Dragon Antique Walking Canes

In both the East and West, dragons are a symbol of power. A wizard who can control a dragon or a warrior who can conquer this great creature will command the power of his world. It is sometimes the evil power, other times a protector's. Hence it is a really popular theme for men's canes. With an antique dragon walking cane, you can hold that power in your hand, and it is very suitable as a gentleman's fashion accessory.

Although many dragon legends are found all over Europe, several of the most famous ones are from the British Isles, and some cane-makers created beautiful cane handles after these dragons. Here are some of the most famous "named" dragons that are currently available as canes:

St. George's Dragon

One of the most popular dragons is St. George's. It appears in many art forms, including the walking canes. There are several different versions of St. George's dragon stories, but the most famous one is of the dragon attacking the city of Selene in Libya. This dragon demanded a child each day for its meal, and one day the king's daughter was chosen for the sacrifice. Just as the dragon was about to eat her up, a European knight came to rescue her. After a long fierce fight, the knight finally killed the dragon, and freed the city. People were so grateful that they converted to Christianity under St. George.

In the old English legend of St. George, the dragon named Dadianus is an evil sorcerer who can change himself into a serpent. St. George trapped the evil spirit of Dadianus in the walking cane he carries for eternity to commemorate the victory of good over evil.

There are a few different artistic representations of St. George's dragon, but the dragon wrapping around the cane is most popular.

Lambton Dragon

Another famous dragon in England is Lambton dragon from the legend of the Lambton Worm and Penshaw Hill. It was during the time of the Crusades that John Lambton caught a hideous, black, worm-like creature while fishing. He did not know what to do with it, so he threw it into an ancient well and forgot about it. The years passed, and he was gone on the Crusades for a long time. When he returned home, he found his village devastated by the worm, which had now grown into a monstrous dragon. With the help of a wise woman, he managed to kill the dragon, but his house was cursed and for nine generations no lord of Lambton would die in his bed.

Although a currently available reproduction cane with Lambton dragon looks like an Asian dragon, many older illustrations show that Lambton dragon is more like a sea serpent monster without legs or scales.

Henham Dragon

The Henham dragon was first sighted in 1668 in the British village of Henham, Essex. It was described as being nine feet long with small wings. The eyes were surrounded by strange feathers. Numerous sightings of the dragon were reported over the next year. Some just caught a glimpse of it in the distance, while others said it flew overhead. In 1669, a pamphlet called "The Flying Serpent or Strange News Out of Essex" was published and a copy of the pamphlet still exists at Saffron Walden library. This dragon was actually a hoax known as the "Henham Dragon Hoax of 1668." Still, it stimulated the imaginations of many artists and craftsmen, who designed some very nice walking canes.

Brinsop Dragon

This dragon lived in a well in Duck's Pool Meadow in Brinsop. It was killed by a local knight, but some insist that this knight was St. George. Yes, he was a busy guy! Most illustrations found for this dragon show large wings which is typical for modern-day images. The dragon sculpture on the current reproduction cane is actually quite nice looking, although probably hard to carry around.

Asian Dragon

Although they are not British, it is worth mentioning Asian dragons. Unlike in the Western equivalent, in Eastern-world legends dragons are usually in pairs, one good and one evil. If a good dragon wins, the village will prosper. If the evil one wins, the village will perish. They are a sort of symbol of the yin-yang relationship. One of most famous dragon tales from China is of a black and a white dragon. A famous wood carpenter was traveling with his son to a distant city. They passed one side of an ominous lake, with an island in the middle covered by a dark cloud. The son was thirsty and drank water from the lake when, suddenly, a black dragon appeared from the cloud, snatched the son, and disappeared. The father ran to the nearby village for help but no one could do anything. Half-crazed, he started carving a dragon from white wood laying around the side of the lake. He carved and carved without food, without sleep. When he removed the last chip from the dragon's eye, suddenly the wooden dragon came alive, flew to the black cloud, and started fighting with the black dragon. After many hours of fighting, both dragons disappeared under water, the black cloud cleared from the island, and the carpenter found his son sitting on the island.

The Asian dragons have no wings, but always have four legs, a pair of long whiskers and often a beard. It is quite easy to distinguish one from the European dragons.

