Where to See The World's Best Dragons - with one breathing fire! In Asia, England and Poland; Komodo Dragons In Zoos and Your Personalised Dragon Book!

Dragon breathing fire in Krakov, Poland

 What's the nearest real thing to a dragon? A Monitor lizard, in Indonesia, or the Botanical Gardens in Singapore? A Komodo dragon in Indonesia and some zoos?

A dinosaur, which no longer exists, is popular amongst children, adults, in museums and monster movies (we say films in the UK).

Dragons don't even exist yet they are popular worldwide. Why? Maybe we like to have mythical monsters we can overcome. 

Overcoming Fear Of The Large Monster

I recall visiting London's home of the Duke of Wellington, which has a giant statue of Napoleon in the hall. The Duke of Wellington had a huge statue of Napoleon made, so that when he met the real Napoleon (a tiny man with a big ego - had to prove himself by winning battles) Wellington could then say to himself, he is much smaller than I imagined.

So, let's look at Dragons.

This post was inspired by my new friend Izabel, who lives in Warsaw, Poland, and she reminded me about the dragon in Krakov. I had been to Krakov, passed the dragon, been told about it on a tour, read about it in the literature, and, frankly, had not taken much notice of it. I was more interested in real people in Krakov, such as Schindler, and Helena Rubinstein, the founder of the beauty business, than a mere mythical creature.

However, dragons are such a permanent feature of crests, shields, flags, statues, landmarks, all around us, that it is worth taking a second look at the world's dragons, because, although they are not my first day out priority, they seem to fascinate everybody else. 

Here are the dragons I have found, for convenience, in alphabetical order by country.

CHINA

Dragons were symbols of the Ming dynasty.

ENGLAND

Saint George and the Dragon. the flag of England is the red cross of St George on white. You will see this at football matches in which the England team is competing. 

London Zoo (whose website says they are closed until Dec 3rd 2020, because of Covid-19) has the komodo dragon in pride of place at the top of their website. 

Komodo dragon in Chester Zoo, shown in Wikipedia.

The name St George appears in many places. For example, St George's Shopping Centre in Harrow,  has a frieze of St George way up overhead, inside the three storey building with a series of panels telling the story of St George. The dragon apparently captured a princess. The dragon ate princesses for lunch. Luckily George rescued her, as shown in several panels. 

GERMANY

George slaying the dragon. Wooden sculpture made in about 1500, displayed in Gottorf Castle in Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. Photo by Szilas in Wikipedia.

INDONESIA

The Indonesian Islands of Komodo were at one time offering tours to see Komodo dragons, also known as Komodo monitors. They have a long thin tongue. 

I've seen a horrid video of them in a gang circling an animal. They injected venom into the animal and waited for it to fall down.

At one time you could take tours to the Komodo islands, specifically to see the dragons. They used to guarantee that you would get close up to a Komodo dragon. Funny, that. I would have paid them to guarantee not to take me near a dragon. 

I think at one time the tours were stopped, then started again.

A great holiday. For those who love living dangerously. If covid-19 doesn't get you, or your pets, the dragons might.

POLAND

Dragon on a good day, not breathing fire, in Krakov, Poland.

RUSSIA

George slaying the dragon is on the roof of a shopping mall near the Kremlin.

SINGAPORE

My husband recalls seeing a komodo dragon on his many trips with visitors to the Night Safari.

I asked, "Did you like seeing the komodo dragons?"

He replied,  "I'm not sure that like is the right word. They were very interesting. You wouldn't want to be the wrong side of a metal fence."

WALES

The red dragon is the symbol of Wales, on the Welsh flag.

USA

St George and the Dragon. Alabaster Sculpture. Washington. USA.

San Diego Zoo komodo dragon in Wikipedia.

Wiki reports that in 'May 2009, there were 35 North American, 13 European, one Singaporean, two African, and two Australian institutions which housed captive Komodo dragons'.

Apparently these nasty creatures are very popular with people, no doubt some nasty people and some nice people as well. 

Toy Dragons

Finally, if you want your own dragon, Amazon, plus online toyshops and your local toyshop when Covid-19 lets them open, can offer many dragons for you and children in the family. You can find small ones from dragons on your fingers, to playmats with dragons. Playmobil has dragons, and there are other small plastic dragons, as well as large soft dragons to cuddle. 

Plus of course, books about misunderstood, friendly dragons.

Useful Websites

UK

https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/komodo-dragons

http://piquantphotos.blogspot.com/2010/02/photo-essay-saint-george-and-dragon.html

https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/venture-into-a-realm-of-dragons-and-beasts-in-singapore-zoo

About the Author Of This Post, Angela

Angela Lansbury, travel researcher/writer and photographer, author and speaker. 

Author of Wedding Speeches & Posts, Etiquette for Every Occasion, Quick Quotations, Who Said What When?

You can contact Angela through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters on Facebook or Toastmasters Interntional.com find a club . Angela is a member of four Toastmasters Clubs and BHA IPP, Immediate Past President, and VP PR (Vice President Public Relations) for 20202-2021

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