St. George and the Dragon, England patron saint.
Heroic Journey
>The story of Saint George battling the dragon is a classic narrative of a hero's journey, where the hero confronts a formidable opponent (the dragon) that represents both external and internal challenges.
Integration, not Annihilation
>In many versions of the story, Saint George doesn't just kill the dragon; he subdues it, tames it, or integrates it into the city's life. This act symbolizes the ego's ability to confront and integrate the unconscious, rather than simply suppressing or destroying it.
Psychological Parallel
>This aligns with the alchemical idea of the Rebis, where the dragon is not eliminated but becomes part of the unified whole.
Connecting the Two
>Both the Rebis and the Saint George narrative offer archetypal models for understanding the process of individuation – the psychological process of integrating unconscious elements into the conscious self.
>The dragon in both contexts represents the shadow, the unconscious, or primal energies that must be acknowledged and integrated for wholeness to be achieved.
>The successful completion of the alchemical process (Rebis) mirrors the hero's triumph in Saint George's tale, where integration of opposing forces leads to a higher state of being.
>In essence, both the Rebis and the Saint George narrative offer symbolic frameworks for understanding the psychological and spiritual journey towards wholeness, where the integration of seemingly opposing forces is crucial for achieving a higher state of being.