Dragon Claws
A dragon-claw cane is a more recent creation from fantasy novels and films. A dragon claw holding a crystal or silver ball is quite popular. According to stories, the hand of a dragon was a talisman for many wizards. The sphere held in the dragon's claw represents the world, and he who owns this talisman will conquer the world. You can find several reproductions in this category. These canes are very popular among women interested in goth and/or vampire fashion than men and may not be as suitable as a gentleman's fashion accessory.

Although many original dragon walking canes from the 19th century or earlier were made of wood, bone, and ivory, the currently available dragon canes are usually made of pewter, and often made in Italy. Some no-name cheaper dragon canes are made in China and India. (Don't discount Indian craftsmanship, however. They make really nice canes at a reasonable price.) None of these canes are for orthopedic use. They are meant only as a gentleman's fashion accessory, and cheaper ones are for home decorations.

Kaoru Sanjo is a freelance writer who often contributes articles related to Antique Walking Cane. You can find more information about dragon antique walking canes described in this article at Dragon Antique Walking Cane site. ------------------------------------------------------ For more on Dragons and Dragon Collectibles, see www.bestdragonguide.com.

Dragons in Dreams

By Jeff Bronson

I had a dream... it was about a dragon. It wasn't terrifying, but it wasn't pleasant. The creature certainly wasn't Puff, the Magic Dragon. But what did it all mean?

Throughout history, dragons have symbolized power and depending on the culture, good or bad. Eastern culture has traditionally seen dragons as wise and beneficial, good fortune, and a sign of a spiritual or personal quest. Western culture, on the other hand, has presented dragons as bringers of hardships and destruction, guardians of treasure, and representations of greed. So does the regional symbolism apply to dreams?

What about Biblical symbolism? In Revelations 12, we are told of a dream in which Satan takes on the form of a red dragon. So are dragons diabolical?

In most explanations, across traditions of belief, dragons almost always symbolize a conflict; a significant problem in your life that you will have to deal with. Being chased by a dragon is an anxiety dream, similar to those in which you are standing in front of the classroom in your underwear. Maybe you even find yourself being chased by a dragon in your underwear if something is really weighing on your mind.

Winged dragons are often said to represent some sort of transcendence, insight. For example, if you are dreaming of riding a dragon, you might be in for some type of spiritual change.

Perhaps your dream dragon is standing in front of a cave, guarding its entrance. Numerous sources decipher that the cave is your subconscious and inside that cave is treasure, which in turn is your true self. In this interpretation, fighting the dragon represents fighting your own fear regarding reaching and understanding your true self.

Dragons in dreams are also associated with power, fire, and passion. Some people believe that these creatures are representations of your sexual and emotional domains. However, it is also cautioned that these dreams are there to remind you to use self control, which when not utilized, can lead to all sorts of destruction.

Still another explanation comes from Freud and Jung, who, as you may have guessed, attribute dragon dreams to a person's "devouring" aspects of his or her mother or if you are male, your inability out of fear or misunderstanding to incorporate your feminine side into your personality.

So the next time you wake up startled from a dream about a dragon, don't turn on all the lights and hide under the covers. Instead, take a close look at the things that are going on in your life-the conflicts and fears. Most of the times these are harder to face than fire-breathing creatures. That said, just remember that your dream is sending you a message and that is that you can do it-you can face and slay your dragon.

Jeff Bronson is the owner of Obscuria.com, a darkly unique Gothic shop. Obscuria only offers a quality selection of dragon figurines and dragon collectibles,and many custom made, exclusive in the U.S items. -------------------------------------------------------- For more info on Dragons, see www.bestdragonguide.com.

Dragons - A Symbol of Protection

By Jeff Bronson

The dragon is a powerful, mythical creature of legend and lore that you can find in pretty much every culture. While the strength of a dragon is a constant in different societies, the appearance and significance is not. Today, many of us adorn our homes and bodies with dragons for their qualities of good luck, well-being, and protection.

In the West, dragons were thought to bring hardships and destruction and often were the guardians of treasure and representations of greed. Societies such as the Norse used the symbol of the dragon as their figurehead, carving dragons into the heads of their ships and placing them on crests and shields. When Christianity was introduced, dragons' reputations became even worse and they came to be known as satanic beasts.

