Introduction

      This exhibit will focus on the dragon: a mythical creature which is found in many different parts of the world, and in a variety of cultures.  The dragon is depicted in many forms, and in religious and secular contexts. There are lots of opposites in the way dragons are perceived: opiate or poison; darkness or eclipse; fire or light; devil and divine; chaos and order, etc. They are found in lots of Islamic and Chinese art and literature throughout the ages. 

      Dragons are mentioned in famous literature such as Beowulf, the Shahnameh and much more. This exhibit will analyze depictions of the Dragon from a variety of sources, and compare and contrast them. The main focus will be on the Dragon of Beowulf, and Dragons mentioned in the Shahnameh.

      Dragons have different meanings in different cultures, contexts and areas. For example, the Chinese dragon is not the same as the Persian dragon, although they are connected. The meaning and purposes of the symbolic Dragon differ in different cultures, and will be explained using examples of everyday household objects from around the medieval world.