The Dacian Draco was the symbol of the ancient Dacian military. It had a wolf head with the mouth open made out of bronze, with a "balaur" body, ending with some linen stripes.
It was put on a rod and held in the air while galloping, making a whistling sound, due to the air which entered the wolf's mouth. The Draco was originally developed by the Sarmatians and Alans, cavalry peoples of the steppes.
The earliest evidence of the Draco in Dacia was found on 4th century BC pottery discovered in the Prahova county of Romania. On Trajan's Column the Dacian soldiers are often represented carrying a Dacian Draco: there are no less than 20 representations of the Draco. The only copy left was found in Germany, which was probably a trophy won by the Roman troops from the wars with the Dacians.
After the Dacian wars the Draco was adopted by Roman cavalry.
TRANSILVANICON's DRACO is the symbol of good fortune, prosperity, protection, land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. |