Synopsis
How a myth becomes meaning: the dragon’s journey through religion, life, and lore. This book traces how dragon myths shift from concrete life-giving power to symbols of danger, shaping beliefs across cultures and ages.
From ancient ritual to modern speculation, the work examines how early ideas about life, death, and salvation fed the image of the dragon. It explores how religious thought and mythified science interweave, turning vivid stories into enduring symbols. Readers will see how figures like Hathor, Horus, and Osiris are linked to dragons, rain, and the elu- xir of life, and how these tales reflect human attempts to master fate.
The discussion uses comparative myth and historical context to illuminate why such legends endure. It highlights how perceptions of the divine, the sky, and the cycle of life influence storytelling about dragons and their power to affect the living world.
- How life-bringing forces become dragon symbols across cultures
- Connections between myth, religion, and early science in shaping beliefs
- Evolution of key deities and their roles in stories of life and destruction
- A cross-cultural look at rain gods, ritual blood, and rebirth myths
Ideal for readers of myth and religious history who want a clear, carefully argued view of how legends reflect human needs and knowledge.
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About the Author
Sir Grafton Elliot Smith (15 August 1871 – 1 January 1937) was an Australian-British anatomist and a proponent of the hyperdiffusionist view of prehistory (a hypothesis stating that one civilization or people is the creator of all logical and great things which are then diffused to less civilized nations).
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The Evolution of the Dragon (Classic Reprint)
Print on DemandSeller: Forgotten Books, London, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: New. Print on Demand. This book explores the evolution of the dragon as a transcultural mythological figure, analyzing its complex history and cross-cultural influences. The author traces the intricate connections between the concept of the dragon and water, rain gods, and notions of life and death, illuminating the role of the dragon in shaping human beliefs and practices. The book delves into the origins of incense and libations, revealing their profound significance in early religious rituals and their association with the dragon's symbolism of water and vitality. By examining the interplay of mythology, biology, and ritual, this book provides a fresh perspective on the dragon's enduring presence in human imagination, shedding light on its deep-rooted connections to our collective psyche. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item. Seller Inventory # 9781440054853_0
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The Evolution of the Dragon Classic Reprint
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781440054853
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The Evolution of the Dragon Classic Reprint
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781440054853
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