How the Legend of Dragons Began
Dragons!! Fire-breathing, winged beasts appear in stories from around the world, even though they never existed. So, where did this myth come from?
To explore this question, we turn to a fascinating study titled “Drawing New Boundaries: Finding the Origins of Dragons in Carboniferous Plant Fossils” [1]. The researchers behind this paper propose a surprising idea: that dragon myths may have been inspired not by animals, but by ancient plant fossils.
Where do the Myths Come From?
The study points out that many mythical creatures have possible roots in misunderstood medical conditions or rare mutations [1]. For instance:
· Werewolves are thought to be inspired by those with hypertrichosis, a genetic disorder that causes excessive hair growth [1].
· Mermaids might stem from sightings of individuals with sirenomelia, a condition where the legs are fused [1].
· Unicorns could be traced back to horned animals born with a rare mutation that produces a single horn [1].
These connections, while not proven, suggest that real-world observations often get woven into myth. And the same may be true for dragons.
Not Dinosaurs, But Plants!
Many assumed that dinosaur fossils influenced dragon legends. But this paper offers an alternative, fossilised plants. Specifically, the fossilised remains of a prehistoric plant called Lepidodendron, which lived over 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous period [1]. These towering trees had trunks covered in diamond-shaped patterns and massive root systems that spread out like tentacles [1]. As the tree grew and shed leaves, it resulted in a pattern that looked strangely reptilian [1]. These physical traits could easily be mistaken for the skeleton of a serpent or monster [1].
While dinosaur fossils might seem like a more obvious candidate for dragon myths, the paper notes a major issue. Back then, people wouldn’t have found large, intact fossils often enough to create consistent stories [1]. The paper does not elaborate on why this would be the case, but it makes the case that plant fossils were more common, more complete, and easier to misinterpret.
What People See in the Fossils
To test this idea, the researchers showed images of Lepidodendron fossils to adults with some college education [1]. Participants said they looked like [1]:
- Dragons
- Reptiles
- Snakes or serpents
- Volcanoes
- Lava or fire
- Fish
These answers highlight how easily fossils can spark the imagination. If modern adults associate these shapes with dragons or serpents, it’s easy to imagine people in the past doing the same [1].
Worldwide Legend
Lepidodendron fossils are found across the world. This helps explain why dragon myths occur in so many unconnected cultures [1]. Fossil sites include [1]:
- The British Isles
- North America
- Europe and Scandinavia
- Asia
- Australia
In coal-rich parts of Europe, these plant fossils were quite common [1]. Historical records indicate that people once believed they had discovered dragon bones [1]. Some of these fossils were even displayed in museums or private collections as “dragon remains” [1].
That said, the dragon myth doesn’t always fit the plant-fossil theory. In places like South America and New Zealand, where Lepidodendron fossils are buried much deeper or not found at all, dragon-like creatures such as the Rainbow Serpent or Taniwha may have evolved from different origins, perhaps based on reptile sightings or other cultural influences [1].
Still, in countries like the UK, the connection between plant fossils and dragon stories is unusually strong.
And That’s How it Started.
What was once thought to be the skeleton of a beast from a hidden world turns out to be a relic of Earth’s primaeval forests, a fossilised whisper from a long-lost world.
Check out our article “Biology of a Real Dragon,” and subscribe or become a member to get the latest content delivered to you throughout the week.
References
Reference paper “Drawing New Boundaries: Finding the Origins of Dragons in Carboniferous Plant Fossils”