Can You Slay a Dragon?

Grew up believing dragons were real. 

“They are the deadliest and most dangerous of all animals,” I used to tell my classmates and friends.

Of course I soon found out that dragons are nothing but creatures of myths, tales, and legends.

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Almost all young children have heard stories of dragons. I know you have.

One of the dragon stories that I loved is a very old one, dating back to the Middle Ages. 

It is about a knight, later called St. George, who rescued a princess from a dragon. In return, he was able to baptize the pagans (people who have no God) to Christianity.

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This is how the story goes:

Every year, a maiden (or a young lady) was sacrificed to this scary, ferocious dragon to appease it. One particular year, the princess of the kingdom was going to be sacrificed. St. George heard about it and decided to rescue her.

Using his sword, Ascalon, he was able to stab the dragon and later slay him. The beautiful ending is of course, everyone in the kingdom was so grateful and impressed, they began to believe in the God of brave St. George.

The story of St. George and the Dragon has been told for centuries and the event was even painted by the great artist Raphael.

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Dragons vary in looks. Some dragons have three toes, some have four, and some have five. Some look like huge lizards and some have snake-like forms.

But everyone is agreed that the idea of dragons dates back to ancient times. People have unearthed through the years many dragon forms on old potteries and prehistoric art. Nearly every culture has a dragon in its literature.  

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People have been debating for years how dragons came about.

Some say they are nothing but images in people’s minds. 

Some say that early people encountered dinosaurs and huge animals like behemoths in the Bible, and passed down the memory of these encounters in tales of dragons.

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Whatever it is, the fact remains that this year is what the Chinese call the year of the Dragon—the symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power. This oriental dragon is regarded as a divine beast, the opposite of the dragon that St. George slayed.

Many people likewise say that the dragon is a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, people born in dragon years are to be honored and respected.

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Different people all over the world differ in beliefs. I, for one, since discovering that dragons are simply characters in passed-on stories through the years, have stopped believing in their power.

I believe, as many of you do, that power can only come from one God, whose birthday we celebrated on Christmas. 

A dragon today also symbolizes something that weighs you down—like a big problem or worry. But the good news is, like St. George, you can slay it! After it is slain, like all mortals on earth, it is gone forever.

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A question for you this year 2012 then: Can you slay a dragon? Please visit my website: http://leavesofgrace.blogspot.com or email me at: [email protected].