From a "Myth-Dream'Symbols" site referred to by dear Frankie (peace to you!) on another thread, which I would like to respond to (I've nothing better to do, right now, so).
Dragons and Serpents
| Basic meaning : Unconscious fears that are repressed and need to be acknowledged |
Symbolism in DreamsDragonDragon
Dragon
(1) Is thedragon guarding a treasure, or a cave which might contain treasure? Nope. Well, not usually. Two of them are guarding an entrace to a "garden" in which lies a "Tree", so that might be a "treasure." But I don't see them often. Rarely, in fact, and never in a dream. And another 12 are guarding the entrance to a "city"... in which lies the same "Tree" (because the 'garden' is in the 'City'). But other than that, no, and never in a dream. Even so, fourteen is way less than a fraction of a drop in the bucket as to the number of them... which I don't think I can even begin to count to, so... If so, the cave probably represents your unconscious, no cave... (dragons don't live in caves - LOL!) the treasure represents yourself I would love to consider myself the "treasure"... but the truth is that here, the "treasure", if there is such a thing... is my Lord, the Tree of Life, the dragon that stands between you and your true self But they DON'T stand between me and the "treasure." Indeed, I have full authority to enter and EAT represents the fearsomeness of the unconscious, for one who is still afraid of what may be lurking there. Well, it's a good thing I've actually been allowed to see what's "there"... because it really CAN be frightening. They are NOT pretty, as we describe "pretty", I promise you! This is a repression of the unconscious contents. Well, okay, then! But since most of the ones I've seen aren't guarding anything... and I have access beyond the ones that are, so that I don't actually see them "guarding" or acting as guards...
(2) For Jung, the first stage of the individuation process is the conscious ego's heroic struggle {the hero/heroine journey of mythology} to lift itself out of the orginal all-encompassing unconsciousness and to establish control of unconscious forces. I don't even know what this means - LOLOLOL! No, seriously, I'm not trying to life myself out of anything. I GET lifted out, from time to time... but none of it is under my control, nor can it be. This finds symbolic representation in the legendary dragon-slayer, St George (St George = the ego; the dragon = the unconscious). Oh! If this were me, it would be me trying to "slay" "forces" that lie in my unconsciousness. I think? But I'm not trying to slay them - I LIKE them. They're actually very kind and loving... and quite tolerant of us humans. Most of them mean us absolutely NO harm, in fact, only want to minister to us. Those that do want to harm us do so because they consider us puny, weak, whiney, and contemptible.
(3) The dragon may represent the devouring aspect of (your relationship with) your mother. 'Slaying the dragon' may therefore mean putting an end to whatever in your attachment to your mother is detrimental to the process of finding your own psychic individuality. Once the individual has achieved liberation from the 'dragon', the feminine side of the man's psyche and the masculine side of the woman's psyche will no longer appear in threatening form, but as an indispensable companion and guide in further stages of self-development. Thank goodness they say "may", here. LOLOLOL! I have no issues with my mother, none at all (she was a demi-goddess in my book when she was alive, and no, I don't "blame" her for dying. I was actually very glad for her that she was finally released from her suffering.). And I kinda like my "masculine" side. Not threatening to me at all, but actually quite wanted and welcome. I can be girly-girly... as well as not-so-much. I actually like the not-so-much "side" better. It's more... logical, rational, and practical... IMHO. MY masculine side; not everyone's...
(4) A dragon may represent the generative power of (Mother) Nature; the unconscious, felt as womb pregnant with new possibilities of life. Ummmm... yeah, but no. Sounds like a bit of psychic "clutching at straws here," to me: ("I see a man... his name is Greg... no?... George... no? starts with a "g", right? No? Oh, it's Theordore? Okay, so I got the 'e...o...r...e' part, right..." LOLOLOL!
(5) A winged dragon may symbolize some kind of transcendence, some passing from 'lower' to 'higher' level of personal maturity. Perhaps. Only thing is... they all have wings. There is no unwinged dragon (even the Adversary has wings - he just can't USE them).
