Dragons: A History of Mythology and Beliefs

Written by Johann Erickson


Continued from page 1
dragons whose whole existence was to serve and protect a kingdom, or prince, and they displayrepparttar most sterling qualities of loyalty and sacrifice.

Part ofrepparttar 135154 reason it is so hard to define what constitutes a dragon, isrepparttar 135155 wide variance in their physical images. In Eastern culturerepparttar 135156 dragon started out as an elongated, almost serpentine creature, usually, but not always showing four shortened legs, and a spaded tail. They were covered in scales, had a crest onrepparttar 135157 head, and were brightly colored in many hues. In Western culture,repparttar 135158 traditional image ofrepparttar 135159 dragon is of an almost reptilian animal, usually green, with wings like a bat, and breathing fire. Some also have feathers. Which is likely what leads to confusing dragons with gryphons (leonine inrepparttar 135160 hind quarters and raptor-like inrepparttar 135161 front quarters) andrepparttar 135162 phoenix (a mythical bird).

Asrepparttar 135163 mythology of dragons in both cultures became shared through world travel,repparttar 135164 line betweenrepparttar 135165 two images blurred, so that some Western representations, now show a definite eastern influence.

Today,repparttar 135166 popularity of science fiction, and such role-playing games as Dungeons and Dragons, means that dragon figurines are a hot commodity. From pewter or other metal game pieces, to wood carvings, Chinese jade and crystal,repparttar 135167 dragon has become a symbol of magic and mystery, a tangible piece of other worlds, that can be held in our hand, and admired forrepparttar 135168 exquisite craftsmanship put into every piece. Whether they are hand cast pottery, or hand-blown glass, dragon figurines add a splash of brilliance to a desktop, bookcase, or display pedestal, where they can rule over their kingdom.

Notable Dragons
  • The Tarasque dragon-like monster of Tarascon, France, was charmed and led back intorepparttar 135169 city by St. Martha, where he was stoned to death byrepparttar 135170 people.
  • Dragonroot, also known as Jack-in-the-pulpit. Used for medicinal purposes, but only afterrepparttar 135171 root is dried. Taken internally while fresh it causes death by gastroenteritis.
  • Leviathan, a biblical creature who has wrapped his body aroundrepparttar 135172 Earth, and holds its tail in its mouth, lestrepparttar 135173 Earth fall apart.


Johann Erickson is the owner of Online Discount Mart and TV Products 4 Less. Please include an active link to our site if you'd like to reprint this article.


How Did the Comic Book Get It's Start?

Written by Dave Gieber


Continued from page 1

So where didrepparttar actual comic book begin? Some say it was with reprints of Carl Schultz' Foxy Grandpa, from 1901 to 1905. Although others say it was Great Britain's Ally Sloper's Half Alley. In 1902, Hearst publishedrepparttar 134980 Katzenjammer Kids and Happy Hooligan in books with cardboard covers. For a time,repparttar 134981 Yellow Kid himself was a top contender. But it depends how rigid you are in your description of a comic book. These examples, for sure, were predecessors torepparttar 134982 modern comic book, which exploded inrepparttar 134983 1930's.

The Whitman Publishing Company, in 1934, became one ofrepparttar 134984 pre-launchers forrepparttar 134985 modern comic book. They published forty issues of Famous Comics, which was a black and white hardcover reprint. The first regularly published comic inrepparttar 134986 more recognizable modern format though, was Famous Funnies. It featured such memorable characters as Joe Palooka, Buck Rogers and Mutt and Jeff.

Superheroes as we know them today took a strong foothold inrepparttar 134987 1930's. In 1938, Max C. Gaines, who was one ofrepparttar 134988 comic industry giants, brought "Superman" to Dell Comics publisher, Harry Donenfield. Donenfield scoredrepparttar 134989 comic coup ofrepparttar 134990 century when he published a story written by two teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster- and so "Superman of Metropolis" (the title of their short story they wrote in their own fanzine) was born. Superman was to set a standard for comic book heroes that persist to this day.

Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet. He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his childhood passions; www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign up for my comic book ezine at www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-ezine.html


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