon.
  2. Wyverns are collectively perceived as ferocious creatures with a repellent temperament whereas dragons are accepted in certain cultures as creatures of good luck especially in Chinese folklore.
  3. Physically wyverns are known to be smaller, lighter and generally weaker than their cousins the dragons. Dragons are depicted as able to speak and are capable of some compelling speech. They are also intellectually bright creatures. However their kin the wyverns are less open to speech, preferring to stay silent most of the time.
  4. Although both creatures are habitants in wild lands where humans rarely settle, dragons will generally prefer to settle underground, creating their lair on a high dry country for a cave. Wyverns meanwhile will prefer to create their lair in lowly water bed areas like swampy places or areas around lakes or pools.
  5. All in all, as both creatures are just mythical and mainly symbolic in different folklore, the dragon has been the most prevailing in all folklore and fauna.

If you are from India, here is a Plush Toy of Toothless from HTTYD !

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