I am wondering exactly what was the inspiration for D&D dragons. It is true that many cultures have their own dragons. For example, Oriental dragons tend to be wise, noble and sinuous. Dragons in my own country's folklore (Slovak folklore) are always multi-headed and always have one of the following numbers of heads: a multiple of three (3, 6, 9, 12) heads or a multiple of seven (7, 14, 21) heads. They can also breathe fire and tend to be vicious, savage and not particularly wise or noble. I think in England dragons are also fire-breathing reptiles, but they only have one head and I don't really know any more about them.
Anyway, I am sure there are many more interpretations of dragons. Are you familiar with any others? Which dragon myths inspired the D&D crop of dragons?
Anyway, I am sure there are many more interpretations of dragons. Are you familiar with any others? Which dragon myths inspired the D&D crop of dragons?