Of all the magical creatures and mythical beasts in international folklore, dragons are the most prevalent. Appearing in stories from Britain to China, they take many forms, from huge, powerfully built creatures with expansive wings to slim, serpentine animals without wings at all. They also represent different things in different cultures: cunning, wickedness, good fortune and wisdom to name but a few. But which countries are most famous for their dragons? Let’s take a look.

Wales

Wales is so closely associated with dragons that its national flag is emblazoned with one. Y Ddraig Goch (the Red Dragon) symbolised the Britons and, according to legend, fought a powerful white dragon (Y Ddraig Wen) which represented the Saxon invaders. The red dragon won the fight, which is why it now appears on the Welsh flag. Today, you’ll see Y Ddraig Goch at sports events, on government buildings and during national celebrations.

China

Dragons are a key part of Chinese folklore, appearing in a range of stories. They are often associated with water, controlling rains, rivers, seas and floods - and most are benevolent. The dragon king or dragon god (Longwang) is perhaps the most famous of China’s dragons. He is often depicted both as a dragon and as a human with dragon-like features. There are temples dedicated to him, often in coastal regions, and the traditional dragon boats in the popular races are inspired by him.

Scandinavia

Head over to Scandinavia and you’ll come across a greedy dragon, Fafnir, who is the jealous guardian of a hoard of gold. According to the Völsunga saga, this snake-like creature obtains his treasure by killing his father and stealing it. He is eventually slain by Sigurd, who hides in a pit beneath him and stabs him in his soft underbelly. Depictions of Fafnir can be found in medieval carvings in Scandinavia, and he also appears in various popular international video games, songs and comics.

Mesoamerica

In Aztec, Toltec and Mayan tradition, the god Quetzlcoatl was a feathered serpent that was associated with myriad things over the centuries - from wind, rain, death and resurrection to knowledge, learning, arts and crafts. Quetzlcoatl is featured in murals and paintings across Mexico, as well as appearing in literature from the region.

England

The English legend of St George and the Dragon is still told up and down the country. In it, a wicked dragon strikes terror into a village, demanding tributes from the people. When they run out of livestock, they are forced to make human sacrifices. One day the princess is chosen and encounters St George on her way to the dragon’s cave. She tells him the story and the brave St George kills the dragon, rescuing the princess and freeing the village. Since the Middle Ages, St George and the dragon have appeared in literature and art from all over Europe.

See a dragon live

Have you ever wondered where you can see dragons live? Book tickets to the acclaimed theatre show Dragons and Mythical Beasts Live and you’ll come face to face with a dragon! This is no simple fairy show - it features creatures from a range of countries, including a troll, an indrik and a baku. Discover the production at your local theatre today.