Dragons have long captured the human imagination. As powerful, mythical beasts, they have been featured in legends, stories, art, and heraldry across many cultures for centuries. In European heraldry, the dragon is a popular charge featured on coats of arms of royalty, noble families, cities, and institutions. Those bearing a dragon in their coat of arms often intend it to symbolize strength, valor, protection, wisdom, and power.
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design belonging to a specific person, family, or institution. The tradition began in medieval Europe as a way to identify warriors on the battlefield. The distinguishing emblems and figures on a coat of arms are called “charges.” Dragons are one of the most ancient and widespread charges used, featured extensively in coats of arms across Europe and beyond.
Origin and History of Heraldic Dragons
Dragons originate in mythology and appear in the folklore of cultures worldwide, from Ancient Greece and Rome to the medieval tales of European knights slaying dragons. The heraldic dragon emerged in the 12th century in Europe. The bayeux tapestry of 1066 depicts early heraldic banner designs that include dragon charges.
Heraldic dragons are depicted in a stylized form, with reptilian or lizard-like scaly bodies, large bat-like wings, and four legs. They may have horns and have either no or small fire breathing dragon heads. These imposing yet fantastical beasts represent strength, valor, protection, wisdom, fertility, and power.
European Royalty and Nobility
Many royal and noble houses of Europe have coats of arms featuring dragons, including:
United Kingdom
– House of Tudor – Green and white dragon supporter
– John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough – Red dragon charge
– Earl of Pembroke – Red dragon supporter
Spain
– Kingdom of Aragon – Gold four-legged dragon with red wings and tongue on shield
– House of Trastámara – White dragon holding a sword on red shield
Portugal
– House of Aviz – Crowned red dragon charge on white shield
France
– House of Capet – Two blue dragon supporters
Germany
– House of Wittelsbach – Red dragon with blue wings and crown
Italy
– House of Colonna – Two green dragon supporters
– House of Este – Gules, a fess argent; in chief a double-headed eagle argent and in base an wyvern gules
Wales
– House of Mathrafal – Red dragon passant (walking with one paw raised)
| Coat of Arms | Owner | Dragon Details |
|---|---|---|
| House of Tudor (UK) | Green and white dragon supporter | The red dragon supporter represents Wales in the coat of arms of the House of Tudor, which hailed from Wales. |
| Kingdom of Aragon (Spain) | Gold four-legged dragon with red wings and tongue on shield | The dragon charge hearkens back to the founding legend of Aragon, in which a knight slayed a dragon and became king. |
| House of Aviz (Portugal) | Crowned red dragon charge on white shield | The dragon charge honors Henry, Count of Portugal’s father Afonso I Henriques for defeating a dragon in battle. |
Cities and Institutions
In addition to royalty and nobility, dragons appear on coats of arms of cities, universities, churches, and other institutions. Some examples include:
– City of London – Red dragon supporter
– University of Cambridge – Black dragon supporter
– University of Wales, Lampeter – Red dragon supporter
– German city of Meissen – Black dragon charge holding a ring
– Italian city of Ferrara – Green dragon charge
– Russian city of Tver – Red dragon charge
– Norwegian city of Trondheim – Golden dragon charge
– Swedish city of Växjö – Red dragon supporter
– Swiss city of Basel – Black double-headed dragon charge
– Polish city of Kraków – Golden dragon charge
Meanings and Symbolism
Heraldic dragons symbolize attributes like:
Strength and Valor
As powerful legendary creatures, dragons represent strength, courage, and valor. They were the opponents of heroes and knights in mythology.
Protection and Guardianship
Dragons were said to guard treasure and sacred sites. Placing them on a coat of arms conveys protection.
Wisdom
In some cultures, dragons were wise and associated with longevity. Dragon coats of arms can symbolize wisdom and knowledge.
Divine Favor
Some legends say dragon were created by or associated with deities. Dragon charges indicated divine blessing or favor.
Fertility and Abundance
As symbols of the life force, dragons represent fertility, prosperity, riches, and abundance.
Power and Sovereignty
As mighty beasts, dragons symbolized qualities like strength, courage, and leadership associated with power and authority.
Heraldic Traditions Beyond Europe
While most prevalent in Europe, dragons appear in the heraldry of other world regions as well, including:
– Japanese Imperial Family – Golden dragon triskelion charge
– Chinese Han Dynasty – Golden five-clawed imperial dragon
– Vietnamese Nguyễn dynasty – Golden dragon charge
– Kingdom of Cambodia – Depictions of the nāga, a dragon-like mythical creature
– Ethiopian Empire – Crowned dragon supporter with lion charg
– Moroccan royal family – Green dragon charge
– South African coa – Two red dragon supporters
– Brazilian Empire – Green dragon supporter
Conclusion
The dragon is one of the oldest and most widespread heraldic charges, featured extensively in coats of arms over centuries. They convey attributes like strength, wisdom, protection, fertility, and power. Both real and mythic beasts, dragons continue to have a powerful presence and appeal in heraldry today. Whether a supporter, crest, or charge, the dragon is a bold symbolic statement on any coat of arms.
