“Dragon Worship” explores the widespread reverence for dragons throughout history and across diverse cultures. From the benevolent, water-controlling dragons of East Asia to the fearsome wyrms of Europe, these mythical creatures have profoundly influenced human belief systems and cultural practices.
The book argues that the veneration of dragons stems from a universal human impulse to understand and interact with forces beyond our control. Dragons embody both our deepest fears and our highest aspirations, acting as conduits for this interaction.
The book examines dragon veneration in ancient China, where dragons symbolized imperial power and cosmic harmony, contrasting this with their often malevolent portrayal in Western Christian traditions. It analyzes how cultures have used the symbol of the dragon to define their relationship to the natural world and to each other.
Beginning with an overview of dragon archetypes, it progresses through specific cultural expressions of dragon worship, focusing on regions like ancient China, pre-Christian Europe, and select indigenous cultures of the Americas, culminating in an examination of how these ancient traditions have evolved into modern times, and the enduring appeal of dragons in contemporary popular culture.
