Dragehoder

"Please understand that not all viking longships were equipped with a dragon head. We often associate the term with elegant longships with dragonheads and upright sterns and stems, and a rig with a broad square sail. Actually only a few ships were equipped with dragonheads, as they should mark the status and rank of the viking kings. The majority of the ships were more modestly decorated, optimized for sailing abilities, strength, speed and cargo capacity needed for the purpose."

Men en ting har jeg lurt litt på: var dragehodene i samme "sjanger" som gargoillene, dvs. for å skremme bort onde ånder? Eller var de bare pynt på rikfolkets båter og hus?
Og kan vikingene ha importert denne skikken fra Østen? For i Orienten var nemlig dragene snille vesener...