{"id":2323,"date":"2017-09-07T10:49:48","date_gmt":"2017-09-07T08:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/english-the-dragon-and-its-symbolism.html"},"modified":"2026-03-12T17:49:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T16:49:06","slug":"the-dragon-and-its-symbolism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/the-dragon-and-its-symbolism\/","title":{"rendered":"Gargoyles of Dragons: Forms and Symbolism"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dragon-Shaped Gargoyles: Fascinating Stone Discoveries<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">During our travels, we have occasionally encountered <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/the-gargoyles\/\">gargoyles<\/a> depicting <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/videos-the-gargoyle-and-its-iconography\/video-typologies-in-gargoyles-the-dragon\/\">dragons<\/a> \u2014 one of the most powerful and symbolic creatures in world iconography.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Magical and Symbolic Dimensions of the Dragon in Mythology<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Today, we invite you to explore the world of one of the most iconic, meaningful, fascinating, and magical creatures in <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/mythology-and-fascinating-mythical-creatures-in-gargoyles\/\">mythology<\/a>: the dragon.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It has numerous portrayals and a fascinating symbolism.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-2323 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Grotesque from the Yuyuan Gardens (Shanghai, China). A dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10047\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10047'>\n\t\t\t\tYuyuan Gardens (Shanghai, China)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DOI-SUTHEP-TEMPLE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DOI-SUTHEP-TEMPLE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Sculpture from the Doi Suthep Temple (Chiang Mai, Thailand). A dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DOI-SUTHEP-TEMPLE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DOI-SUTHEP-TEMPLE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10027'>\n\t\t\t\tDoi Suthep Temple (Chiang Mai, Thailand)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DENGFENG-CHINA-MONASTERIO-SHAOLIN.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DENGFENG-CHINA-MONASTERIO-SHAOLIN.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Sculpture from the Shaolin Monastery (Dengfeng, China).\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DENGFENG-CHINA-MONASTERIO-SHAOLIN.jpg 750w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DENGFENG-CHINA-MONASTERIO-SHAOLIN-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 750px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10025'>\n\t\t\t\tShaolin Monastery (Dengfeng, China)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI-2.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Grotesque from the Yuyuan Gardens (Shanghai, China). A dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10049\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI-2.jpg 750w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/YUYUAN-GARDENS-SHANGHAI-2-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 750px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10049'>\n\t\t\t\tYuyuan Gardens (Shanghai, China)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10039 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/nuevo-ayuntamiento-munich-4.jpg\" alt=\"g\u00e1rgolas arquitectura\" width=\"670\" height=\"516\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/nuevo-ayuntamiento-munich-4.jpg 670w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/nuevo-ayuntamiento-munich-4-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 670px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">New City Hall in Munich (Germany)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dragon Throughout History: From Mesopotamia to the East<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As we already said when we discussed the various <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/types-of-gargoyles\/\">types of gargoyles<\/a>, sources on the image and symbolism of the dragon date back to texts written in Antiquity, bestiaries, works of mythology, tradition, superstition, etc.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first depiction of the dragon seems to have appeared in Sumer (Mesopotamia). In the Louvre there is a libation vessel from Tello (ancient Girsu, in the Sumerian state of Lagash) dating from 2150 B.C. showing a winged monster with a serpent&#8217;s head and a diadem with horns, which could be the first depiction of a dragon, possibly symbolising royal strength.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some of the characteristics attributed to the dragon are of being a strong, watchful creature with incredibly sharp eyesight. This extraordinary strength meant it was used to guard temples, oracles, virgins and treasures. For pagans it was a symbol of prudence, wisdom and prophecy. The Persians and Parthians carried lions and dragons in front of their armies to intimidate their enemies. Roman legions used the dragon as their emblem, as did the Vikings, who placed them in a prominent position on the prow of their ships. In Achaemenid Persia, you find dragons combating the forces of evil.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In China, the dragon is a creature of good omen, a symbol of strength, wisdom, prosperity and perfection, and linked to the beneficial values of yang (male principle) compared to yin (female principle). The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) spread the image of the dragon in the decorative arts (china, fabrics and tapestries, weapons, clothing, musical instruments, etc.), which made it even more widespread.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Baltru\u0161aitis, dragons were also used in Islam around the same period (fables of Ibn Buhtya\u0161\u016b from 1291, dragons in illustrations of the Mongol kingdom\u2026). The Far East is clearly a land of dragons.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-2323 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-DE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"422\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-DE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Sculpture from the Chiang Mai Temple (Thailand). A dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-10043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-DE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA.jpg 422w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-DE-CHIANG-MAI-TAILANDIA-281x500.jpg 281w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-10043'>\n\t\t\t\tChiang Mai Temple (Thailand)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-BLANCO-CHIANG-RAI-TAILANDIA.