AboutTed Nesbitt Expertise I can answer questions related to classical Greek and Roman mythologies, as well as the myths and folklore of other regions [Norse, Egyptian, Mayan, Incan, etc.]
Experience I am a reference librarian at a four-year liberal arts college. For the last ten years, I have been an Allexpert volunteer in the areas of grammar and writing, poetry, literature, etymology, and politics.
Education/Credentials Master's degrees in philosophy, English, and library/information sciences.
Question I have been scouring the internet for information on Arab mythology; specifically Lebanese and Syrian in the hopes of finding images of dragons. They say that dragons appear in every culture, but I have not found an Arab dragon. I have found Egyptian, but that is closest I've come. I am part Lebanese and am designing a tattoo featuring twin dragons, but I wanted them to have something to do with my heritage. I hope you can assist me in this quest.
Thanks.
Answer Dear Anna:
Because the Greek, Roman, and Norse mythologies have been so popular, the mythologies of other countries or regions are difficult to find.
They do appear in Persian myths. There is an Arab dragon, who was called "Simorgh."
This site, from California Polytechnic Institute in Pomona, California, has the history of the "dragon king." This "dragon" is not specifically Syrian or Lebanese, however. Notice in the passage that I am quoting that "an army of Iranians and Arabs and other champions from different lands" honored the dragon king. There is a possibility that Syria and/or Lebanon were included in these "different lands."
The dragon king came swift as the wind to Iran and placed a crown on his head. Then he assembled an army of Iranians and Arabs and other champions from different lands, and went to Takht-e Jamshid [the "Throne of Jamshid," capital of the land]. There he put on the universe like a ring on his hand. Jamshid's fortune was going badly, and the new king harassed him sorely. Finally, Jamshid went to Zahak and handed over to him the throne and the crown, greatness and treasure and army.
I have prepared a number of "Internet Resource Guides," the best and most reliable free resources on the internet. I have made a collection of mythology sites.
The well known Lebanese Myth states that a ferocious dragon blockaded the people of Beirut city and as the price of sparing them, he forced their king to present him daily children sacrifices. The short sighted King accepted the Dragon's condition under the false believe that he, his family and the royal community shall be safe. He started supplying the children of his community as sacrifices for the dragon till all his kingdom's children had disappeared. Finally the king was forced to surrender his own daughter as the sacrificial lamb. the Myth goes on to say that Saint Georges saved the king's daughter and eliminated the Dragon who would have devoured all the city's citizens.
***** You can also use a Google Images search -- click on the word "images" at the top of the Google screen. I cannot, however, verify how factual these images are.
I typed the name of the dragon I mentioned at the beginnins of this message -- Simorgh -- and I got many images of the dragon. It is also depicted as a bird. However, I cannot read the Arabic writing that goes with many of the images.
FINALLY, get to your local public or college library. Hopefully, you will find many illustrated books about dragons.
I hope I have given you enough information -- well, it has taken me over an hour to answer your question -- so that you can continue your search in a more focused manner.
Good luck. I'm sure there is an Arabian dragon out there.
