Let’s Talk About Dragons

Published June 23, 2026

by Nicole Aisling

As a writer who loves dragons (and even has a series about them) I’ve been thrilled to see the resurgence in popularity. Dragons have appeared in many classic fantasy novels, from Tolkein’s The Hobbit to the hugely successful Dragonriders of Pern, which influenced how dragons are portrayed in many novels today. Pern was the first (that I’m aware of) to show dragons as having psychic bonds with their riders, a trope that has appeared in many other stories.

Dragons appear in all branches of fantasy. Epic fantasy (The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon), historical fantasy (Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series), even urban fantasy (Tea With the Black Dragon by R.A. MacAvoy). They’re targeted at all age ranges, from young readers to YA to adult. No matter what age category you enjoy, what flavor of magic, you can find a dragon book.

A World of Variety

So why are dragons so popular in fiction? Is it because they’re dangerous? Majestic? Because they can fly? I think writers find all these traits appealing, but dragons also offer so much versatility to authors, allowing us to utilize or alter the legend in a way that works best for the story. Dragons appear in legends throughout various cultures across the world, all with wildly different attributes. They might live underground or in cliffside aeries or in the sea. They could have four legs, two, or no legs at all. They can be massive—the size of mountains—or as small as a housecat. They can be scaly or feathered, friendly or malicious, fire-breathing or possessing any number of other powers.

With so much variety, it’s no wonder hundreds of authors have adapted dragons to fit their narrative. There’s nothing I love more than fresh takes on old legends. My own dragons from Soul Keepers are horse-sized, with lizard-like skin and feathered wings. They don’t breathe fire, but the spikes on their tails produce sparks when struck against rock. They’re said to have a “fire inside them,” allowing them to survive cold mountain winters. The children’s series How to Train Your Dragon features a wide array of dragon species with vastly different attributes, from tiny fire-breathing dragons to massive ones that spit acid instead of fire. Makiia Lucier’s Dragonfruit features sea dragons inspired by Pacific Island mythology.

Of all the dragons that appear in mythology, one of my favorites is the Chinese dragon. These dragons, with their long, serpentine body, are associated with good fortune. Dragons are powerful, wise, and regal. They can be found in bodies of water, sometimes shown to have control over water and weather, differing from the European fire-breathing dragon often found in caves. I love dragons being shown as good, rather than a monster in need of slaying.

Note: Dragons/worlds inspired heavily by cultures different from your own should be handled with care. Do research, hire sensitivity readers, and ask yourself if you’re the right person to tell that story.

A History as Old as Writing Itself

Depictions of dragonesque creatures with four legs, horns, and a forked tongue appear in Mesopotamian artwork. Known as the Mušḫuššu, images of the wingless creature date back to over 6000 years ago. Chinese dragons date just as far back, first appearing as a more snake-like creature. These images evolved over time, transforming into more familiar dragons we see in modern-day work.

The legend of dragons clearly pre-dates written stories, existing in images and verbal stories passed through generations. One of the first known depictions of dragons in a written work (especially European) is in the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. The precise time of the poem’s composition is unknown, but most date it back to the fifth or sixth century. The dragon shares many traits we see in popular fiction today: a lizard-like, fire-breathing, treasure-hoarding beast. It was the first of many stories of brave heroes slaying monstrous dragons. But dragons in stories have evolved far beyond this villainous role.

Dragons as Plot Tools

Dragons can be enemies, they can be friends, they can be plot tools. Sometimes they cause more problems for the author than the characters. Trust me, being able to fly solves a lot of obstacles, which is an issue when you’re trying to create conflict. I had to injure one of my dragons to make the plot of my second book work. In modern works, dragons allied with people–often bonding with their rider–seem favored over dangerous enemies, though I personally love a story where dragons are perceived as monsters but are revealed to be misunderstood.

In some stories, dragons are central to the worldbuilding and plot. Tui T. Sutherland’s middle-grade series Wings of Fire is about dragons–in fact, there are no human characters. In others, they only appear briefly, as in Brandon Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea. Kiersten Michele (a Colorado author!) has a book called “Dragon Gods” where the dragons have disappeared from the world. So, while their presence is minimal, they are massively important to the plot. (Minor spoiler: This changes in the sequel.)

However you want to utilize dragons for your story, the options are infinite. The rules boil down to vaguely lizard- or serpent-shaped. That’s about it. They usually have wings, but not necessarily, especially sea dragons. Let your imagination run wild and see where it leads.

Nicole Aisling is equal parts biology nerd, animal lover, and story enthusiast. She studied biology in college, but an incurable thirst for knowledge led her astray to philosophy and psychology classes, which inspired stories like her debut, Chasing Nightmares. She loves merging magic with science, creating worlds grounded in physics and biology… but still fantastical. You can learn more about her books at https://nicoleaisling.com or follow her on Instagram @nicoleaisling.author