What is the queen of all dragons?

In the vast world of dragons across different stories, games, and cultures, the title "Queen of All Dragons" could be attributed to various powerful and mythical dragons. However, one dragon often stands out as the supreme ruler or most powerful: Tiamat, the primordial dragon goddess from Dungeons & Dragons.

But before diving into who she is, let's take a closer look at the concept of a "Queen of All Dragons" and why Tiamat holds this title in many traditions.

Who Is Tiamat?

Tiamat is often considered the "Queen of All Dragons" in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), one of the most famous tabletop role-playing games. She is a chromatic dragon goddess, embodying the elemental chaos and evil of the dragon species. Tiamat is portrayed as a five-headed dragon, with each head representing a different color and corresponding element: red (fire), blue (lightning), green (poison), black (acid), and white (cold).

Tiamat's backstory in D&D lore paints her as an ancient, terrifying force of destruction, a being of both immense power and wickedness. As the goddess of dragons, she rules over all chromatic dragons and is considered one of the most dangerous creatures in the multiverse.

Why Is Tiamat the Queen of All Dragons?

Tiamat's claim to the title "Queen of All Dragons" is rooted in several key aspects:

1. Her Divine Status: Tiamat is not just a dragon; she is a goddess. As a deity, she holds dominion over chromatic dragons, those known for their evil nature. She is a symbol of the power and chaos that dragons can represent, making her a figure of ultimate authority.

2. Her Multitude of Heads: Unlike ordinary dragons, Tiamat possesses five heads, each corresponding to a different chromatic dragon. This makes her not only physically powerful but also symbolically potent, representing the combined power of all chromatic dragons, each with its own destructive abilities.

3. Her Influence Over Dragons: Tiamat controls a vast army of dragons, particularly the evil chromatic dragons. She commands their loyalty and strikes fear into the hearts of those who oppose her. Her ability to command and control dragons is unparalleled, making her the true queen of these creatures.

4. Her Ability to Shape the Dragon World: In the world of D&D, Tiamat’s influence is vast, with dragons in many regions worshiping her as a deity. She is known for her schemes and manipulation, often working to increase her power and expand her domain. Her desire for control over the dragonkind and other realms solidifies her status as the Queen.

Other Candidates for the Title

While Tiamat is the most prominent example, there are other dragons in various cultures and stories that could be considered "Queens of All Dragons."

**1. Ancalagon the Black (Middle-Earth, The Lord of the Rings)

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth mythos, Ancalagon the Black is considered the greatest dragon ever to exist. Though not technically a queen, Ancalagon is a dragon of unmatched size and strength, and his power and influence over the other dragons make him a strong contender for the title of "Queen" in some interpretations of the term.

**2. The Mother of Dragons (Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire)

In George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, Daenerys Targaryen is known as the "Mother of Dragons." Though she is not a dragon herself, her ability to control and raise dragons gives her a sort of metaphorical title as their queen. She symbolizes the human connection to dragons, as well as their immense power and significance in the story.

**3. The Great Dragon (Dragon Age)

In Dragon Age, the Great Dragon is an ancient and extremely powerful being. While not a queen per se, this entity represents a near-godlike power within the context of dragon lore, and could be seen as a ruler of dragons in this fantasy world.

What Makes a Dragon a "Queen"?

The idea of a "Queen of All Dragons" isn’t necessarily about physical appearance or size, but rather about dominion, power, and influence. A true dragon queen, like Tiamat, commands the loyalty of dragons, embodies the pinnacle of dragonkind’s abilities, and has the power to shape worlds with their very presence.

Conclusion

When we think of the "Queen of All Dragons," Tiamat often comes to mind, with her five heads, divine status, and control over the evil dragons of the multiverse. While other dragons from different stories may also lay claim to similar titles, Tiamat is the quintessential example of what it means to be the queen of dragons.

Tiamat’s reign over dragons, her devastating power, and her divine status make her the embodiment of everything that makes dragons fearsome, destructive, and revered. In a world full of myth and legends, Tiamat stands as the undeniable queen, the ultimate ruler of the dragonkind.