Dragons are immortal
The general public believes that dragons are immortal. This is seen as common knowledge, although there are some who study dragons who know better.
Summary
Dragons are seen as immortal by the general public. If you ask anyone on the street how long a dragon lives, the usual answer you'll get is "forever." One reason for this is that dragons live longer than three generations of humans, which is about how long it takes humans to forget history. They can live upwards of 800 years. Another reason is that dragons occasionally change their territory when they get bored. They might also change their name, and dragon names aren't easy to remember in the first place. A third reason is partially due to the dragons enjoying the human confusion about their lifespans: their bones are rarely found. Dragons will either go deep into the earth or over a large body of water, like the ocean, to die.
Historical Basis
The only historical basis is the long lifespan of the dragon and the lack of bones. This, however, does not definitively prove that dragons are immortal. Scientists who have studied dragons have discovered that they can live hundreds of years and that they get bored and change things, making tracking them difficult. Scientists have also discovered their dying habits and are working on ways to go deep enough underground to study their bones.
Spread
This myth is widespread among areas that are populated with dragons. There is actually another myth among areas where there are no dragons that dragons were wiped out entirely.
Variations & Mutation
Originally, this myth said that dragons were gods and the people worshipped them as such. They sacrificed young men and women to the dragons, believing the dragons would bring them good fortune and abundant crops if appeased and death and destruction if not.
Cultural Reception
Among the educated nobles, this myth is seen as ridiculous and childish. Among the commoners, it is simply accepted as fact. The myth plays a more important role among communities where there is a dragon/dragons nearby.
In Literature
There are stories about dragons falling in love with humans and giving up their immortality to turn into humans so they can share their life with their love. Poets write about the immortal dragon in heroic poems with dashing knights and brave princesses.
In Art
There are tapestries in the king's grand hall that depict the same dragon in many different rulers' legacies. Chances are, this was simply the dragon and its descendants who happened to look alike.
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