# what are the motives of dragons? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 30, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770 "2003-12-30T15:00:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![excaudate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@excaudate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excaudate)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/1 "2003-12-30T15:00:25Z")
tolkien et al. fantasy writers were smart men, so what did they think that dragons (e.g. smog) needed with all that gold? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/2 "2003-12-30T15:08:37Z")
They didn’t care. The fact that dragons hoarded gold was a given and it was completely unnecessary to give them a reason to do it. It’s known as “fiction.” Look it up. Though I do like “Smog” the dragon. Quite appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/3 "2003-12-30T15:12:51Z")
Need? What does _need_ have to do with it? Dragons don’t need gold. They _want_ it. The dragon is greed personified. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/4 "2003-12-30T15:22:47Z")
I’m visualizing a Fell Beast (I know, I know, it’s not strictly a dragon!) standing in front of Peter Jackson and asking, “Now, what exactly is my motivation in this scene?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/5 "2003-12-30T16:20:07Z")
Traditionally, dragons are known for hoarding gold. The reasons are unclear in folklore; generally, greed is held to be the main reason. Dragons were traditionally considered to be symbols of evil, uncleanliness, darkness, after all. St. George’s killing of the dragon was considered symbolic of the conversion of the area to Christianity. In recent years, fantasy authors have attempted to explain this. Alan Dean Foster, in the excellent short story “Wu-Ling’s Folly” postulates that gold is a necessary ingredient in a dragon’s diet. Gordon Dickson, in “The Dragon And The George” remarks that dragons do it to impress other dragons. It’s a kind of “keeping up with the Joneses” sort of thing. And, although I forget the author and story name, I seem to recall reading one tale where the dragons accumulate gold, gems, and other shiny stuff to use in their mating rituals, like a bowerbird. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/6 "2003-12-30T16:24:01Z")
it’s because they lack confidence in the economy. That’s the same reason dragons hoard bonds. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/7 "2003-12-30T16:38:07Z")
Dragon, as every schoolboy knows, were the last of the dinosaurs. This branch of the family had an overactive stomach that produced too much acid. As a result, they needed gold and jewels to sit in their crops to help them grind food. To relieve themselves of excess gas, they could burp hydrogen, sometime producing impressive flames. If they retained the gas, some dragons could spread their modified ribcages to act as wings. As a result some could fly in a clumsy manner. The best way to kill a dragon is of course to puncture the thin skin of the underbelly. Unprotected as it was, the acid and explosive gas would vent to the atmosphere. The dragon’s body was destroyed by the chemical reaction, leaving only the treasure in his crop. The fact that there are no fossils of dragons is of course all the proof we need of their existence. ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/8 "2003-12-30T16:46:00Z")
You made me think of this **Master Wang-Ka** > [@](#): > > Dragon: Haaay, I’m de’ fire breathin’ dragon. You must be St. George, right? > > St. George: Yes sir. > > Dragon: I see you got one ‘a them new .45 caliber swords. > > St. George: That’s about the size of it. > > Dragon: (laughing nastily) You slay me! > > St. George: That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. > > Dragon: Wha’dya mean? > > St. George: I’m taking you in on a 502. You figure it out. > > Dragon: What’s the charge? > > St. George: Devouring maidens out of season. > > Dragon: Out ‘a season?? You’ll never pin that rap on me!! Do you hear me, _cop_?!! > > St. George: Yeah. I hear ya’. I got you on a 412, too. > > Dragon (shouting): A 412??!! What’s a 412???!!! > > St. George: Overacting. Let’s go. > > ‘Dragnet’ trial music > > Narrator: On September the 5th the dragon was tried and convicted. His fire was put out, and his maiden devouring license revoked. Maiden devouring out of season is punishable by a term of not less than 50 or more than 300 years. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/9 "2003-12-30T17:41:24Z")
Truly, don’t we _all_ aspire to a dragon’s bling bling lifestyle? ---
**Author:** ![gcarroll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/65b543/32.png) [@gcarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gcarroll)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/10 "2003-12-30T20:09:08Z")
According to Tokien\* (who should know), it was “to keep them respectable.” \*Cite: Farmer Giles of Ham, a slightly lesser known work. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/11 "2003-12-30T20:49:09Z")
Dragons were also associated by some with the underworld, which is where gold and gems originate. Besides, it makes a good reward for killing them. Hard to attract a professional dragon-slayer without a good reward. And you know that they live in hidden underground lairs, because otherwise you’d see them about, what with their size and all. I like Paul in Saudi’s theories. Well thought out. Plausible. If he’d just add the bit about the lairs, he could prove that they still exist. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/12 "2003-12-30T20:57:59Z")
Dragons (Smaug included) hoard gold for many reasons: 1. Dragons are naturally greedy, but they also crave the power and status that comes with wealth. Gold can be used to bribe people, buy off opponents, pay for mercenaries. 2. Dragons are large and can overheat, especially after breathing fire. Lying in gold is like taking a cool bath. 3. Dragons live many years, and gold is more stable than short term investments like stocks or currency. 4. Gold has an aesthetic value that dragons enjoy (money itself may be beautiful). Paper money and deeds also tend to be somewhat flammable. 5. Gold enhances the aesthetic value of the dragon (beautiful surroundings make the dragon look better). Gold is shiny, dragon scales can be too. Kind of a high-class waterbed. 6. Maybe dragons eat the stuff; I doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/13 "2003-12-30T21:19:34Z")
**Skulldigger** ’s analysis of why dragons hoard gold: “To keep it away from the leprechauns, why else?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/14 "2003-12-30T22:33:37Z")
They use it like a worm on a hook. Dragons hoard treasure to use it as a lure. It draws men, which are crunchy and taste good with ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Serpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@Silver\_Serpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Serpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/15 "2003-12-30T22:38:08Z")
Well, they’re just overgrown birds. And we all know how much ravens love shiny things. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/16 "2003-12-30T23:02:54Z")
By hoarding gold, dragons were able to keep the market price artificially inflated. De Beers does much the same with diamonds nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/17 "2003-12-30T23:09:09Z")
The gold is a symbol. Everything in fiction is a symbol. Except a cymbal. That’s just a pun. ---
**Author:** ![carver42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc8723/32.png) [@carver42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carver42)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/18 "2003-12-30T23:15:10Z")
Joseph Campbell talked about the two major types of Dragons in the world. The western world dragon is greedy. They hord gold and VIRGINS :eek: . Both of which the dragon has no use for, they just lust. The eastern world dragons represent life force, good luck, … You have seen them in the Chineese New Years parades. Do you think that says anything about eastern vs western societies, at least on the philosophical front? ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/19 "2003-12-30T23:31:23Z")
Well, from my book on Dragonology, [www.dragonology.com](http://www.dragonology.com) Basically, they have a soft, unarmoured “Achilles spot” on their bellies, laying on jewels causes some to embed themselves in the skin and provide protection for that vulnerable spot. Dragons who adopted this hoarding behaviour survived to procreate, the ones that didn’t died out, and so all dragons now hoard. Interestingly, the courting behaviour of dragons requires the male to bring the female a particularly large and impressive jewel in order to win her favour. Sound familiar? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770/20 "2003-12-31T02:13:18Z")
Actually, with the OQ being “What are the motives of dragons?” I’m surirpsed that nobody has posed a link to Fafnir’s _motif_ (pl. _motives_) in Wagner’s Nibelungenlied cycle. \*Yours for cultchah, Poly\* [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-motives-of-dragons/221770.md?page=2)