In international folklore, there are various unrelated fantastic creatures to which the English language ascribes the word “dragon.” That designation – for lack of a larger vocabulary – is the only thing that links these entities. The kangaroo rat is not a kangaroo. Nor a rat for that matter. Sometimes we use the same term for things that seem similar even when they are not that much like one another, and they are certainly NOT related.

Then there is this idea that dragons were inspired by some sort of primal memory of a natural predator. This is pure speculation without any support other than the musings of a wandering mind. And you have zeroed in on the problem that demonstrates this speculative theory has feet of clay that reaches up to the armpits: “surely we should all instinctively be afraid of dragons and not just the westernised culture.” EXACTLY! Thank you.

The answer to your question is embedded in your question. We are not instinctively afraid of everything we call dragons; therefore, they are either not all dragons or there is no instinct to be afraid. Or both.

In Europe, the serpentine venom (and sometimes hot, fiery) breath of the dragon was extremely dangerous and easily morphed into a symbol of evil with Christian literature. The Asian “dragon” is clearly far removed from the European creature.