What Dragons Really Meant in Ancient Mythology w/ Dave Stone

Dragons appear in almost every culture, but were they always the frightening creatures we imagine today?In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, Rachel Patterson chats with stone carver, artist, and author Dave Stone about the deeper history of dragons and serpent stories. Drawing on mythology, archaeology, folklore, and his own experiences, Dave shares what he discovered while writing his latest book and explores why dragons continue to fascinate us.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why dragon myths appear in cultures across the world• The connection between dragons, serpents, wells, rivers, and sacred waters• How dragons became demonised in many religious traditions• Why dragons may originally have been symbols of nature, place, and animistic belief• The hidden meaning behind dragon slayer myths such as Apollo and Python, Marduk and Tiamat, and St George and the Dragon• How dragon symbolism survived despite religious and cultural change• The role of dragons in Chinese, Celtic, Greek, Slavic, and Mesopotamian traditions• Why dragons can be viewed as powerful symbols of environmental awareness and connection to the land• The fascinating links between serpent lore, household spirits, and ancient Pagan practices• Dave's experiences visiting Delphi and the legendary cave associated with the PythonRachel and Dave explore patterns in mythology, from sacred springs and mountain caves to household serpents and dragon-slaying heroes. They discuss animism, the spirit of place, hidden environmental themes in old stories, and the ways dragons are connected to the land.Whether you see dragons as mythological creatures, spiritual allies, guardians of nature, or symbols of wild forces, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of the world's oldest myths.