[December 19, 2019] Fairy tales from ancient times often depict dragons as purveyors of violence and evil. These dragons are metaphors about our lives where people struggle for their existence and the hardships they endure. In these stories, an influential leader (often a King, prince, or knight) will slay the dragon; else great destruction will descend upon the land.1
Western art is replete with images of a prince or knight killing the dragon. Our literature and fairy tales are full of stories of dragons. Each plays a part in enhancing the symbology of the struggles of humans and often the extraordinary bravery required to kill the dragon that endangers the community.
“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” – G.K. Chesterton, English writer and philosopher
This quote by G.K. Chesterton is unusual in that it unexpectedly confronts us with the truth. Dragons do exist, metaphorically, of course, and children appear to know they exist. Telling stories about the destruction of those dragons is a tale that is as old as humans have walked the Earth. Those stories help us come to grip with difficulties in life.
In Western cultures, dragon symbolism has evolved to represent goodness as well as wicked forces. Christianity made dragons and other serpents into symbols of sin and corruption. Early European folklore also places dragons in villainous roles, depicting them as evil, greedy, destructive and secretive creatures that righteous heroes must slay.2
Parents, teachers, coaches, and religious leaders are responsible for the raising of children to become active and independent individuals. They consciously expose them to more significant difficulties to strengthen their resilience so that unexpected tragedy can be met with strength rather than with fear. The hero that fights the dragon is what we look to copy.
Strength is good. Weakness risks destruction. The message is clear from the time we hear our mother’s first words, be strong, be brave, be good, and don’t let the dragon get you.
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- Eastern European versions view dragons differently, as benevolent, lucky, and wise. Asian cultures worship dragons as spiritual symbols of nature, balance, eternity, and metamorphosis. However, all cultures have villains and those are mostly the same as the Western dragon.
- https://www.reference.com/world-view/dragon-symbolize-84821cce401bde4b
How very interesting. I couldn’t make a comment yesterday because my computer crashed. Got a new laptop at Best Buy. Works great. Good to be back on the Gen. Satterfield leadership blog website. Thanks all.
Good to have you back Jane. Yes, this article is very interesting and for a number of reasons. First however is the fact that it shows us the importance of fairy tales and stories of the past. They resonate with us and proof is in any movie, book, or article that parallels those same themes. Just look at Disney movies as great examples. Hey folks, Christmas is coming up next week. I’ll be wishing everyone all the best with you and your families.
Jane, thanks and welcome back.
With Christmas approaching, my wife and I have gotten a number of holiday cards wishing us a “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.” One of them actually had on the front of it St. George slaying the dragon. I found it odd but now I understand the metaphor better. Watch out for evil and for those things that pull us down.
Right Dennis. This might be lost on so many of our younger people and, as such, we should take the time to explain it to them.
I once thought college snowflakes were the problem but now I’m beginning to think it’s something else. What could it be that allows so many people to think that words equal violence and that ‘word violence’ can legitimately be met with real violence?
Eric, this is an important point.
Excellent article today and one that pushed me to think a little more about those fairy tales my parents read to me. Good that you are hitting us on the head to get our heads to think more clearly.
Wow! Nice article. Plenty of metaphors!
Yes, loving Gen. Satterfield and his way of thinking.
I do think that Gen. Satterfield is becoming a philosopher without his knowing it. This article is attempting to get at the core of human understanding and what does and does not motivate us to do goo things. “Don’t let the dragons get you.”