In modern times, the idea of what a dragon looks like has become increasingly stereotypical: reptilian, two bat-like wings, four legs, long neck and tail, tail spade, breaths fire, hoards treasure and is often green. This was not always the case. Ancient dragons were very diverse in form and behavior. This diversity makes it difficult to write a definition of what a dragon is. Dictionary definitions are fairly accurate, but give no clue about whether a creature lacking all of the traits a dragon 'usually' has could still be a dragon. They also do not include how to tell a dragon apart from another creature which has some of these traits.
One answer would be to say that a dragon is any monster which is claimed to be a dragon by the tellers of the myth. There is a big language problem with this approach. In many cultures dragons have a close affinity with some other species. The dividing line between snakes and dragons is particularly small in many cultures. Some serpentine dragons look like giant snakes and have some snake-like attributes (such as spitting poison). This similarity is reflected in language: often one word can be used to describe a snake or a dragon.
The word confusion does not end at snakes. Among the Polynesians, Mo'o or Moko means a lizard of some type. From language alone the moko of a legend could just as easily be a fearsome dragon, or a cute little gecko. Some cultures call many flying animals birds, including the dragon-like ones.
Probably the most accurate way of deciding what is a dragon is to compare the creature with other dragons. There are a number of traits that many dragons possess and a number of themes which appear time and again in legends. If a creature shares a fair number of these traits and themes, there is a good chance it is a dragon. Below is a checklist of traits which many dragons share. A dragon does not need all (or even most) of these traits to be a dragon.
These are some of the most common traits among dragons. All of these appear in numerous cultures. It is unlikely to find a dragon which does not have at least one of these traits:
Reptilian: Could be appearance or behaviour. Scales are common.
Fire: Breathing or spitting fire.
Venomous: Examples are poisonous blood, breath or bite.
Water: Living in water or being associated with water.
Weather: Having control over some aspect of the weather (particularly storms, rain, wind and floods).
Flight: Being able to fly (not necessarily by having wings).
Guarding Something: Often treasure or knowledge, but it could be a city, maiden or some other resource.
Magical/Supernatural Powers: Sometimes these are powers displayed by the live dragons and sometimes magical properties of dead parts of the dragon.
Bird Talons: Raptor-like talons on the feet.
Less Widespread Common Traits:
Other Bird Traits: Most commonly feathers.
Transformation: Ability to turn into another type of animal (including human).
Power: Holding a position of power (such as a being a god, or close servant of the gods).
Healing: Some dragons have remarkable self-healing powers, able to heal quickly during fights and possibly grow back body parts.
Common Story Themes
A basic list of story themes can be a useful tool for deciding if a myth is genuinely a dragon myth. It is difficult to summarise the themes of dragon myths concisely. There are many themes and variations. These themes are also not exclusive to dragons. Despite the problems, this list does give another starting point for making a decision.
Dragon controls the weather
Causes rainfall or storms
Causes floods
Creates lightning
Dragon lives in water
Dragon home is a lake, river, well or ocean
Dragon rises up from the water to attack the local area
Dragon causes havoc
Hero fights the dragon
Hero makes parts of the universe from the dragon body
Dragon given offerings
Maidens
Food
Dragon marries a human
Marrying the daughter of a Dragon King
Dragon marries/intends to marry the maiden sacrifice
People or nation are descended from a dragon
Dragon guards treasure
Protects hoard or special items from humans
Protects home, palace or temple
Dragon grants a gift in return for goods or services
Offering gold
Offering special powers
Offering daughter in marraige
What a Dragon is Not
Another important point when deciding what is and is not a dragon, is to beware modern stereotypes. There are many generalisations and stereotypes which are taken to be true of all dragons. They are not. Below are a few of these stereotypes and generalisations. If you are discounting a creature as a dragon because it lacks these, then it is a good idea to think again:
Stereotype 1 - Western dragons are evil and Eastern dragons are good: There is a general trend for eastern dragons to be more benevolent than their western counterparts. Even so, Eastern dragons are capable of causing total havoc and destruction (and did on many occasions). There are also Western dragons who are kindly towards local humans. For example, there are numerous helpful household dragons in the West.
Stereotype 2 - Dragons must have legs and wings: Many of the European dragons had no limbs, such as some of the worms and the Midgard Serpent. Some dragons are sometimes shown with legs, and sometimes without, such as Ouroboros.
Stereotype 3 - Dragons must be intelligent: There are many dragons who talk in legends. However, this is not true of all of them. Some of the polynesian Taniwha show remarkable strength but not a whole lot of thinking power. The apocryphal dragon in 'Bel and the Dragon' shows no signs of great intelligence. It eats what humans give it, does not talk and does not have the intelligence to see the threat which kills it.
Stereotype 4 - Mythological dragons are large: Contrary to popular belief, it was not roleplaying games like AD&D that created the fairy dragon. Various forms of fairy dragon, and draconic household spirits, appear in folklore. In general they are very small. Much smaller than a human.
Conclusion
Defining dragons is a very complex subject and cannot be done with a few sentences. Even a more elaborate definition, such as this one, will have problems classifying some creatures.
Some myths have several versions of the story. A creature might seem more dragon-like in one version than another. All of the versions may be authentic, causing confusion about exactly where the creature should be classified.
The line between dragons and non-dragons is easily blurred. Deciding whether a creature is a dragon can be made easier by comparing it to known dragons. This will never remove the affect of personal opinion in these judgments, but it does at least provide a basic method for making the decisions.
Further Reading in The Dragon Stone
1 - Dragon Dictionary Definitions
2 - European Dragons - The Midgard Serpent (Jormungand)
3 - European Dragons - Lambton Worm
4 - Oceanian Dragons - Moko
5 - African Dragons - Anzu
6 - North American Dragons - Piasa
7 - Asian Dragons - Dragon Kings
8 - European Dragons - Fafnir
9 - African Dragons - Bida
10 - African Dragons - Musrussu
11 - Asian Dragons - O Goncho
12 - European Dragons - Lernaean Hydra
14 - European Dragons - Tarasque
15 - African Dragons - Tiamat
16 - Asian Dragons - Vietnamese Dragon King
17 - African Dragons - Hydra (African)
18 - Asian Dragons - Nagas (Cambodia)
19 - North American Dragons - Sisiutl
20 - South American Dragons - Quetzalcoatl
21 - European Dragons - Mlokoky Smij; Zitny Smij
22 - Alchemy - Uroboros
23 - European Dragons - Knucker
24 - Oceanian Dragons - Taniwha
25 - Dragon and Serpent Apocrypha Quotations - Daniel, Bel and the Snake
26 - European Dragons - Mlokoky Smij; Penezny Smij; Puk; Zitny Smij
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