Russia

• Alklha
• Chudo-Yudo
• Gorynytch
• Kashchei
• Footnotes

History: Alklha is a dragon who lived in the heavens, and he sometimes tried to swallow the sun or the moon. Sadly for Alklha, the moon and the sun were far too hot for the dragon, so he would have to regurgitate them. If there was ever a "bite" in the sun or the moon, the Buriat people would blame Alklha (and thereby take measures to prevent the consumption of the moon or sun entirely). The people also blamed the markings on the moon, which they claimed were made by Alklha's fangs when he attempted to swallow it.

The gods saw that Alklha was causing problems, so they cut him in half, throwing the bottom half of him onto the Earth. This allowed Alklha to swallow the moon or sun, but it would fall out of him now that he was no longer whole.

Symbolism: Much like Apep, Alklha was seen as the cause of the problems with the sun and moon. This could be a symbol of change, moreover the rising and setting of the sun.

Physical Description: Alklha is described as having black wings which, outspread, covered the sky, thereby disallowing any light to earth.

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History: In some tales, Kashchei is a non-dragon (wizard) creature that is much like the hag Baba Yaga (only Koshchei is male). However, just as many tales point out Kashchei to be a Russian dragon.

Kashchei's full title was "Kashchei the Deathless", for he was considered to be invulnerable. He abducted a princess as well as Marena, the goddess of death. However, his abductions are what eventually led to his demise.

He was able to keep his soul immortal by hiding it; however, when he took a beautiful young women captive, she found out where he hid his soul, in an egg. Bulat the Brave (the hero most commonly attributed with this dragon's death) was said to be the hero who was given the task of finding this egg and confronting Kashchei.

Kashchei died when Bulat smashed the egg (and thus his soul) against the dragon's own head.

Symbolism: Some mythologists say that Kashchei is a personified evil spirit pertaining to the weather. He was often connected to winter as well as death.

Physical Description: As I know it, Kashchei is a boney, snakelike dragon that stands on two legs and has two arms.

Related Articles: Dragons of Fame: Chudo-Yudo

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History: Dobrynja was warned not to swim nor bath in the river, but, after taking a long ride and being scorched by the sun, he had forgotten the warning. So, he bathed. It was then that the waters turned black, and Gorynytch appeared.

Gorynytch was a huge, three-headed dragon with seven tails. He knew that Dobrynja might kill him, but he saw that now Dobrynja was unarmed, so he attacked his foe hoping that he could rid himself of the man before it was too late.

Dobrynja searched for his armor and sword, but, since he was bathing, he did not have them with him. His horse had run off, leaving him with nothing. He did, however, manage to find his helmet. With it, he attacked the dragon so fiercely that one of the dragon's heads fell off!

Gorynytch pleaded for his life. He asked Dobrynja to spare him because he had new hatchlings that would die without them. Feeling pity for the dragon, Dobrynja allowed him to leave.

It was a mistake, as Gorynytch snatched the maiden and brought her back to his lair. The duke was utterly horrified that no one would go find his daughter. Knowing that he could have stopped the entire thing from happening, Dobrynja set out to free the maiden.

He rested for one night at his mothers house. His mother provided him with a sevenfold whip and his grandfathers horse. The horse would help to kill the hatchlings by trampling them down.

Dobrynja arrived at Gorynytch's lair and managed to kill all of the young eggs before the dragon appeared. When Gorynytch found his children dead, however, he became enraged and attack Dobrynja. The battle lasted for two days. Finally, Dobrynja used the might whip on the dragon and managed to rip off the other two heads. He remained in the dragon's blood for about three days, and he then bathed to rid himself of the possible death by venom.

Dobrynja then saved all of the dragon's captives. He found the maiden in the final cave, and he saved her.

Symbolism: The theme of the overall story is to never break a promise, but perhaps it is also something to note that the brave are rewarded.

Physical Description: Gorynytch had three heads and seven tails. He also had iron claws. He is often depicted with smoke and fire about him.

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History: Chudo-Yudo was a Russian hydra that could spew flame from his many mouths. His other power included the ability to control the weather. In times of need, he was sought out for help and good weather.

Some sources say that this dragon was a decendant of Baba Yaga, but others say that this dragon is Baba Yaga in a different form. Another family connection includes Kashchei, yet another dragon connected to Baba Yaga.

Symbolism: Unknown

Physical Description: Chudo-Yudo was said to be a large dragon with many heads.

Related Articles: Dragons of Fame: Kashchei

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1. Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
2. Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
3. Gorynytch, the dragon and Dobrynja, the heroe
4. Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose

For more information, see the Bibliography