Appreciate a Dragon Day

Appreciate a Dragon Day is celebrated on January 16 each year. We think the scales may be tipped because it is one of our favorite days.

A little history on the holiday: It was established by Donita K. Paul after she published her first fantasy novel “Dragonspell” in 2004. Whether you believe them to be real or just fantastical, it’s a day to appreciate all dragons.

Dragons are legendary creatures, and stories of them date as far back as the fourth century BCE. Some dragons are friendly, and some can be fearsome, so grab your armor and prepare to learn all about dragons.

When is Appreciate a Dragon Day?

The holiday is celebrated on January 16 each year.

How do we celebrate Appreciate a Dragon Day?

The sky’s the limit when it comes to ways of celebrating dragons. Create magical memories with these ideas.

Learn about dragons from different cultures: Krak’s Dragon (Polish Folklore), Fafnir (Norse Mythology), Yamata no Orochi (Japanese Mythology), The Fucanglong (Chinese Mythology).

Read a book that includes dragons. Here are some beloved fantasy books with dragons: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Hobbit, The Other Wind, Eragon, Dragon Flight, A Natural History of Dragons, The Neverending Story, Dragon Champion, and the Game of Thrones series.

Have fun with an art project incorporating dragons: Paint or draw dragons, create a dragon mosaic, use clay or playdough to make dragons sculptures, or make dragon puppets and put on a puppet show with kids!

Watch a movie or show with dragons such as: How to Train Your Dragon, Pete’s Dragon, Merlin, Flight of the Dragons, Mulan, Maleficent, Shrek, Dragonheart, Dragonball Z, Dragon Tales, Puff the Magic Dragon.

Listen to the song Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary or the music by Imagine Dragons.

Learn Dragonese – the language the dragons speak in the movie How to Train Your Dragon.

Write and illustrate your own dragon story or comic strip.

Take pictures of your creations or of stuffed animal dragons and make a story with the photos.

Cook a meal inspired by dragons. We recommend dragonfruit or anything charred!

Go to the zoo to see Komodo Dragons.

Play a game of Dungeons and Dragons with a group of friends.

Hide “dragon eggs” for kids to find as a treasure hunt.

Fun Facts about Dragons

The name “dragon” comes from the Latin word ‘draconem’ which means ‘huge serpent.’

Eastern dragons tend to be smaller creatures, with no wings, and are friendly.

The Ancient Japanese believed that dragons were water gods.

Iceland’s coat of arms has a dragon on it.

The komodo dragon and the thorny devil lizard are existing reptiles that have dragon-like features.

In many legends, dragons can also breathe ice.

Dragons can live in caves, mountains, or water.

The many-headed Hydra is considered a dragon.

“Here there be dragons” were warnings placed on ancient maps for explorers to take heed.

Dragons from Mythology Video

Instagram Captions for Dragons

Use these captions to capture the mystique of dragons:

Burn, Baby Burn!

If you can’t take the heat, don’t poke the dragon.

Dragons are for real.

Mother of Dragons.

Dragons don’t believe in you either.

Scaley not Scary!

The Tail of the Dragon.

So many village idiots; so few dragons.

Everything melts in your mouth when you’re a dragon.

Fired Up!

Dragon Tales.

Never tickle a sleeping dragon.

Hashtags for Dragons

Add these hashtags to your captions where they make sense.

#AppreciateaDragonDay

#Slay

#Heatison

#Lit

#Winginit

#Dracarys

#Dragonontheloose

#Dragonon

#Legendary

#Mystical

#Imagine

Dragon Jokes

Why are dragons the worst storytellers?
They are always dragon.

Why do dragons hate birthdays?
They can never blow out their birthday candles.

Why are dragons so good at music?
They really know their scales.

Why do dragons sleep during the day?
So they can fight the knights.

What happens when a dragon is tired of eating strip steaks?
Flaming Yawn.

Two Dragons walk into a bar.
1st dragon: It’s hot in here.
2nd dragon:Keep your mouth shut!

Dragon Joke Meme

FAQs about Dragons

Why are some dragons depicted as kind and some fearsome?

Dragons can be symbols of good, evil, or both. We can see a big difference in a dragon’s characteristics depending on where the story originates. Eastern and Western cultures view dragons differently.

In Eastern culture, dragons are smaller. They are depicted as kind and caring. They are friends with humans and protect gods and treasures. Instead of roaring, they can sound like musical gongs and bells.

In Western culture, dragons are usually large creatures with green scales and red wings. They are known as greedy and hide treasures. They are thought to be fearsome and something to conquer.

How did legends with dragons begin?

When ancient peoples found massive dinosaur skeletons, they may have thought the bones were remains of dragons and began telling stories about them.

Why are dragons so popular?

Dragons have a permanent seat at the fantasy table. Their long history in stories and mythology has rooted them in cultural beliefs and practices. They are similar enough to snakes that we can relate a realistic feeling while still using our imagination to step outside the current world.

Dragon Quotes

Oh well, what’s life without a few dragons?
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Our biggest fears are like dragons guarding our deepest treasures.
Rainer Maria Rilke

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dragonswan

I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, myths, and dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now?
John Lennon

People who do not believe in the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons.
Ursula K. Le Guin, The Wave in the Mind

A life fueled by passions is like riding on the back of a dragon.
Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun

So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings.
J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Confidence is similar to a dragon: for every head cut off, two more heads grow back.
Criss Jami, Venus in Arms

Come not between the dragon and his wrath.
William Shakespeare, King Lear

Thanks for daring to read about dragons! Choose your favorite way to celebrate and fly with it, then share your enthusiasm about Appreciate a Dragon Day.

By Lauren Whitacre

Lauren writes about entertainment, celebrations, and pop culture.

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