Saturday, February 26, 2011

Giving and Receiving Dragon Figurines

By Chloe Gib


It is not surprising that dragon figurines are hugely popular all around the world as they represent ancient stories familiar to entire nations. They also represent wisdom and long life, so they are seen as mystical objects that both bring luck and remind the owner of their perceived place in the world.

These ancient creatures feature in stories that are so old they cannot be traced back to their roots. They are mostly thought to be like a lizard or a snake. Many stories and paintings feature them exhaling flames and being attracted to treasure.

European depictions tend to show the creature with wings and living in cavernous areas. People in these cultures think of them as unsympathetic and dangerous. The main contrast to this in European forms is the red dragon of Wales that is shown on the national flag. In comparison, Chinese-Asian depictions are shown as being able to take on human forms and capable of being more understanding and willing to show kindness.

Memorabilia and artistic figures are widely available from internet sites, shops and markets in areas which revere these well-known stories, and are often given as gifts to represent a broad variety of subjects. They can be given to bring luck and wisdom in some cultures and are seen as precious family heirlooms that will be displayed throughout the home. As this image is representative of Welsh independence, examples are prominently displayed as a selling feature of Welsh products, especially when there is a national event such as a football or rugby tournament.

Eastern spiritual outlooks are widely practiced in Western countries and so both simple and expensive collectibles are popular. They are felt to remind the owner of the loss and reinstatement of old and often suppressed knowledge. This means that people often collect depictions, either as pieces of art or as souvenirs of a type of mysticism or knowledge discovered. The game 'Dungeons and Dragons' has hugely contributed to the collection of this type of figurine, with 20 million people having played the game and US merchandise amounting to over a billion dollars.

The army term 'dragoon' was named after the weapon which spat flame which because of this characteristic was named after the creature. Figurines are sometimes owned as representative reminders by those with an interest in military and historical affairs.

Ornamental figurines can range in size, material and intricacy. They can be 'sit alone' figures to be displayed as an artwork on a mantelpiece, or sometimes used as garden ornaments. Purchases can be made for children, where plastic is used and the intent is to be played with, or for adults where metals are commonly used but wood carvings are also highly prized.




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