Heraldry of the Dragon:

You'll find a dragon or two in just about any world culture. However, not all of them fly,
breath fire, or have an attitude. What dragons look like and what they can do depends on
their country or area of origin. However, one thing that almost all dragons have in
common is their legendary reptilian physique.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that dragons knew the earth's secrets and
endowed them with many protective and fearsome qualities. Their respect and
admiration of the dragon led the Roman soldiers of the first century, C.E. to etch and draw
dragon images on their battle standards. Carried forth through medieval times, the dragon
remains a heraldic symbol, used both in battle and on many family crests. The flag of
Wales still bears the symbol of a red dragon.

Although many different dragon symbols are used in heraldry, the two most popular types
are the Wyvern and the Hydra. Of the two, the Wyvern is the most common dragon
depicted in heraldry. He's a ferocious looking scaly creature with bat-like wings, a spiked
back, a long whip-like tail, and he often breathes fire. The Hydra differs from the Wyvern
in that it usually has at least two heads, most commonly five. Another difference is that,
like most birds, the Hydra is a four taloned creature instead of five-toed (and taloned) like
the Wyvern.
The heraldic dragon varies greatly especially in the shape of its ears, however, the wings
are always those of a bat. The tongue and tail can often be barbed and breathes out fire, it
is also a symbol of power, wisdom and one who has overcome an adversary. The heraldic
dragon has a body covered with plates and scales and is of reptilian nature along with a
row of formidable spines extending from head to tail. The fearsome creature also has a
dangerous spike on his nose, a forked tongue and eagle's feet.

You can find the dragon in some English fairy-tales and church carvings. The Celtic dragon
also represents sovereignty, power or as Pendragon, the Celtic word meaning 'chief'. The
Welsh dragon was used in the Royal Arms in the sixteenth century. The Red Dragon of
Cadwallader is the emblem of Wales; the Red Dragon Dreadful' and it was blazed on King
Arthur's helmet in battle.

The dragon has been depicted on the Welsh banner since at least the departure of the
Roman legions and is the official emblem of Wales and was derived from the Great Red
Serpent that once represented the old Welsh god Dewi. In 1901 Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II also approved that 'the existing red dragon badge, which was appointed as a
Royal Badge for Wales over one-hundred-and-fifty years ago, should be honourably
augmented by enclosing it in a scroll carrying the words Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY
CYCHWYN (roughly translated means the Red Dragon inspires action'.) This motto was is in
green lettering on a white background and surmounting it a Royal Crown. The Dragon
officially became the symbol of Wales in 1959.

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