If it wasn’t clear in the thread title, I mean the stegosaurus-like protrusions along the spine, as our buddy Spyro sports.
Looking for images of “St. George and the Dragon,” that dragon always seems to be naked along the back.
Did it come about because of stegosaurs? Or, does anybody know of an older dragon with those things?
Many modern lizards have dorsal spines of some sort and were incorporated into some of the old dragon designs.
In particular, take a look at this fellow.
Some of the modern dragon pictures (such as the very cool Dungeons and Dragons art) have thinner spines. I guess dragons are evolving. Now if I can only find some to test my theories out on!
I think you guys got it.
If I may hijack a little - why are dragon’s heads shaped as they are?
Because it makes them look cool and evil.
Actually, the spines seem to be relatively recent:
http://www.paintedchurch.org/brougbge.htm
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/liberal_arts/foreign/russian/icons/george-dragon.html
Our dragon doesn’t have dorsal spines, although she is spiny. And she can be fairly evil when she’s in a bad mood.
