by Beatrice Tanaka

DRAGONS AND dragonlike creatures haunt the myths and art of many cultures around the world. Inside their scaly skins and fiery heads reside East Asia's generous but reckless water spirits, ancient Scandinavia's gold-obsessed treasure guardians, Mexico's wise, plumed serpent, medieval Europe's symbol of utter evil, the world-sustaining serpents of African and Hindu mythology, and the playful leaders of Chinese New Year celebrations.

Dragons appear in many sizes, materials, and places: as gigantic basalt statues on jungle temples, as tin toys in your bedroom, as fearsome paintings in museums, as queer initials in old books, and as masked dancers winding down the street. Why not make a mask of your own and find out what it feels like to be a dragon?

What You'll Need:
empty shoebox that fits on your head
pencil
scissors
strong glue
stapler
2 18-inch pieces of ribbon
15 inches lightweight wire
1 piece white construction paper
2 pieces thin cardboard (tagboard or empty cereal box)
paintbrush and acrylic paint (or aluminum foil)
2 2-inch polystyrene balls
2 big buttons
crepe paper (cut into 1-inch strips)

What to Do:

1. Place shoebox on your head so one short side touches the back of your head. Its bottom should touch the top of your head. Mark where your ears are and cut out two small semicircles so box can rest on your ears. Mark where your temples are inside box. Glue and staple one ribbon end to each mark. Now draw a large semicircle on outside front of box, leaving about 3/4 inch between semicircle and box corners, and cut it out. This is the dragon's mouth. Poke small hole on each side of mouth. Thread wire through holes and twist ends to secure. Make sure wire loop can move freely. Cut a row of jagged teeth from construction paper and glue along the inside top of mouth.

2. Fold one cardboard piece in half. On one side, draw a line about 1 inch from the open edge. Draw a spiky dragon's crest above this line and a few small wedges below it. Keep cardboard folded and cut out 2 identical crests. Bend wedges in alternating directions and glue crests to top and back of box. Fold other cardboard piece in half and cut out 2 spiky ears in the same way.

3. Roll and staple 2 small triangles of cardboard into cones and glue to top front of box, one on each side of crest. These are the dragon's nostrils.

4. Now paint mask or glue scale-shaped pieces of foil onto it. Let dry.

5. Cut a small slice off each polystyrene ball to make a flat base. Glue 1 ball on each side of crest. Glue a button onto each ball to finish eyes.

6. Make a beard by gluing crepe paper strips to wire and to sides of mask. Trim strips shorter at sides and longer on wire.

7. To be a small dragon, just put an old tablecloth or small bedsheet on your head, fasten under your chin with a safety pin, and put on the mask last, tying the ribbons under your chin. The last in line may wag a broomstick or mop for a tail. Hold on to the waist of the person in front of you and practice walking without mixing up your feet. Remember to swap places every now and then ... and have fun dragon-dancing!