Dragons Threatened Europe, Blessed Asia

European folklore commonly portrayed dragons as malevolent beasts that breathed fire, terrorized communities, and greedily guarded hoards of gold. Chinese and other East Asian traditions often treated dragons as benevolent beings that controlled water and rain while symbolizing wisdom, imperial authority, prosperity, and good fortune. Agricultural communities prayed to them for rain and plentiful harvests, making these dragons life-giving powers to honor rather than monsters for heroes to kill.

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