The Dragon With the Girl Tattoo Quiz

Answer: An area where lots of ships are lost at sea

Located in the Philippine Sea off China's eastern coast, the 'Dragon's Triangle' is the Asian version of the Bermuda Triangle. In 1950 the country of Japan proclaimed that the area was a danger zone for shipping. In 1952 they sent a research vessel named Maru No.5 to investigate the area and the ship was promptly lost at sea. Myth says that underground dragons are responsible for undulations of the sea floor in this area.

The movements of these dragons is also believed to cause the volcanic eruptions and tsunamis which plague the area.

Answer: Warriors

In the story of Jason and the Argonauts, we learn that if you plant dragon's teeth in the ground, a powerful warrior will spring forth. This myth is featured in the story of Cadmus, who was responsible for bringing literature and civilization to the world. Today the term 'to sow dragon's teeth' is a metaphor for doing something that is intended to intensify already existing disputes.

Answer: Wyvern

A wyvern is a type of European dragon that is depicted as having two legs, a barbed tail and wings. Its strength and ferocity led to it being used as a heraldic device for hundreds of years. There is also a sea-wyvern which lives in the water. Both are believed to be capable of protecting, as well as destroying, a person.

Answer: Andromeda

Andromeda, the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia of Ethiopia, was offered as a sacrifice after her mother insulted the Nereids by claiming that she was more beautiful than they were. The Nereids went to Poseidon asking him to avenge them. He then sent a dragon to Ethiopia, who destroyed the land and devoured the young people of the country.

The oracle Ammon told the King and Queen that they only way to save themselves and their people was to offer up their daughter Andromeda to the dragon.

The hero Perseus, who was passing by on Pegasus, saw the beautiful girl chained to the rock. He killed the dragon, married Andromeda, and had many children. This is an example of how the myths of Europe and Africa are often mixed together.

Answer: True

The dragon has a long history in Chinese mythology. It is a symbol of good luck, power, and invincibility. The dragon was believed to have control over water and weather, making dragons responsible for rainfall, typhoons and floods. The Emperor of China used the dragon as a symbol of his regal powers for centuries.

The dragon is the ultimate incarnation of strength, excellence, and protection in this culture.

Answer: Viking

The Vikings would carve dragon figureheads on their longboats in the belief it provided them with protection and the ability to sneak up on their enemy. It was believed it endowed members of this maritime culture with keen sight and cunning, which would bring them victory and scare away their enemies.

Answer: Cuelebre

According to Asturian mythology, the Cuelebre was once a beautiful young maiden. Sadly, she was also vain and lazy, refusing to help with the family chores. All she wanted to do was sit by a magical pool and comb her long flowing hair. She was warned that if she did not stop the spirits of the pool would come out and curse her. Finally, one of the spirits came out of the water and cursed her, turning her into a winged dragon covered with scales.

She was sent to live in a cave for all eternity. While she was said to be immortal, she was not forever youthful and grew more ugly with age.

There are many variations to this myth and it is found in Asturian and Cantabrian mythologies.

Answer: Rendered a man's skin invincible

In Germanic lore, bathing in the blood of a dragon made a person's skin invincible. Enemies' weapons were unable to penetrate the skin and cause harm. They also believed bathing their armor provided the same protection. These beliefs are seen in the stories about the mighty Siegfried, who bathed in dragon's blood for protection, and in the story of Ortnit's impenetrable armor.

Answer: Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan lies sandwiched between India and China at the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountain chain. The Bhutanese thunder-dragon, known as the Druk, is an important part of their ancient mythology as well as the national symbol. It is depicted on the national flag, gives its name to the national airline, and the national anthem of the country translates into English as "The Kingdom of Druk".

This benevolent beast is believed to protect the country and its people from natural and man-made forces.

Answer: False

Native American mythologies have not been studied as well as their Asian, European and African counterparts. This has led to the false belief that the Americas had no dragons. Quetzalcoatl was the serpentine dragon god of the Aztec and Toltec Indians of South America.

He was believed to have created mankind, and was responsible for teaching man how to write and how to farm the land. He also taught man about music, weaving and the stars of the sky. The Hopi tribe of North America believed the water dragon Palulukon held the world on his back.

The Illini Indians believed in an evil dragon that they called Piasa. This mythological beast was believed to live in caves near rivers and was known to grab the unwary warrior as he drank and eat him for dinner.