Are there female dragons? This is a question asked frequently by fans of Skyrim and the answer is unfortunately not quite so simple as yes or no. Dragons are physically asexual, lacking reproductive organs of any kind. So if you ask this question in terms of sex the answer is "no" but by this definition there are also no males. Gender identity however, whilst influenced by the physical body, is not solely determined by it and thus opens up more possibilities. In both the real world and in The Elder Scrolls universe we see examples of people whose gender identity is not based off of their bodies. The most relevant examples here are Aedra and Daedra. Daedric princes have no inherent form and thus no sex yet they all appear to identify with gender. Most princes are consistent with their presentation as either masculine or feminine but others (most notably Boethiah and Mephala) change between them. The Aedric gods appear to identify with gender also. So what does this mean for dragons? They likely follow the same "rules". Dragons can identify as masculine, feminine, both, neither or anything in between. I myself hypothesize that most dragons are like dremora whereby most identify as masculine but some will identify as feminine. The other possibility is that few or none of these beings actually identify with any gender but are given them by mortals but this seems less likely. So in conclusion, short answer: No. Long answer: yes.
Are there female dragons? A theory and analysis.
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
Are there female dragons? This is a question asked frequently by fans of Skyrim and the answer is unfortunately not quite so simple as yes or no. Dragons are physically asexual, lacking reproductive organs of any kind. So if you ask this question in terms of sex the answer is "no" but by this definition there are also no males. Gender identity however, whilst influenced by the physical body, is not solely determined by it and thus opens up more possibilities. In both the real world and in The Elder Scrolls universe we see examples of people whose gender identity is not based off of their bodies. The most relevant examples here are Aedra and Daedra. Daedric princes have no inherent form and thus no sex yet they all appear to identify with gender. Most princes are consistent with their presentation as either masculine or feminine but others (most notably Boethiah and Mephala) change between them. The Aedric gods appear to identify with gender also. So what does this mean for dragons? They likely follow the same "rules". Dragons can identify as masculine, feminine, both, neither or anything in between. I myself hypothesize that most dragons are like dremora whereby most identify as masculine but some will identify as feminine. The other possibility is that few or none of these beings actually identify with any gender but are given them by mortals but this seems less likely. So in conclusion, short answer: No. Long answer: yes. |
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
Extra: for those who haven't played Oblivion and seen female dremora here is proof https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Races https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Dremora |
Extra: for those who haven't played Oblivion and seen female dremora here is proof
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Races
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Dremora
Liis Administrator December 13, 2018 |
Since the word "gender" itself comes from a word that meant to produce (see "gen" in "hydrogen", "generate", "genitive"), I disagree with its nonphysical connotations. I think there are only masculine and feminine dragons, but no male nor female. |
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
Well, that may be it's origin but this is how it's used these days, to refer to identity. Regardless of terminology meaning here is the same. Although, perhaps it would be more PC to edit it to masculine and femine? |
Well, that may be it's origin but this is how it's used these days, to refer to identity. Regardless of terminology meaning here is the same. Although, perhaps it would be more PC to edit it to masculine and femine?
Liis Administrator December 13, 2018 |
It's not used that way by a lot of people. Just because you know people who use it that way, that doesn't mean that's how it's used unanimously and is the standard. |
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
If you know a more correct term I'm happy to edit it. I want to convey the concept as correctly as possible and I don't want to offend the LGBTQ community. :) |
If you know a more correct term I'm happy to edit it. I want to convey the concept as correctly as possible and I don't want to offend the LGBTQ community. :)
Liis Administrator December 13, 2018 |
Offending the LGBTQ community is as inevitable as death. I say this as a lesbian. I already gave you a term for each, I thought. |
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
I suppose I knew it would happen no matter what I wrote. Krosis if I have offended you. I can change it now. :) |
I suppose I knew it would happen no matter what I wrote. Krosis if I have offended you. I can change it now. :)
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
And it makes sense. The less hate I get for posting this the better. I've just changed some parts to better fit with this. |
And it makes sense. The less hate I get for posting this the better. I've just changed some parts to better fit with this.
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
I don't mean people who have different opinions, the best science comes from questioning and disagreement. I think you can guess the sort of people mean. |
I don't mean people who have different opinions, the best science comes from questioning and disagreement. I think you can guess the sort of people mean.
Sonaak Kroinlah December 13, 2018 |
Pretty much. The "my opinion is the only valid one so you must go die in a hole" sort of people. I hope that everyone can debate this civilly but this is the internet after all. |
Pretty much. The "my opinion is the only valid one so you must go die in a hole" sort of people. I hope that everyone can debate this civilly but this is the internet after all.
paarthurnax Administrator December 21, 2018 |
If you get into some of the deeper lore, the answer is "yes, sort of"; female dragons are called Jills, and mend breaks in time: https://www.imperial-library.info/category/tags/jills What "male" and "female" really mean regarding dragons is obviously up for debate. |
https://www.imperial-library.info/category/tags/jills
What "male" and "female" really mean regarding dragons is obviously up for debate.
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