Angel vs. Dragon — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 17, 2024
An angel is a benevolent celestial being often depicted as a messenger of God, while a dragon is a mythical creature usually portrayed as a powerful, fire-breathing beast.
Difference Between Angel and Dragon
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An angel is typically seen as a divine, benevolent being, often associated with goodness, purity, and serving as a messenger of God. Angels are usually depicted with wings, halos, and a human-like form. A dragon, on the other hand, is a legendary creature often depicted as a large, serpentine or reptilian beast. Dragons are usually portrayed as powerful and fearsome, capable of breathing fire, and possessing great strength and wisdom.
Angels are often symbols of protection, guidance, and divine intervention. They are believed to help humans and act as intermediaries between God and humanity. Dragons, however, are frequently depicted as symbols of chaos, destruction, and power. In some cultures, dragons are also seen as guardians of treasures and represent strength and good fortune.
In literature and media, angels are frequently depicted as virtuous and heroic, embodying ideals of justice and mercy. Dragons can be either antagonistic, representing challenges and dangers to be overcome, or benevolent, symbolizing guardianship and wisdom, depending on the cultural context.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Benevolent, celestial being
Mythical, often fearsome creature
Depiction
Human-like with wings and halos
Large, serpentine or reptilian, breathes fire
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Symbolism
Protection, purity, divine guidance
Power, chaos, guardianship
Cultural Presence
Religious texts (Christianity, Judaism, Islam)
Mythologies and folklore (European, Asian)
Role in Media
Virtuous, heroic
Antagonistic or wise guardian
Compare with Definitions
Angel
A person of exemplary conduct or virtue.
He is an angel for his selfless volunteer work.
Dragon
A symbol of power and strength in various cultures.
The dragon tattoo represented his bravery.
Angel
A figure in art and literature often depicted with wings.
The painting featured an angel watching over the city.
Dragon
A legendary beast often guarding treasures.
The hero set out to slay the dragon and claim the gold.
Angel
An angel is a supernatural being in various religions. The theological study of angels is known as angelology.
Dragon
A creature of folklore and mythology with varying traits.
In Chinese mythology, dragons are considered auspicious.
Angel
A spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God, conventionally represented in human form with wings and a long robe
The Angel of Death
God sent an angel to talk to Gideon
Dragon
A dragon is a large, serpentine, legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as winged, horned, four-legged, and capable of breathing fire.
Angel
A person of exemplary conduct or virtue
Their parents think they are angels
I know I'm no angel
Dragon
See Draco2.
Angel
A person who supports a business financially, typically one who invests private capital in a small or newly established enterprise
The longer it takes you to get your product into the marketplace, the longer it will be until the angels get their money back
Dragon
A mythical monster traditionally represented as a gigantic reptile having a long tail, sharp claws, scaly skin, and often wings.
Angel
A former English coin minted between the reigns of Edward IV and Charles I and bearing the figure of the archangel Michael killing a dragon.
Dragon
Any of various lizards, such as the Komodo dragon or the flying lizard.
Angel
An aircraft's altitude (often used with a numeral indicating thousands of feet)
We rendezvous at angels nine
Dragon
A fiercely vigilant or intractable person.
Angel
An unexplained radar echo.
Dragon
Something very formidable or dangerous.
Angel
A typically benevolent celestial being that acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth, especially in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism.
Dragon
(Archaic) A large snake or serpent.
Angel
A representation of such a being, especially in Christianity, conventionally in the image of a human figure with a halo and wings.
Dragon
A legendary serpentine or reptilian creature.
Angel
Angels(Christianity) The last of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology. From the highest to the lowest in rank, the orders are
Seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations or dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels.
Dragon
In Western mythology, a gigantic beast, typically reptilian with leathery bat-like wings, lion-like claws, scaly skin and a serpent-like body, often a monster with fiery breath.
Angel
A guardian spirit or guiding influence.
Dragon
In Eastern mythology, a large, snake-like monster with the eyes of a hare, the horns of a stag and the claws of a tiger, usually beneficent.
Angel
A kind and lovable person.
Dragon
An animal of various species that resemble a dragon in appearance:
Angel
One who manifests goodness, purity, and selflessness.
Dragon
(obsolete) A very large snake; a python.
Angel
A financial backer of an enterprise, especially a dramatic production or a political campaign.
Dragon
Any of various agamid lizards of the genera Draco, Physignathus or Pogona.
Angel
An incorporeal and sometimes divine messenger from a deity, or other divine entity, often depicted in art as a youthful winged figure in flowing robes.
Dragon
A Komodo dragon.
Angel
(Abrahamic tradition) One of the lowest order of such beings, below virtues.
Dragon
The constellation Draco.
Angel
A person having the qualities attributed to angels, such as purity or selflessness.
Thanks for making me breakfast in bed, you little angel.
Dragon
(pejorative) A fierce and unpleasant woman; a harridan.
She’s a bit of a dragon.
Angel
(obsolete) Attendant spirit; genius; demon.
Dragon
The (historical) Chinese empire or the People's Republic of China.
Napoleon already warned of the awakening of the Dragon.
