“Why do you like dragons so much?”
As a lifelong fantasy fan and writer who maintains a blog named after and (mostly) dedicated to dragons, I’m often asked this question. Over time, my response has become somewhat flip if not downright derisive: Why don’t you?
Seriously, dragons are awesome! Everyone should like them (except for maybe sheep, a dragon delicacy, and knights with an axe to grind — figuratively or literally).
In fact, there’s an annual day devoted to people’s respect, admiration, and love for dragons. It’s January 16 — today! — and known as Appreciate a Dragon Day. This celebration was created in 2004 by fantasy author Donita K. Paul. (Thank you!)
In recognition of today’s draconic holiday, I’ve compiled a list of Reasons Why I Like Dragons So Much. Here they are in no particular order, numbered only for readability.
Reasons Why I Like Dragons So Much
1. Dragons are Two of My Childhood Favorites Combined
Like many school aged kids, dinosaurs fascinated me. They were unlike any animals alive — some massive, some monstrous, all mysterious in the scant clues left by the ancient past. I remember pestering my parents relentlessly with the question, “Couldn’t there be just one baby dinosaur left hiding somewhere on Earth?” Surely my parents remember me asking too.
A few years later, sometime around elementary school age, I watched a movie that changed my life. My mom found me crying in the living room at the end of the film. “They … killed … God … zilla,” I sputtered between sobs. To me, Godzilla was a new and improved dinosaur. He was basically a giant T-rex that breathed (I thought at the time) lightning. Nothing could be cooler in my mind.
Nothing but dragons, that is.
Dragons, I soon discovered while playing Dungeons and Dragons, were Godzilla 2.0. They were part dinosaur, part lightning/fire-breathing monster, and they could use magic and fly. I was enthralled and have been a diehard dragon fan ever since.
2. Dragons are the Mascot of the Fantasy Genre
Many of the most beloved and successful fantasy franchises include dragons — The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and Percy Jackson among them. Similarly, the biggest fantasy-themed video games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Skyrim, and World of Warcraft include dragons, as do tabletop games such as Wyrmspan and collectible card games like Magic: The Gathering. For the most part, wherever there is magic and adventure, you will also find dragons. To borrow a sports phrase, in regards to fantasy, dragons are the face of the franchise. Everyone recognizes and is familiar with them.
3. Dragons Come in Unlimited Variety
I was first captivated by dragons because I saw them as flying, fire-breathing dinosaurs. This narrow, naïve definition, however, quickly expanded. While many dragons are dinosaur-like, and while many of them do breathe fire, not all dragons are the same. Some dragons are tiny enough to sip dewdrops from flower petals. Some don’t have wings (and yet still fly). Some are born koi fish that became dragons through their actions. Some breathe fire, others lightning, ice, venom, or even gases. The possibilities, as is said, are endless.
4. Dragons Live in the Best Locations
Where can dragons be found? Anywhere breathtaking. Dragons don’t settle for a house on a cul-de-sac or a high rise apartment with a view but no yard. Dragons live wherever they want, and they always pick the best spots. On the summit of a serene misty mountaintop? Dragon’s lair. Behind a singing crystal waterfall? Dragon’s lair. In a dormant volcano beneath a garden of colorful tropical plants? Dragon’s lair. Everywhere you wish to visit, a dragon already lives.
5. Dragons are Transcendent
Some of us are guilty of Main Character Syndrome — that is, thinking we are the star of the film of events around us. We may long to be unique, important, and greater than ourselves. While this is most often a dream and never realized, dragons live this dream.
Dragons transcend the mundane and ordinary. Sure, as fire-breathing, flying dinosaurs, they’re impressive enough. But remember, dragons are also associated with or related to greater concepts and powers. Dragons can be literal incarnations of the elements, luck, weather, transformation, and so much more. They’re everything some of us wish to be.
6. Dragons are Loyal
Many words are associated closely with dragons — treasure, magic, fire, nobility, strength, intelligence. A word that is sometimes overlooked but no less relevant is loyalty. Dragons are one of the most loyal friends a person or creature can have. This is because of their bond. While extremely rare and only given by a dragon’s free choice, the bond of a dragon is unbreakable and eternal. Falcor (The Neverending Story), Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon), and Mushu (Mulan) are paragons of companionship and dedication. When a dragon bonds with you, it lasts a lifetime. Who wouldn’t want a friend like that?
And there you have it, my abridged list of Reasons Why I Like Dragons So Much on Dragon Appreciation Day. I could easily expand it if necessary.
What reason(s) would you add to the list? Why do you like dragons so much?
