A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

Kosciey places this dragon at the sole entrance through the iron rampart surrounding Miranda’s palace. Six heads watch while six sleep, so its guard does not lapse. The narrator gives it twelve jaws and many claws. It cannot be killed by another’s direct act: death must come through its own action. No wings are described.

Hero sends an invisible, self-fighting mace against it. The weapon strikes every head despite the dragon’s efforts to locate its attacker. Its eyes become bloodshot, its wounds bleed and it hisses and shrieks; eventually it belches flame and in desperation drives its claws into its own flesh. That self-inflicted violence fulfils the stated condition of death, clearing the palace entrance. The mace is a magical object serving Hero, not an additional dragon, and this guardian’s conditional death is distinct from Kosciey’s external egg.

Twelve heads with alternating watchesTwelve jaws and many clawsBelches flame during final struggleDeath through its own action
01

Origins & earliest records

Polish Fairy Tales, translated from A. J. Gliński by Maude Ashurst Biggs (1920), Princess Miranda and Prince Hero, pp. 15–28.

02

Records & interpretation

Complete selected English narrative through Kosciey’s death, the awakening and joint weddings. Biggs acknowledges shortening her source; no original Polish collation is claimed.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Polish Fairy Tales: Princess Miranda and Prince Hero, pp. 15–28

    A. J. Gliński; Maude Ashurst Biggs, translator; Cecile Walton, illustrator · 1920

    Complete selected English narrative; title, contents and translator’s preface read. No separately named oral contributor supplied.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Primary historical shortened literary translationGliński/Biggs 1920: Miranda and HeroResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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