Angel
An official (a bishop, or sometimes a minister) who heads a Christian church, especially a Catholic Apostolic Church.
Dragon
(figuratively) Something very formidable or dangerous.
Angel
(historical) An English gold coin, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael, circulated between the 15th and 17th centuries, and varying in value from six shillings and eightpence to ten shillings.
Dragon
A type of playing-tile (red dragon, green dragon, white dragon) in the game of mahjong.
Angel
An altitude, measured in thousands of feet.
Dragon
A luminous exhalation from marshy ground, seeming to move through the air like a winged serpent.
Angel
An unidentified flying object detected by air traffic control radar.
Dragon
A short musket hooked to a swivel attached to a soldier's belt; so called from a representation of a dragon's head at the muzzle.
Angel
(finance) An angel investor.
Dragon
A background process similar to a daemon.
Angel
(theater) The person who funds a show.
Dragon
A variety of carrier pigeon.
Angel
(informal) A person who has Angelman syndrome.
Dragon
(slang) A transvestite man, or more broadly a male-to-female transgender person.
Angel
To support by donating money.
Dragon
A fabulous animal, generally represented as a monstrous winged serpent or lizard, with a crested head and enormous claws, and regarded as very powerful and ferocious.
The dragons which appear in early paintings and sculptures are invariably representations of a winged crocodile.
Thou breakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.
Angel
A messenger.
The dear good angel of the Spring,The nightingale.
Dragon
A fierce, violent person, esp. a woman.
Angel
A spiritual, celestial being, superior to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God's messengers.
O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope,Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings.
Dragon
A constellation of the northern hemisphere figured as a dragon; Draco.
Angel
One of a class of "fallen angels;" an evil spirit; as, the devil and his angels.
Dragon
A luminous exhalation from marshy grounds, seeming to move through the air as a winged serpent.
Angel
A minister or pastor of a church, as in the Seven Asiatic churches.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write.
Dragon
A short musket hooked to a swivel attached to a soldier's belt; - so called from a representation of a dragon's head at the muzzle.
Angel
Attendant spirit; genius; demon.
Dragon
A small arboreal lizard of the genus Draco, of several species, found in the East Indies and Southern Asia. Five or six of the hind ribs, on each side, are prolonged and covered with weblike skin, forming a sort of wing. These prolongations aid them in making long leaps from tree to tree. Called also flying lizard.
Angel
An appellation given to a person supposed to be of angelic goodness or loveliness; a darling.
When pain and anguish wring the brow,A ministering angel thou.
Dragon
A variety of carrier pigeon.
Angel
An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael. It varied in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s.
Dragon
A fabulous winged creature, sometimes borne as a charge in a coat of arms.
Angel
Spiritual being attendant upon God
Dragon
A creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
Angel
Person of exceptional holiness
Dragon
A fiercely vigilant and unpleasant woman
Angel
Invests in a theatrical production
Dragon
A faint constellation twisting around the north celestial pole and lying between Ursa Major and Cepheus
Angel
The highest waterfall; has more than one leap; flow varies seasonally
Dragon
Any of several small tropical Asian lizards capable of gliding by spreading winglike membranes on each side of the body
Angel
A spiritual being believed to act as a messenger of God.
The angel appeared to deliver a message of hope.
Dragon
A large, serpentine mythical creature capable of breathing fire.
The dragon's roar echoed through the mountains.
Angel
A guardian spirit or a symbol of goodness.
She was like an angel, always helping others in need.
Dragon
An antagonist or a wise guardian in stories and legends.
The dragon provided wisdom to those who sought it.
Angel
A representation of purity and innocence.
The child's angelic smile melted everyone's heart.
Common Curiosities
What role do dragons play in folklore?
Dragons can be antagonists, guardians of treasures, or symbols of power and strength.
What do angels symbolize?
Angels symbolize protection, purity, and divine guidance.
What is an angel?
An angel is a benevolent celestial being often depicted as a messenger of God.
How are dragons depicted in mythology?
Dragons are depicted as large, powerful, and often fearsome creatures capable of breathing fire.
What are dragons known for in stories?
Dragons are known for their immense power, ability to breathe fire, and guarding treasures.
Do dragons have a uniform depiction across cultures?
No, dragons vary greatly in appearance and symbolism across different cultures.
Are angels and dragons ever depicted together?
Rarely, as they represent contrasting elements: divine goodness and mythical power.
Are angels always benevolent?
Yes, angels are typically seen as benevolent beings.
What qualities are attributed to angels?
Qualities of angels include goodness, purity, protection, and divine intervention.
What is the primary role of an angel?
The primary role of an angel is to act as a messenger and servant of God.
Can dragons be benevolent?
In some cultures, dragons are seen as wise and protective.
Where do angels commonly appear?
Angels commonly appear in religious texts of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
What is a common characteristic of dragons in European mythology?
In European mythology, dragons are commonly depicted as fearsome beasts to be slain by heroes.
How are angels usually depicted in art?
Angels are usually depicted with wings, halos, and human-like forms.
How are dragons viewed in Asian cultures?
In Asian cultures, dragons are often seen as auspicious and symbols of good fortune.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
