dragoni

Dragoni is the Italian word for dragons, mythical creatures that appear in a wide range of cultures. In standard Italian, the general term for a dragon is drago, with the plural draghi. The form dragone is also used in Italian to denote a grand or noble dragon, and its plural dragoni. The word dragoni therefore commonly denotes dragon figures in Italian-language literature and folklore, as well as in contemporary fantasy.

Across European and other mythologies, dragons are typically large reptilian beings that may fly and breathe fire, though depictions vary. In Italian folklore and medieval romances, dragoni appear as guardians of treasure, dangers to heroes, or symbolic forces tied to landscapes such as mountains or caves. Like many dragon traditions, they embody tensions between danger and power, and between chaos and protection.

In modern Italian media and popular culture, dragoni are widespread in novels, comics, cinema, and role-playing games, often drawing on broader dragon lore while incorporating local motifs. Scholarly discussions distinguish between traditional folklore dragons, literary dragons, and fantasy creatures used for entertainment, noting regional variations in temperament and symbolism. The topic also intersects with comparisons to dragon traditions in other languages and cultures, particularly the East Asian dragon as a contrasting symbol.