Flying Squid@lemmy.world to InsanePeopleFacebook@lemmy.world · 23 days ago"What else could it be, that Japan has a rich tapestry of folktales featuring all sorts of fantastical creatures?"lemmy.worldexternal-linkmessage-square21fedilinkarrow-up1129arrow-down13
arrow-up1126arrow-down1external-link"What else could it be, that Japan has a rich tapestry of folktales featuring all sorts of fantastical creatures?"lemmy.worldFlying Squid@lemmy.world to InsanePeopleFacebook@lemmy.world · 23 days agomessage-square21fedilink
minus-squareChicoSuave@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up24·23 days agoThe actual answer is because Japan has lots of reptile representation among their demons and yokai. Japan has lizards and enjoys them as a culture to celebrate. The closest the West has is “salamander = fire”.
minus-squareFlying Squid@lemmy.worldOPlinkfedilinkarrow-up9arrow-down1·23 days agoThere’s some others, like sea serpents and the Western concept of dragons as giant flying lizards. A dragon is literally the symbol of Wales (okay, a wyvern if you want to be technical about it, but whatever).
minus-squareMutilationWave@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up5·23 days ago (okay, a wyvern if you want to be technical about it, but whatever) Nah that’s a dragon. They hadn’t invented D&D yet.
minus-squareFlying Squid@lemmy.worldOPlinkfedilinkarrow-up4·23 days agoFor what it’s worth, the word goes back to the 17th century. But Wikipedia also calls them a type of dragon, so 🤷. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern
minus-squareJustas🇱🇹@sh.itjust.workslinkfedilinkarrow-up3·22 days agoThere’s also a Baltic cult of worshipping wood snakes. And a fairy tale about one being the king of the sea.
The actual answer is because Japan has lots of reptile representation among their demons and yokai.
Japan has lizards and enjoys them as a culture to celebrate. The closest the West has is “salamander = fire”.
There’s some others, like sea serpents and the Western concept of dragons as giant flying lizards. A dragon is literally the symbol of Wales (okay, a wyvern if you want to be technical about it, but whatever).
Nah that’s a dragon. They hadn’t invented D&D yet.
For what it’s worth, the word goes back to the 17th century. But Wikipedia also calls them a type of dragon, so 🤷.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern
There’s also a Baltic cult of worshipping wood snakes. And a fairy tale about one being the king of the sea.