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"422\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-BLANCO-CHIANG-RAI-TAILANDIA.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Sculpture from the Chiang Mai Temple (Thailand). A dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-10041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-BLANCO-CHIANG-RAI-TAILANDIA.jpg 422w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TEMPLO-BLANCO-CHIANG-RAI-TAILANDIA-281x500.jpg 281w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-10041'>\n\t\t\t\tWhite Temple (Chiang Rai, Thailand)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dragon as a Cultural Symbol in Different Civilisations<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other cultures also have portrayals of dragons. In Black Africa, protective spirits usually take the form of a serpent, and the same is true for New Zealand and <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/gargoyles-in-indonesia\/\">Indonesia<\/a>. In Sumatra, the <em>singa <\/em>(a serpent with horns, a horse&#8217;s neck and a wavy tongue) protects homes and the dead if shown on a tombstone. And Mexico has an Aztec deity, the Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent (winged dragon).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Greek mythology also has its own dragon-like figures: the Gorgons, Echidna, Typhon, the Hydra of Lerna, and so on. In the Greco-Roman world, the dragon was linked to the concept of the hero who overcomes the monster (Perseus, Jason, Hercules, Cadmus).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Dragon in Christian and Medieval Tradition<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Christian iconography linked the dragon to the idea of evil and the <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/videos-the-gargoyle-and-its-iconography\/video-typologies-in-gargoyles-angels-and-demons\/\">devil<\/a>, and featured not only dragons but also other creatures related to the <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/the-devil-and-his-portrayal-in-gargoyles-iii\/\">serpent<\/a>, which as you know is the symbol of the devil in Genesis, a meaning that could sometimes also be applied to the dragon gargoyle.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-2323 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-2.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the New Cathedral of Salamanca. Two dragons.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-10011\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-10011'>\n\t\t\t\tNew Cathedral of Salamanca (Spain)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-3-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-3-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the New Cathedral of Salamanca. Two dragons.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-10013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-3-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-3-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-10013'>\n\t\t\t\tNew Cathedral of Salamanca (Spain)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The dragon of Christian art comes from an Oriental model (serpent with scaly feet, sometimes with a spiny dorsal crest or serrated teeth), and from a Celtic model (the serpent with the lamb&#8217;s head that accompanies the Celtic god Cernunnos, shown on a silver cauldron found in Gundestrup and dating from the 1st century B.C. is a kind of dragon).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Biographies of the saints contain legends about saints conquering dragons (evil), like St. George, St. Marcellus, St. Martha, St. Radegunda, St. Andr\u00e9 of Aix-en-Provence, St. Armentarius, etc.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The huge number of dire prophecies that emerged around the year one thousand, according to the accounts by St. Medardus of Soissons (5th-6th century) and the monk Sigebert of Gembloux (11th-12th century), include the appearance of a celestial dragon.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his <em>Etimologies<\/em>, St. Isidore says that the dragon is the biggest of all animals that inhabit the earth. The Greeks call it <i>drak\u00f4n<\/i>, from which the Latin word <em>draco<\/em> is derived. He tells us that it has a crest, a small mouth and narrow channels through which it breathes and sticks its tongue out. But its strength does not lie in its mouth, but rather in its whip-like tail.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visual Evolution of the Dragon in Western Art<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The image of the dragon evolved over time. From a simple serpent with no wings or feet in the Romanesque period to the impressive Gothic dragon, with scales, crest and membranous wings. In the 13th century especially, dragons had <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/superb-and-sinister-gargoyles-with-bat-like-wings-dantes-devil\/\">bat-like wings<\/a> and serrated crests.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The dragon would go on to be portrayed in the Renaissance and would be a habitual motif of the <em>grutesco<\/em>. The medieval type of dragon continues, with formal changes but the same symbolism.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Throughout the centuries, dragons have been depicted in sculpture, painting, decorative arts, and gargoyles, revealing their enduring presence in the visual language of art. The image of the dragon appears in countless places and countries. But we don&#8217;t only see it portrayed in sculpture, painting or the decorative arts; it also appears in all the arts of our time: film, illustration, literature, animation, and much more.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And always reaching far beyond the limits of our imagination and fantasy.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dragones esculpidos: galer\u00eda de g\u00e1rgolas con forma de drag\u00f3n<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-2323 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"422\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyles from Kunming (Yunnan, China).\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-10031\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA.jpg 422w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA-281x500.jpg 281w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-10031'>\n\t\t\t\tKunming (Yunnan, China)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA-2.