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Know Your Dragons:

Medieval and Bestiary Dragon Tiles

There are now three pages of dragons, due to overcrowding. Other dragons:

Ancient Dragons and Victorian and Folklore Dragons

Dragon tile backsplash

Dragon Tile Backsplash in
Washington, DC Victorian row house

But it is one thing to read about dragons and another to meet them. ~Ursula K. Le Guin

You might also be interested in The Installation of the Dragons.

About the Bestiary Dragons

Dragons exist in every culture and on six of the seven continents (that we know). The dragons in this tile set are medieval and bestiary dragons, with some overlap.

One of my favorite bestiaries with dragons featured on this page is the Liber Floridus (Book of Flowers): The Liber Floridus is not a proper bestiary. It is a compendium from 192 other tracts that was compiled between 1090 and 1120 by Lambert of St. Omer. Most of the Liber Floridus dragons here are from the 1460 version. The Liber Floridus is not Lambert's only work, however, and you will find dragons attributed to him that are not Liber Floridus dragons.

These Dragons have migrated as far as Japan, Norway, Tasmania, London, both coasts of Canada, Belgium, and throughout the United States. Each dragon is described, briefly below.

Important! Other Dragons, and their Friends

Some dragons have moved, due to the sheer number of dragons:

Ancient and World dragons.

Post-Medieval and Victorian Dragons.

A particularly interesting bestiary is The Bestiary of Anne Walshe: A Latin bestiary of English origin, this bestiary, or Book of Beasts was produced in the early 15th century, roughtly 1400-1425. Anne must have been a well-to-do young lady to have such a book made for her. Unlike most bestiaries of the time, it has no gold edges. Anne was clearly studying as she made her own notes on the pages of her bestiary, with some endearing misspellings. You will find her red dragon and cocktrice (only very tangentially a dragon) on this page. But dragon are a small part of Anne's bestiary; others creatures, such as the dangerous bonnacon, can be found in The Bestiary of Anne Walshe.

Bestiary Dragons

False prophet, Apocapytic dragon and beast, with frogs coming out of their mouths. British Library, early 15th century.

Wells Apocalypse: False prophet, Apocapytic dragon and beast, with frogs coming out of their mouths. British Library, early 15th century.

Rutland Psalter three-headed Dragon, 13th century

Three-headed dragon, Rutland Psalter, 13th century

Wedding feast dragon, early Roman codex

Wedding feast, Early Roman codex

Wedding feast, Part 2: Stolen kisses.  Early Roman codex

Stolen kisses, Early Roman codex

Historia Plantarum dragon, first Latin translation, circa 1483

Historia Plantarum dragon, first Latin translation, circa 1483

Seven-headed dragon of the Apocalpyse, Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 15th Century, Italy

Seven-headed dragon of the Apocalpyse, Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 15th Century, Italy

Harley Bestiary manuscript dragon

Harley Bestiary manuscript dragon

Early medieval dragon

Early medieval dragon with foliage tail

Early Cubist dragon, Amiens, 12th c.

Early Cubist dragon, Amiens, 12th c.

Single-horned unicorn, Meermano, Netherlands

Single-horned unicorn, Meermano, Netherlands

Hungry and remorseful dragons, c. 1000 A.D.

Hungry and remorseful dragons, c. 1000 A.D.

Dragon kisses, Chantilly, Musée Condé

Dragon kisses, Chantilly, Musée Condé

Love's sweet kiss, French breviary 13th century

Love's sweet kiss, French breviary 13th cent.

Conception of Alexander the Great. Tempera on parchment, 1468

Conception of Alexander the Great. Tempera on parchment, 1468

Two red dragons from the bestiary of Ludwig III, 9th century

Two red dragons from the bestiary of Ludwig III, 9th century

Liber Floridus dragon with tail ornament

Liber Floridus dragon with tail ornament

Middle Wyvern

Middle Wyvern with matching tongue and tail

Three horned dragons, appearing to hitchhike

Three horned dragons, appearing to hitchhike

Aberdeen bestiary amphisbaena wearing pearls.

Aberdeen bestiary Amphisbaena wearing pearls.

More about the Amphisbaena

Not a true dragon, the self-reflective Amphisbaena has two heads. The amphisbaena can move in two directions.

According to myth, the aphisbaena was spawned from the dripping blood of Medusa when Perseus, after beheading her, flew over the Libyan desert. Amphisbaena fans feature in the poetry of John Milton, Shelley, Tennyson, Houseman, and Alexander Pope and the writing of Pliny the Elder and Isidore of Seville.

The amphisbaena has a twin head, that is one at the tail end as well, as though it were not enough for poison to be poured out of one mouth. ~Pliny the Elder

Early striped basilisk with the three controllers of the universe

Early striped basilisk with the three controllers of the universe

13th century red-headed bird-like dragons, Northern France

13th century red-headed bird-like dragons, Northern France

Lieber Floridus dragon, with Noah's ark

Lieber Floridus dragon, with Noah's ark

The Lambton Worm of Durham

Lambton Worm of Durham. The worm is wrap itself around Penshaw Hill three times.

