Why is Gyarados Flying-type?
I know that Gyarados is Water-Flying, but what really ticks me off are:
Why is it Flying?
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As Sempiternus mentioned, Gyarados is based on a Chinese mythological dragon 龙 (NOT sea serpent 蛟).
The story goes that carps 鲤鱼 living in the Yellow River 黄河 swam against the current in a bid to reach Dragon’s Gate 龙门 (in Sichuan province) as it was said to be a wondrous place. However, in their way lies a mountain 龙门山 which they, having no legs, cannot scale. Thus it was that some carps tried swimming up the waterfall, but invariably most got flushed right down. They then tried leaping out of the water, but many still fell and even got bruises as a result (that is why carps found in the yellow river often have black spots on the head).
Only the few that truly persevered managed the feat of leaping all the way through Dragon’s Gate, and as a reward were turned into dragons. This is where the phrase 鲤鱼跳龙门 comes from, to mean that through perseverance one can reach great heights previously thought un-achievable (mainly applied to work or business).
So why can Gyarados fly without any visible wings? Because that is what Chinese dragons do.Unlike the European ones, Chinese dragons are always associated with water (as opposed to fire). And this includes water from the skies - rain. Despite only having at most claws, they slither through the air and are the gods in charge of bringing down rain and storms. That is why Gyarados, being a Chinese dragon, doesn’t need wings to move through the skies. It also explains the Pokemon’s close association with hurricanes and storms.
Also, the dragon is closely associated with the Chinese Emperor, who is also known as the son of heaven 天子. Therefore both the skies (flying) and the seas (water) would be appropriate elements to associate with Gyarados.
Gyarados is based off a Chinese Dragon/Sea Serpent (debateable). Dragons fly. Normally. Sea Serpents wag their tails and pretend they can fly, except it’s in the water.
Honestly, the most probable answer in my eyes is that in Gen I, when Gyarados first appeared, Dragon type was supposed to basically be the unique typing of the Dratini line - this meant Gyarados, which was possibly based on some form of Dragon would get the next closest type to Dragon, which would be flying due to the flying attributes of Dragons in mythology.The flying type is probably a reference to koinobori, which is a wind sock that the Japanese apparently think is a good idea to fly during Children’s Day.
Magikarp was also able to jump Mountains with the godly move, Splash. The legend of the Dragon Gate says that carps which lept over the Dragon Gate would become Dragons. What does this represent? Well, if we try to read too deep using the useful skills we gain in English Class, we can try convince ourselves that it’s an allegory of the drive & effort it takes to overcome obstacles. What does this mean?BELIEF CONQUERS ALLBELIEVE IN THE HEART OF THE CARDS.I BELIEVEEEE I CAN FLY~~~~
Okay half the answer made no sense. But really, it was probably due to the unique typing for the Dratini line, plus possible ideas to reference the Flying type to various things.
Gyarados’s Flying type may be a reference to koinobori, a carp-shaped windsock traditionally flown to celebrate Children’s Day in Japan, formerly called Tango no Sekku (端午の節句). It could also be inspired by the Inkanyamba, a giant, winged eel that causes storms when angry, a trait Gyarados is famous for.
sourceOf course, the only real answer is Game Freak logic.