However, in the East and even in some Western societies, including Celtic, Gnostic, Alchemy, and Draconic Wicca, dragons symbolize a supreme being. This divine creature is believed to represent the spirit of nature and the ability to transform. It offers hope, courage, and good fortune. Legend often presents dragons as the guardians of the "flaming pearl," a gem symbolizing spiritual perfection. You will often see this pearl in dragon figurines and collectibles. You will sometimes see Celtic dragons in a circular position, tail to mouth. As in paganism, the circle is perfection, the circle of life, transformation, and eternity.

In our modern literature and movies, dragons are portrayed as terrifying, fire-breathing creatures that create obstacles in our personal journeys and that threaten to eat our women and children. Dragons worn with the more Western beliefs symbolize power and freedom and independence, but not usually an intention of evil. Most of the time, when we see a dragon, it isn't a symbol to fear, but one of protection.

Dragon images are one of the most requested tattoo designs. The inked image represents goodness and honor, power, and wisdom. It may also symbolize magic and a spiritual or personal quest. The actual form and meaning of the image depends on the culture it is from, whether it is Chinese, Japanese, Celtic, Western, Tribal, etc. Once the dragon becomes a permanent part of a person's body, the power of the dragon becomes a part of that person's existence. The tattoo also comes to represent that person or a part of that person's life.

Dragon images make powerful amulets. Worn close to our body, the talisman radiates protection, drives away negative forces, and attracts good fortune. You can wear your amulet all the time, or you can wear it when you feel you need it. You may also carry your amulet or sleep with it under your pillow-it depends on what you are seeking.

Dragon décor is a popular and stylish way to surround yourself with the power of dragons. From collectible figurines, statues, incense holders, chess sets, plaques, goblets, and even a roof cresting, there is a dragon for every part of your home.

Feng Shui has become popular in our Western culture and at the heart of this practice is the dragon. There are specific guidelines in this ideology when placing dragons around your space, including how many dragons you should have in the room, so if you are practicing Feng Shui, go easy on the dragon décor.

To sum it up, dragons are believed to be the protector of treasure, spiritual or material, is also a powerful protector and bringer of fortune in the human realm. There are many ways we can bring dragons into our daily lives and a plethora of benefits we can reap from doing so.

Jeff Bronson is the owner of Obscuria.com, a darkly unique Gothic shop.
Obscuria not only offers a quality selection of dragon figurines and dragon collectibles, but many custom made, exclusive in the U.S items.

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For more on Dragon Pictures, see www.bestdragonguide.com.

Dragons - A Symbol of Protection

By Jeff Bronson

The dragon is a powerful, mythical creature of legend and lore that you can find in pretty much every culture. While the strength of a dragon is a constant in different societies, the appearance and significance is not. Today, many of us adorn our homes and bodies with dragons for their qualities of good luck, well-being, and protection.

In the West, dragons were thought to bring hardships and destruction and often were the guardians of treasure and representations of greed. Societies such as the Norse used the symbol of the dragon as their figurehead, carving dragons into the heads of their ships and placing them on crests and shields. When Christianity was introduced, dragons' reputations became even worse and they came to be known as satanic beasts.

However, in the East and even in some Western societies, including Celtic, Gnostic, Alchemy, and Draconic Wicca, dragons symbolize a supreme being. This divine creature is believed to represent the spirit of nature and the ability to transform. It offers hope, courage, and good fortune. Legend often presents dragons as the guardians of the "flaming pearl," a gem symbolizing spiritual perfection. You will often see this pearl in dragon figurines and collectibles. You will sometimes see Celtic dragons in a circular position, tail to mouth. As in paganism, the circle is perfection, the circle of life, transformation, and eternity.

In our modern literature and movies, dragons are portrayed as terrifying, fire-breathing creatures that create obstacles in our personal journeys and that threaten to eat our women and children. Dragons worn with the more Western beliefs symbolize power and freedom and independence, but not usually an intention of evil. Most of the time, when we see a dragon, it isn't a symbol to fear, but one of protection.

Dragon images are one of the most requested tattoo designs. The inked image represents goodness and honor, power, and wisdom. It may also symbolize magic and a spiritual or personal quest. The actual form and meaning of the image depends on the culture it is from, whether it is Chinese, Japanese, Celtic, Western, Tribal, etc. Once the dragon becomes a permanent part of a person's body, the power of the dragon becomes a part of that person's existence. The tattoo also comes to represent that person or a part of that person's life.

