Dragons - myth and reality

Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt - Friedensplatz 1, 64283 Darmstadt(149 m über NN)

Dragons have inspired the human imagination for thousands of years. The fascinating mythical creatures are part of the repertoire of great stories - from ancient myths to contemporary series highlights. Dragon books, games and stuffed animals can even be found in many children‘s rooms. Depending on the cultural context, very different characteristics are attributed to dragons: In European cultures, they appear as menacing creatures that combine the characteristics of snakes and predators. In China, Korea and Japan, on the other hand, the dragon has mostly positive connotations and keeps nature in balance as a cosmic force.

While East Asian mythology primarily features divine sky dragons, in antiquity we encounter the dragon above all in the heroic deeds of Hercules. In Europe, however, the terrifying image of the fire-breathing beast only emerged in the art of the Middle Ages. Here, the dragon became a symbol of evil that was overcome by good - as can be seen in the iconography of the dragon slayer. Until modern times, dragons were still regarded as real animals, but this image only changed with the advent of modern natural science: dragons were excluded from the systematics of zoology and declared to be mythical creatures. Nevertheless, today they seem more alive than ever thanks to the current fantasy culture, such as the novels by J. R. R. Tolkien or the numerous other books, films, comics and games.

 

The interdisciplinary exhibition examines dragons from both an art historical and scientific perspective. It presents outstanding European and East Asian works of art from antiquity to the present day, as well as scientific exhibits such as rare documents from the history of science, fossils millions of years old and animal specimens. This diverse panorama is complemented by digital content, a storytelling track for children, a reading corner and drawing wall as well as atmospheric audiovisual installations. Young and old alike can discover how much reality there is in the millennia-old myth of the dragon.

 

The special exhibition is the result of a cooperation between the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, the Museum Schnütgen and the Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne.

 

The exhibition will then be on display from March 4 to June 6, 2027 at the Museum Schnütgen in cooperation with the Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne.

Nächste Termine

Fr.

2

Okt. 2026

11:00 Uhr bis 17.01.2027 18:00  Uhr

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