If dragons are mythical creatures who never really existed, why is it that cultures from all over the world all have ancient stories about dragons and other huge flying serpents? Why would people who couldn't possibly have known about each other invent the same creature?

In art class we watch a DVD where paleontologists say that the reason dragon stories from all over the world are similar could be that people would dig up dinosaur bones and make up stories about the creatures, not knowing that the creatures who left the bones were long extinct. The movie tells dragon stories from around the world, such as the Greek stories of Jason and the dragon and Hercules and the Hydra. The Sumerians invented writing, and one of the first stories ever written was about Marduk, who slew a dragon named Tiamat. The Mesopotamian Ishtar Gate in what is now Iraq features a dragon with a long neck and scales. The oldest civilization in Mexico, the Olmec, left behind a carved jade dragon spoon and a rock carving of a shaman with a dragon. The Mayan pyramid of Kulkulkan at Chichen Itza, Mexico, features a giant dragon head. The Mexican plumed serpent, Quetzacoatl, may have influenced Native Americans in what is now the western U.S.A. Native American dances and stories featured powerful feathered serpents.

In ancient China, people believed if the dragons were happy, they brought rain when it was needed. If they were angry, they could make floods or hurricanes. The Dragon Dance was performed at New Years celebrations to make sure the dragons were happy enough to make it rain for the crops during the coming year. Dragons have been an important part of Chinese culture for thousands of years, and there are more dinosaur bones in China than any other place on earth. The oldest dragon image ever found is a jade "pig dragon" from China that is 5000 years old.

Dragons from Western countries (England) have wings, breathe fire, and are often evil. Eastern dragons are good, wise, kind, brave, smart, and beautiful. They symbolize excellence and power. Eastern dragons stand for good luck and wealth. They help people who are in trouble. Even though most of them don't have wings, they can fly because they have a magic pearl, or sometimes a magic baton.

Korean dragons have four toes and are carved on temples to protect against evil. Japanese dragons have three toes and are seen in Buddhist temples to keep away evil spirits.

Ms. Mo created posters describing dragon legends from many different countries all over the world, such as the African story of Aido Hwedo, a rainbow serpent who holds up the world so it won't fall over. The Ghilen is a dragon-like creature which decorates many palaces and temples in Thailand. River dragons, called nagas, are important in Laos and India. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, has a bridge with 4 dragon statues who protect the city.

in Ohio, Serpent Mound in Adams County is the largest effigy earthwork in the world. It resembles a giant serpent eating an egg and it lines up wtih the summer solstice sunset and the winter solstice sunrise. The Cincinnati Art Museum has several dragons in their permanent collection, so even Ohio has dragons!

In art class, we make our own dragons out of textured paper, which is called a "collage." We write a sentence or two describing our dragons using adjectives! The dragon project takes five weeks from start to finish.

We do the Dragon Dance at Mason Intermediate to celebrate Chinese New Year.