Illuyankas is the name of the Turkish dragon, enormous fabulous animal that is part of the hittites mythology. It’s a believe that the dragon lies in the mountain that goes from Aleppo to Kayseri since that mountain range has the form of a monster.

It’s said that Taru, God of the Wind and the Climate, tried to defeat the dragon with the help of thunders and lightning. He also asked for help to the goddess Inara and her human lover Hupasiayas.

After some frustrated attempts, Taru soaked the dragon with rainwater so that it would suffocate, but the water evaporated quickly and formed a multitude of clouds.

Without accepting defeat, the God of the Climate tried then to burn the dragon with sun rays, but the enormous shade of the animal absorbed the light of the sun, neutralizing its effect.

Furious, the dragon began to devastate villages and to kill the inhabitants throughout the Eart. He left a great lineage of dragons in craters and volcanoes.

Time later, Illuyankas and its dragons surrounded the palace of the goddess Inara, who welcome them without resisting. She took care of them hospitable, with great amiability, and fed them until they fell slept and became swollen for so much eating.

Then, the goddess took advantage of this and called the villagers, who approached with ropes to moor the beasts. Soon they left the beasts in the outdoors in the sun and died burned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Turkish dragon differs greatly from its homologous European. Throws flames with the tail and does not fly. The Turkish and Islamic sources associate them with giant snakes.

It is also believed that the blood of the turkish dragon has medicinal properties. It can be used as a panacea as well as a lethal potion, depending on its use.

The Turkish dragon moves away from the aspect of the dragon as illustrated in the European medieval bestiaries and approaches the typical dragons of Asian and American mythology.