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from Kunming (Yunnan, China). A mythological animal: a dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-10033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA-2.jpg 750w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/KUNMING-YUNNAN-CHINA-2-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 750px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-10033'>\n\t\t\t\tKunming (Yunnan, China)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-2323 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Wawel-Cracovia-Polonia.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Wawel-Cracovia-Polonia.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Dragon. Gargoyle from the Wawel Cathedral (Krak\u00f3w, Poland). A dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Wawel-Cracovia-Polonia.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Wawel-Cracovia-Polonia-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10023'>\n\t\t\t\tWawel Cathedral (Krakow, Poland)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Monasterio-Batalha-Portugal-2-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Monasterio-Batalha-Portugal-2-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the Monastery of Batalha (Portugal). A mythological animal: a dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Monasterio-Batalha-Portugal-2-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Monasterio-Batalha-Portugal-2-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10037'>\n\t\t\t\tBatalha Monastery (Portugal)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the New Cathedral of Salamanca. A mythological animal: a dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10019'>\n\t\t\t\tNew Cathedral of Salamanca (Spain)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-2-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-2-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the New Cathedral of Salamanca. A mythological animal: a dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-2-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-Salamanca-2-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10021'>\n\t\t\t\tNew Cathedral of Salamanca (Spain)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wroclaw-Polonia.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wroclaw-Polonia.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Metal gargoyle from Wroclaw (Poland). A dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wroclaw-Polonia.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wroclaw-Polonia-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10045'>\n\t\t\t\tWroclaw (Poland)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the New Cathedral of Salamanca. A mythological animal: a two-headed dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10017'>\n\t\t\t\tNew Cathedral of Salamanca (Spain)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-4.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the New Cathedral of Salamanca. Two dragons.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-4.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-4-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10015'>\n\t\t\t\tNew Cathedral of Salamanca (Spain)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle from the New Cathedral of Salamanca. A mythological animal: a dragon.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-10009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Salamanca-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-10009'>\n\t\t\t\tNew Cathedral of Salamanca (Spain)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10007 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Narbonne-Francia-3.jpg\" alt=\"g\u00e1rgolas qu\u00e9 significan\" width=\"570\" height=\"428\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Narbonne-Francia-3.jpg 570w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Catedral-de-Narbonne-Francia-3-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 570px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Narbonne Cathedral (France)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>This entry was originally published in September 2017 and updated in November 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Bibliography<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">BALTRU\u0160AITIS, J., <em>La Edad Media fant\u00e1stica. Antig\u00fcedades y exotismos en el arte g\u00f3tico<\/em>, Madrid, Ediciones C\u00e1tedra, S. A., 1987.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">DELACAMPAGNE, A. y C., <em>Animales extra\u00f1os y fabulosos. Un bestiario fant\u00e1stico en el arte<\/em>, Madrid, Editorial Casariego, 2005.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">FOCILLON, H., <em>El a\u00f1o mil<\/em>, Madrid, Alianza Editorial S. A., 1966.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">GARC\u00cdA \u00c1LVAREZ, C., <em>El simbolismo del grutesco renacentista<\/em>, Universidad de Le\u00f3n. Secretariado de Publicaciones, 2001.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">GRIVOT, D., <em>Le diable dans la cathedrale<\/em>, Paris, Editions Morel, 1960.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">MATEO G\u00d3MEZ, I., <em>Temas profanos en la escultura g\u00f3tica espa\u00f1ola. Las siller\u00edas de coro<\/em>, Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cient\u00edficas. Instituto Diego Vel\u00e1zquez, 1979.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">SAN ISIDORO DE SEVILLA, <em>Etimolog\u00edas<\/em>, II (Libros XI-XX), Madrid, Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos. Editorial Cat\u00f3lica, S. A., 1982.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Dragon-Shaped Gargoyles: Fascinating Stone Discoveries During our travels, we have occasionally encountered gargoyles depicting dragons \u2014 one of the most powerful and symbolic creatures in world iconography. &nbsp; Magical and Symbolic Dimensions of the Dragon in Mythology Today, we invite you to explore the world of one of the most iconic, meaningful, fascinating, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10035,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[481],"tags":[2464,960,2058,2626,187,72,1041,2395,2059,1155,841,959,2060,2659],"class_list":["post-2323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gargoyles-of-mythological-beings","tag-arte-gotico","tag-dragon-symbolism","tag-dragons","tag-escultura-medieval","tag-gargolas-en","tag-gargoyles-en","tag-gothic-art","tag-iconografia-en","tag-iconography","tag-medieval-bestiaries","tag-medieval-sculpture","tag-mythological-creatures","tag-religious-architecture","tag-simbolismo-del-dragon"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2323"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19784,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323\/revisions\/19784"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10035"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}