(6) A dragon may be a symbol for your sexuality, particularily if it - your sexuality - frightens you. LOLOLOLOLOL! Sorry, but that one's funny! Is your fear irrationsal; or does sexuality threaten to rule your life? LOLOLOLOLOL! I'm sorry... but you have to admit it's funny. I grew up during the days of "free love." NO one was "uptight" about sex. I didn't even understand uptightness about sex until I became a JW. Even then, all the hoopla about it belied the uptightness; rather, it lended to the existence of [major] repression. I taught both of my kids about it when they were like 4-5 years old... and reinforced their "education" each year. I gave each of them a condom at age 12 (had to attend a JC committee with a "sister" I confided in about that told her husband, who in turn told another, who in turn told another... and so on. Openly admitted it to the CO who asked me to go get it - yes, he did - and give it to him - yes, he did. I did... and just bought my girl another later). No, sorry, I don't have issues with... or about... sex. It's a physical function of the flesh... which can be coupled with emotion, affection, even love... as well as with hate, contempt, and dislike. It... is what it is.
In either case, don't kill the 'dragon'; if necessary tame it. This actually makes me blush, like I'm 13 and seeing a kissing scene for the first time - LOLOLOLOL! If it ain't broke... don't TAME it! LOLOLOLOL!
(In China, 'chi' is good, life-giving energy and the channels it runs along are called 'dragon-lines', which are said to follow underground water and underground magnetic fields). Because the Chinese, indeed, most Asians, don't see dragons as a threat (which the Anglo world did/does... which is why their "views" of them are, traditionally, as something that needs to be "slayed"... but that's changing,praise JAH!)... but rather as a natural part of the existence of man... indeed, co-existers. They're not wrong, although they're "view" might be slightly skewed.
In Revelation 12, the major opponent of the church is also exposed. He is the terrifying red dragon with seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns on his head. Revelation clearly identifies the dragon or monster. He is "that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray" (12:9, with 20:2). Actually, he is that "dragon, the "arkaic" seraph. Not "archaic" as in "old"... but "arkaic" as in "of the Ark." And not "serpent" as in snake, but as in "seraph". (Ezekiel 28:14)
Satan's earthly proxy — the beast from the sea — also has seven heads and ten horns, and he is scarlet in color as well (13:1; 17:3). Satan's character is mirrored in his earthly representatives. The dragon personifies evil. This isn't accurate. The dragon that is "Satan" personifies evil. Because he is evil. But ALL dragons are not (Psalm 18:6, 8) Since ancient mythology had many references to dragons, John's audience would have understood that the dragon of Revelation 13 represented a cosmic enemy. He did; that enemy was and is real, however, and is a spirit. Perhaps that's what the author meant by "cosmic"; however, the "cosmos" is with reference to the physical universe, and he is not "of" the physical realm, but the spirit realm.
Exactly what the dragon's seven heads represent is not immediately clear. However, given John's use of seven as a numerical symbol of completeness, perhaps this suggests the universal nature of Satan's power and that he completely embodies within himself all evil. Actually what they represent IS clear, particularly as to one "head" - the one that received a death-stroke that got healed. This is Israel (particularly Judah) Jeremiah 14:19; 15:18, 19; 30:15-17; 33:6-8; Psalm 103:3; Lamentations 2:13; Revelation 13:3, 14). I won't go into the identity of the other six "heads"... or who the wild beast that has 2 horns "makes an image to the [wild beast] that received a death stroke." Another thread, that.
The dragon also has seven diadems or royal crowns on his heads. They could represent Satan's spurious claim against Christ. As theLord of Lords, it is to Jesus that all crowns of authority belong. He is the one who will be crowned with many diadems (19:12, 16). This is with reference to the "kings of the earth" who "fornicate" with the Harlot, Babylong the Great (Revelation 17:9-18)
We are told the dragon had "swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to earth" (12:4). This fraction is used several times in Revelation. Perhaps we should interpret it as meaning a significant minority. Now THAT is accurate.
So, okay, this was "fun", actually. I hope it helps those who think that perhaps I'm "dreaming" these things understand that I am not. I do realize that some will want to believe that, regardless, though, and they have that right, inaccurate though their assumptions may be.
Again, peace to you all!
A slave of Christ,
SA