Single French Vouivre dragon with ring of magic, signature of Cranch the Elder, 1514

Single French Vouivre dragon with ring of magic, signature of Cranach the Elder 1514

Horus Deliciarum seven-headed dragon illustration the Revelation of St. John 1185 A.D.

Horus Deliciarum seven-headed dragon illustration the Revelation of St. John, 1185 A.D.

Ninth century German dragon with spiral growth curve

Ninth century German dragon with spiral growth curve

Red dragon of Wales from the coat of arms of Henry VII

Red dragon of Wales from the coat of arms of Henry VII

Late middle ages basilisk in flight

Later blue-winged basilisk in flight

Happy red-winged dragon from the Morgan library bestiary

Happy red-winged dragon from the Morgan library bestiary

Lambert St. Omer dragon constellation with ursa major and minor Lambert St. Omer dragon constellation with ursa major and minor

Ten-horned Apocalypse Dragon from the Liber Floridus Medieval Encyclopedia 1090-1120 A.D.

Ten-horned Apocalypse Dragon from the Liber Floridus Medieval Encyclopedia 1090-1120 A.D.

Harley bestiary dragon, with human head Harley bestiary dragon, with human head

Striped basilisk with dog face

Early Striped Basilisk with dog face

Hugh de Fouillay dragon, 12th century, France

Hugh de Fouillay dragon, 12th century, France

Wyvern from the Bestiary of Anne Walsh

Wyvern from the Bestiary of Anne Walsh

Ulisse Aldrovani dragon from Serpentum et Draconum, pub. 1640, Italian

Ulisse Aldrovani dragon from Serpentum et Draconum, pub. 1640, Italian

Apocalypse dragon spewing water, from the Yates Thompson Apocalypse, Paris, c. 1370-c. 1390

Apocalypse dragon spewing water, from the Yates Thompson Apocalypse, Paris, c. 1370-c. 1390

Cockatrice, a dragon produced from a cock's egg with a deadly glance. Only a weasel can kill a cockatrice. Bestiary of Anne Walshe, 15th century

Cockatrice, a dragon produced from a cock's egg with a deadly glance. Only a weasel can kill a cockatrice. Bestiary of Anne Walshe, 15th century

Franco-Flemish dragon, last quarter of 13th century; Dragon from Jacob van Mearlant bestiary, 14th century Flanders.

Franco-Flemish dragon, last quarter of 13th century; Dragon from Jacob van Mearlant bestiary, 14th century Flanders.

Seven-headed dragon of the Apocalpyse, Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 15th Century, Italy

Seven-headed dragon of the Apocalpyse, Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 15th Century, Italy

Dragon-eating dragon

And now, a dragon-eating dragon

Medieval dragon with antlers and something growing out of his hat

Medieval dragon with antlers and something growing out of his hat

Sleepwalker surprising a Shocked Wyvern

Sleepwalker surprising a Shocked Wyvern

Dragon at lunch, Tudor bestiary, 1520

Dragon at lunch, Tudor bestiary, 1520

Dragon from the Bestiary of the young Anne Walshe, circa 1425

Dragon from the Bestiary of the young Anne Walshe, circa 1425

Liber Floridus, Dragon section title

Liber Floridus, Dragon section title

Three-headed dragon coming in for a landing

Three-headed dragon coming in for a landing

Blue dragon with flourishes from Harley bestiary

Blue dragon with flourishes from Harley bestiary

Dancing dragon from Il Libri de Diavolo, Codex Gigas Eight Century

Dancing dragon from Il Libri de Diavolo, Codex Gigas Eighth Century

"Amen" dragon from Book of Hours, Bruges, c. 1500, dragon vomiting fire into a spittoon

Cockatrice, Tudor Bestiary, 1520

Cockatrice, Tudor Bestiary, 1520

Red dragon with stars: Ptolemy Almagest Draco Constellation, 1690

Red dragon with stars: Ptolemy Almagest Draco Constellation, 1690

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We men dream dreams, we work magic, we do good, we do evil. The dragons do not dream. They are dreams. They do not work magic: it is their substance, their being. They do not do; they are. Ursula K. Le Guin

Dragon Specifications

Title: Dragons

Tile: tumbled marble stone

Size: 6 inch square tiles (15.4 cm)

Thickness: 3/8 inch (1 cm)

Weight: 22 ounces (.62 kg) each tile

*Also available in 4 inch tiles

Pricing

4-inch Dragons: $68

6-inch Dragons: $77

Prices do not include shipping costs, or additional services such as sealing.

Related Pages

Ancient dragons

Post-Medieval and Victorian Dragons

Medieval Bestiary of Anne Walshe (the only children's bestiary, having belonged to a young girl in the 15th century)

Even More Dragons

Ancient and World Dragons

Due to overcrowding, Ancient and World dragons have moved to their own page: Ancient and World Dragons.

Post-Medieval Dragons

Post-medieval to Victorian Folklore Dragons have taken up residence on their own page: Post-Medieval to Victorian Folklore Dragons.

Installed dragon tiles, basilisk

Striped basilisk

Know Your Dragons