Types of dragons, classifications, breeds, colors, nature...

Since this species includes individuals of various kinds, there are different types and classifications of dragons.

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Introduction

Dragons are a species that includes many different types of individuals. They already vary depending on myths and legends, as well as by region. Original creations in books—and especially in role-playing games—have added even more varieties to offer a wide range of monsters to fight.

The Different Types

The Elementary Ones

The first type of dragons is that of the elementals, which are classified according to three of the four elements: fire, earth, and water. Earth dragons are the most common, the largest, and breathe fire. Fire dragons live deep within volcanoes, while water dragons—which have a more serpentine appearance—live in lakes and various bodies of water.

Colors

The second classification is based on color. This is the most traditional one: there are white, blue, red, green, and black dragons, as well as so-called “metal” dragons.

White dragons are known as polar dragons. They have thick, furry skin, are massive, and guard vast territories that they are constantly expanding.

Blue dragons are more like animals. They live like eagles, with their nests perched atop mountain peaks; they are slender and are the best fliers.

Red dragons are the most famous, the largest, and the most powerful. With their short wings, they aren’t great travelers; their heads resemble those of horses, and their articulated tails serve as powerful weapons. They are highly intelligent and live in the mountains, where they hide their treasures. They are crazy about it and accumulate vast quantities of it. So wherever there’s a red dragon, there’s gold.

Green dragons are the dragons of the forests: they are friends of the elves and the forest creatures. They are agile, possess great mental powers, and can breathe fire, steam, or gas.

Black dragons, which are more sinister and malevolent, are just as sturdy as the red ones. However, they are more agile, more aggressive, and more fearsome. They live in swamps or desert regions. They are cunning, always ready to ally themselves with other creatures to achieve their goals.

Metallic, crystalline, and special

Metal dragons are divided into gold, silver, bronze, copper, and tin dragons. Their constitution gives them great strength and unique firebreathing abilities. They are never evil, having chosen the path of goodness and wisdom. The tin dragons are the weakest and most sociable; they speak more languages than their counterparts and enjoy conversation. The copper dragons are the most mischievous, yet they remain pure. The bronze dragons possess the most chivalrous spirit. Silver dragons are the most sensitive; they intervene in extreme situations and cases of injustice. Finally, gold dragons are the rarest and most noble, for they fight against the forces of evil.

Crystal dragons are less common; their bodies are made of minerals. The most famous ones are the amethyst, emerald, crystal, sapphire, and topaz dragons.

There are also more unusual dragons, such as dracoliches—ancient dragons, often evil, brought back to life through necromancy—and fairy dragons. The smallest ones are about the size of a butterfly; they live in forests and protect them.

The Chinese

When it comes to Chinese dragons, there are two classifications: one by color and one by cosmic role. The classification by color differs from the traditional one we saw earlier. It includes five dragons. The black ones, representing the North, are very ethereal and cause storms. The blue ones symbolize the East and herald the arrival of spring. The red dragons, representing the West, are associated with the pleasures of summer. Next are the white dragons, representing the South, which herald death or famine. Finally, the yellow dragons are solitary and revered because they carry people’s prayers to the gods.

In the second Chinese classification, there are nine dragons with specific names:

Tialong, the celestial dragon, pulls the gods' chariots and guards their palace.
Shenlong, the spirit dragon, controls the wind and rain.
Fucanglong, the dragon of hidden treasures, guards the precious materials buried in the earth.
Dilong, the earth dragon, watches over the rivers and dwells in the heavens in the spring and beneath the sea in the fall.
Yinglong, the winged dragon, serves Emperor Huang-Ti.
Jiaolong, the horned dragon, lives in the sea, from where he controls the floods.
Panlong, the coiled dragon, lives in lakes.
Huanglong, the Yellow Dragon, the scholar who taught people to write.
Longwang, the royal dragon, the king of the seas.