2.1. Celtic Dragons
In the Gaelic tongue, dragons are known as 'Arach', and even today, the Scottish and Irish poeple frequently refer to them as 'eels', 'worms', or 'wyrms'. The dragons of Ireland and Scotland are still very alive in local legends, and can be very lovely. Mostly, however, they are a creature that strikes fear in the hearts and minds of the countryside.
It is well-known that dragons played a large part in the lives of the Celtic people. They meant healing as well as other unknown mystical abilities. What did the ancient Celts believe about these fantastic creatures?
"The Celtic dragon represents sovereignty, power or a chief, such as 'Pendragon', the Celtic word meaning 'chief'." The Encyclopaedia of the Celts
It seems that Celtic dragons were dragons of Earth and Water. Usually, they were more serpentine, lacking legs. They were known to help with the protection of great wealth or knowledge.
Cernunnos ("The Horned One", Hu Gadarn)
Cernunnos, the god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld, had worshippers throughout Gaul and into Britain itself. The Celts called him "Hu Gadarn", and as this, he was the god of the underworld and astral planes. He was often seen in the company of multiple animals including a ram-headed dragon. This seems to be the only instance where the dragon's horns resemble a ram's.
In nearly every picture of this popular diety this peculiar horned serpent is with him. Cernunnos either wears it as a belt, or we see it gliding along beside him. Occasionally he is seen feeding two such creatures fruit. It is widely accepted that the horned serpent represents virility and renewal. This creature is obviously an Earth Spirit, as it is so closely connected to a god of the Earth.
Dragon of Connacht
A dragon that guarded a magical rowan tree which grew on an island in the center of a large lake. Though there is little to describe it, it was known to be scaled. It lived in the deep water and only attacked if humans or other seekers of it's magical tree swam into it's waters. It was killed by a Prince named Froech who had been sent after a branch of the tree it was guarding. Froech was apparently unaware of the danger in the lake, but fully aware that he would die in, or near water one day and knew that Queen Maeve, the mother of his lover, wanted him dead. He did die of the wounds from the battle with the dragon, and his young love Findabair grieved for all time. In some renditions, she died with him. This, then, is the myth of how man gained the knowledge of the rowan tree's magic. (2*)
Deerhurst Dragon
This beast is said to have poisoned the people and cattle near Deerhurst, Scotland. The king, tired of the problem, decided to issue a decree stating that the person who killed it would receive Walton Hill, an estate. A local peasant named John Smith took up his his axe and headed toward the dragon's favorite resting place. As he arrived, he saw that the dragon was asleep, and chopped it's head off. The axe used is said to still be owned by the family today.
Dundee Dragon
This dragon fested on all nine of a Scottish farmer's daughters. A young man named Martin had been courting one of the girls, and having had his sweetheart eaten upset Martin. He decided he was going to kill the dragon to avenge the girl's death. At Baldragon, he was finally able to defeat the beast. Four miles northwest of Dundee in the Bronley Burn, there is a stone named the "Martin Stone". Carved onto it is a depiction of a man attacking a dragon from horseback with a spear.
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