The Dragon Specie: Hydra

Hydras: What are they?


A Hydra (hi-drah) is another dragon specie. It is considered as a dragon because it very much resembles a large serpent. Hydras, unlike other dragons, do not breath fire. They are dragons with multiple necks and heads. They may or may not possess wings or legs.

This creature had been most popularly known as one of the monters that Hercules faced according to Norse/Greek Mythology. The hydra he faced was said to have 8 heads and that everytime he slashes a head, two more heads take its place. Hercules was only able to defeat the hydra when he learned the secret on how it wouldn't grow heads again and it was by burning the slashed part witha torch. Another story of a Hydra in Greek mythology is about Jason who defeated the creature to get the Golden Fleece.

According to Norse/Greek mythology, hydras came from the ancient city of Lerna in Argolis where it caused a lot of fear and chaos. It was said to be the offspring of Echidna, which is a half serpent and half maiden, and Typhon, a monster that had one hundred heads. Echidna and Typhon were both creatures of the Goddess Hera, who chose the Hydra to be the monster to slay Hercules. Alas, the Hydra was unsuccessful.

Aside from the ability to grow two more heads when one is slashed, the stench of its breath is enough to kill a man or a beast, which in other versions is said to possess venom.

Since the Hydra was said to be defeated by Hercules as one of his 12 labours, it had earned a place in the sky and was made into a constellation. When the sun is in the sign of Cancer (the Crab), the Hydra's head is said to be nearby. Both the Hydra and the Crab were slewn by Hercules.

PICTURES OF HYDRA:



SOURCES:
www.draconian.com
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hydra.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lernaean_Hydra