Dragon vs. Basilisk — What's the Difference?

In heraldry, a dragon is a symbol of strength and bravery.

In literature and folklore, a creature whose very presence can be toxic and deadly.

A symbol of power and majesty in various cultures, especially in East Asian mythology.

A mythical reptile said to be able to kill with its lethal gaze.

A large mythical beast, typically reptilian with the ability to fly and breathe fire.

Used figuratively to describe a deadly or treacherous situation.

In fantasy literature and media, a creature often involved in epic battles or as a guardian of treasures.

Often described as a small serpent, sometimes with a crown-shaped crest, symbolizing its title as the king of serpents.

A figurative term for a fierce or formidable person.

Represents evil and corruption in some cultural tales.

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.

In European bestiaries and legends, a basilisk ( or ) is a legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king, who can cause death with a single glance. According to the Naturalis Historia of Pliny the Elder, the basilisk of Cyrene is a small snake, "being not more than twelve fingers in length", that is so venomous, it leaves a wide trail of deadly venom in its wake, and its gaze is likewise lethal.

See Draco2.

A legendary serpent or dragon with lethal breath and glance.

A mythical monster traditionally represented as a gigantic reptile having a long tail, sharp claws, scaly skin, and often wings.

Any of various tropical American lizards of the genus Basiliscus, having a crest on the head and back and fringes of skin around the toes of the hind feet that enable it to run upright across the surface of water for short distances.

Any of various lizards, such as the Komodo dragon or the flying lizard.

A mythical snake-like dragon, so venomous that even its gaze was deadly.

A fiercely vigilant or intractable person.

(science fiction) An infohazard or cognitohazard, especially a Langford's basilisk.

Something very formidable or dangerous.

(heraldry) A type of dragon used in heraldry.

(Archaic) A large snake or serpent.

A tree-dwelling type of lizard of the genus Basiliscus: the basilisk lizard.

A legendary serpentine or reptilian creature.

A type of large brass cannon.

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.

Suggesting a basilisk (snake-like dragon): baleful, spellbinding.

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.

A fabulous serpent, or dragon. The ancients alleged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See Cockatrice.

An animal of various species that resemble a dragon in appearance:

A lizard of the genus Basiliscus, belonging to the family Iguanidæ.

(obsolete) A very large snake; a python.

A large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size.

Any of various agamid lizards of the genera Draco, Physignathus or Pogona.

(classical mythology) a serpent (or lizard or dragon) able to kill with its breath or glance

A Komodo dragon.

Ancient brass cannon

The constellation Draco.

Small crested arboreal lizard able to run on its hind legs; of tropical America

(pejorative) A fierce and unpleasant woman; a harridan.

The (historical) Chinese empire or the People's Republic of China.

(figuratively) Something very formidable or dangerous.

A type of playing-tile (red dragon, green dragon, white dragon) in the game of mahjong.

A luminous exhalation from marshy ground, seeming to move through the air like a winged serpent.

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.

A background process similar to a daemon.

A variety of carrier pigeon.

(slang) A transvestite man, or more broadly a male-to-female transgender person.

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.

A fierce, violent person, esp. a woman.

A constellation of the northern hemisphere figured as a dragon; Draco.

A luminous exhalation from marshy grounds, seeming to move through the air as a winged serpent.

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.

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.

A variety of carrier pigeon.

A fabulous winged creature, sometimes borne as a charge in a coat of arms.

A creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings

A fiercely vigilant and unpleasant woman

A faint constellation twisting around the north celestial pole and lying between Ursa Major and Cepheus

Any of several small tropical Asian lizards capable of gliding by spreading winglike membranes on each side of the body

A basilisk can kill either by its deadly gaze or, in some stories, through venomous breath.

Dragons are known for their immense size, magical abilities, and their role as both protectors and destroyers.

In modern media, dragons are commonly depicted as majestic and intelligent creatures in fantasy films, books, and video games, often playing pivotal roles in the storyline.

Dragons can be depicted as either good or evil, depending on the cultural context and the story.

One of the most famous basilisk stories involves the creature being defeated by the weasel, the only animal immune to its deadly gaze, as recounted in Pliny the Elder’s "Natural History."

In legends, basilisks can be defeated by various means, including showing them their own reflection.

Dragon myths originate from various cultures worldwide, with significant presence in both European medieval lore and East Asian traditions, where they are often seen as powerful and mystical beings.

Dragons are often said to inhabit remote or mystical locations, such as high mountains, deep caves, or hidden islands, guarding treasures or ancient secrets.

The basilisk myth primarily originates from European legends, particularly from stories of the Middle Ages, depicting it as a creature capable of causing death with a mere glance.

While both are reptilian mythical creatures, their abilities are quite distinct; dragons are known for breathing fire and flying, while basilisks have the deadly gaze.

In Western cultures, dragons often symbolize chaos and danger, whereas in Eastern cultures, they are seen as symbols of strength, wisdom, and good fortune.

In contemporary stories, the basilisk often appears as a deadly and feared creature, such as in the "Harry Potter" series, where it serves as a formidable enemy due to its lethal powers.

In most myths, the basilisk is portrayed as inherently malevolent, a creature that embodies pure malevolence and is feared for its deadly capabilities.

Yes, particularly in Eastern cultures, dragons are seen as benevolent and wise, often associated with prosperity, water, and rainfall, and are revered rather than feared.