Dragon images make powerful amulets. Worn close to our body, the talisman radiates protection, drives away negative forces, and attracts good fortune. You can wear your amulet all the time, or you can wear it when you feel you need it. You may also carry your amulet or sleep with it under your pillow-it depends on what you are seeking.

Dragon décor is a popular and stylish way to surround yourself with the power of dragons. From collectible figurines, statues, incense holders, chess sets, plaques, goblets, and even a roof cresting, there is a dragon for every part of your home.

Feng Shui has become popular in our Western culture and at the heart of this practice is the dragon. There are specific guidelines in this ideology when placing dragons around your space, including how many dragons you should have in the room, so if you are practicing Feng Shui, go easy on the dragon décor.

To sum it up, dragons are believed to be the protector of treasure, spiritual or material, is also a powerful protector and bringer of fortune in the human realm. There are many ways we can bring dragons into our daily lives and a plethora of benefits we can reap from doing so.

Jeff Bronson is the owner of Obscuria.com, a darkly unique Gothic shop. Obscuria not only offers a quality selection of dragon figurines and dragon collectibles, but many custom made, exclusive in the U.S items. ------------------------------------------- For more information and articles on Dragons, see www.bestdragonguide.com. To purchase Dragon Collectibles, see www.kamsgifts.com.

Dragons Throughout History - A Glimpse Into Dragon Mythology

By Jeff Bronson

Dating back to between 4000 and 5000 BC, dragons have been an integral part of our history. From mythology to architecture to collectibles, dragons are magical beings that may or may not have roamed the earth in actuality but have left gigantic footprints in our sensibility.

These extraordinary reptilian/serpentine creatures are found in many different cultures, and each of those dragons is as different as the culture itself. Some live in the center of the Earth, others live in the ocean. Some have wings, some don't. Some have hundreds of legs, some have four. Some have nine heads, others have one. Some have five claws, most have less. Some are friends and others are fiends. All are a symbol of awesome strength and power.

Studies suggest that the Tiamat, a goddess that personifies the sea, in ancient Babylonian and Assyrian text is the first reference to the existence of dragons. However, scholars argue about whether or not she truly was a dragon, as we define it. It is not believed that most dragons throughout history can be linked to the Tiamat myth.

Perhaps the best documented dragons come from the Chinese culture. These creatures are said to be made of parts from nine different animals: the body of a snake, talons of an eagle, antlers of a dear, head of a camel, belly of a clam, ears of a cow, soles of a tiger, 117 scales of a carp, and eyes of a demon. Dragons in Asian cultures are believed to be benevolent beings who control the water, including the rain, and have the power of transformation. They are forces of nature and the universe; protector of Buddhist law. The dragon is the symbol of wisdom, luck, good fortune, nobility, and divinity.

Western culture introduced us to a different kind of dragon: the malevolent, aggressive dragon. These dragons are like those Hercules battled and Beowolf waged war. In northern Europe, Thor battled the Jormungandr (the World Serpent). West dragons are fierce creatures that guarded (and horded) treasure and that heroes would have to slain to protect helpless maidens (acts that often ended in marriage). These were fire breathing dragons, more like the modern American dragons we are familiar today. Battles with these horrifying creatures became symbols of the battle between good and evil.

In the book of Revelations, Satan is referred to as a "great dragon." Stories tell of people who are turned into dragons as punishment for greed. Others tell of dragons eating children and even the sun and moon, causing eclipses.

Today, dragons are the symbol of power, of supernatural abilities, and of protection. People adorn their homes and their bodies with representations of the mystical creatures. Movies portray dragons as magical imaginary friends to fantasy adversaries. While we no longer talk about heroes fighting dragons, the creatures are still prevalent in our culture, for better or worse.

Jeff Bronson is the owner of Obscuria.com, a darkly unique Gothic shop. Obscuria not only offers a quality selection of dragon figurines and dragon collectibles, but many custom made, exclusive in the U.S items. --------------------------------------------------------------- For more information and articles on Dragons, see www.bestdragonguide.com. Purchase all types of Dragon Decor at Kam's Gift Boutique.