The Dragon Devouring the Companions of Cadmus

A muscular, winged dragon with multiple breasts and a long tail dominates the center of the frame, its jaws clamped onto the head of a fallen man. Severed limbs and the agonizing faces of dying companions litter the foreground, showcasing intense anatomical detail and emotional distress. In the distant background, Cadmus is visible as a small figure approaching with a spear and stone to avenge his men and slay the beast.

In the Western esoteric tradition, the slaying of the dragon by Cadmus is frequently interpreted as an alchemical allegory for the 'fixed' overcoming the 'volatile' or the purification of the prima materia. This myth was a central component of the 'Ovidius Chemicus' tradition, where classical myths were decoded as veiled instructions for the Great Work.