Saint George's Day - April 23

Today is Saint George's Day, at least in England. He is probably best known for snuffing a dragon. As a child, I always heard and saw references to "Saint George and THE Dragon", leaving me to wonder if he slaughtered the last dragon, but I suspect that this is just a quirk of the English Language.

We don't know very much about that dragon, or dragons in general. but there had to be at least two on the Ark. Though they could've flown hither and yon sufficiently to give rise to the sightings all over the globe, this is unlikely. The energy needs would be horrific and food would've been quite scarce immediately after the flood. It also appears that there were once various species of dragons, perhaps as far back as the Ark itself. Not all had wings, so either there were multiple species on the Ark itself that reproduced and dispersed, or, horror of horrors, the various progeny of the original pair evolved into multiple species, at least some of which dispersed. In any event, St. George's dragon was probably not any of the dragons from Revelations (http://www.lizaphoenix.com/encyclopedia/dragon.shtml)

Insofar as they are generally depicted as being somewhat reptilian, it is likely that each species was pretty prolific. As carnivores, they would tend to disperse as juveniles. They are also reputed to live to enormous ages. Given that the one George killed was somewhere in the middle East,it more likely to be one of the originals from the Ark than the absolute last of their kind.

At any rate, Saint George became the patron saint of England somehow, so happy Saint George's Day.

And, while you're at it, consider that the site can always use funds. There are boxes for contributing in the upper left, should you feel like pitching in today.

Lastly: It is seriously unlikely that I will be here to interact when this posts. Should I fail to respond to comments, please just assume that I am out somewhere under an open sky with no signal and no regrets as to that state of affairs. Either that, or I am in some tasting room studiously focusing upon my researches. In any event, everybody have a great day.

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Lookout's picture

Until the 11th century in no story about St. George the killing of a dragon was ever mentioned: he was venerated simply as a soldier-martyr that converted infidel peoples. For this reason the traditional image that had represented him until this moment was that of a knight spearing a man, symbol of the pagan persecutor and of heresy.

https://www.foliamagazine.it/saint-george-dragon/

The fame of St. George increased throughout Europe in 1265 by publication of the Legenda Aurea (The Golden Legend) by James of Voragine, a collection of stories which included that of George and the Dragon. Actual origin of the legend of George and the Dragon is unknown. It may have been begun by the Crusaders when they returned home but was not recorded until the sixth century. St. George was a prominent figure in the secular miracle plays performed in the springs of medieval times. Some hold the story to be a christianized version of the Greek legend of Perseus said to have rescued a princess near the Lydda where St. George’s tomb is located.

https://addisabram.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/st-george-the-white-horse-an...

white-horse-hill.jpg

The horse, which can only be viewed from above or from an adjacent plateau in the
distance, is unique in its features and this leads some to believe it represents the mythical dragon that St. George slain on the adjacent Dragon hill or even his horse.
http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/mystery-white-horse...

The White horse is seen all around the area. Here's one on a foggy day -

Stonehenge trip (31).jpg

Statues are common, too. Here's one built by Italian prisoners on Orkney during WWII

1 Italian chapel (24).jpg

I love legends and lore and the period in which paganism is consumed by Christianity is rich with myth. St. George is a great example.

So happy travels el, and happy St. George day all!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

enhydra lutris's picture

@Lookout
on George the paganslayer. I may incorporate some of that in future editions.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --