Black dragon tattoo. Dragon tattoo meaning. Dragon tattoo and its color

It is interesting that both beautiful girls and courageous guys have a weakness for tattoos depicting a dragon. At the same time, among fans of winged monsters there may be a variety of people. Unfortunately, many are guided by aesthetics and do not know what their fire talisman means.

A dragon tattoo is suitable for powerful and self-confident people whose actions are based on noble principles. At the same time, we should not forget that the dragon is a militant symbol. Wearing it on your body means not denying yourself the pleasure of challenging and crushingly marching towards victory.

Symbol meaning

A dragon is a tattoo that can have very different interpretations. For example, in Eastern cultures, the dragon symbolizes heavenly powers, nobility and courage. At the same time, in Europe, the winged serpent symbolizes chaos and destruction.

For those who decide to get a dragon tattoo, we recommend studying the sketches and symbolism in detail. The same plot can have different meanings - it is enough to miss a seemingly insignificant detail. Even small, barely visible dragon tattoos can have global meaning.

Where to hit?

We figured out the plot. Let's start choosing a location. This stage is very important, since its size and style depend on the location of the tattoo. You also need to indicate all suitable places separately for male and female tattoos. On the bodies of guys to apply a dragon, you can consider the following places and scenes:

An eagle with spread wings on its back. Such a tattoo will look aggressive and powerful.
A dragon flying up will symbolize spirituality and nobility.
Shoulder blade tattoo. The dragon can be either in a terrifying fire-breathing pose or in a peaceful role. It all depends on your goals - whether you want to demonstrate your strength or your peace and confidence.
Small dragon on the neck. This tattoo looks elegant and stylish, but is not suitable for everyone.

Girls can be offered the following options for dragon tattoos:

Styles

Dragon is a tattoo that looks great in the oriental style. But you can experiment in new school, traditional, and even tribal. Among the male audience, large dragons on the entire back, made in oriental style using red and black ink, are popular. Inscriptions with hieroglyphs are welcome, but only where they are truly appropriate.

Girls prefer elegant compositions with small elaborate details and patterns. A woman's back is an ideal place to test the master's professionalism and finesse of work.

From the life of stars

The extravagant singer Pink decorated her leg with a tattoo of a dragon, and the beautiful Angelina Jolie boasts as many as two tattoos of a mythical fiery beast. Unfortunately, one of Jolie’s tattoos was shown to the public only in one intimate photo shoot of the actress and did not “shine” anywhere else. Rooney Mara, the actress who played the role of the girl with the dragon tattoo, naturally has a magnificent fiery serpent all over her back. By the way, it was this film that gave a new round to the fashion for tattoos with dragons.

Legends of dragons are found in the folklore of many cultures. Sometimes you just want to ask the question: “Perhaps these monsters really once existed on our planet?” However, we still won’t get a reliable answer. Meanwhile, since time immemorial, winged fire-breathing lizards have been found not only in myths, but also in the art of body images. What's wrong with the dragon and why quite often representatives of the stronger sex also choose this particular creature as a design for a tattoo?

Dragons in world history

In all cultures, dragons were considered incredibly strong, agile and insightful creatures. Many legends say that these creatures live almost forever, it is almost impossible to defeat them even with an entire army, and they can also fly and spew fiery flames. Dragons are often endowed with magical abilities, such as the ability to see the past and future or even move through time and space. The public's attitude towards these mythical characters is ambiguous. In one culture, dragons are considered protectors of honest people and fair judges, while in another they are considered evil monsters that destroy everything in their path. Accordingly, tattoos of girls with a dragon can be perceived differently. In one case, this is a desire to increase internal strength, and in the other, an outright challenge to society.

The popularity of winged monsters

Old myths are gradually forgotten, and as a modern symbol, the dragon is relevant only for Eastern culture. In China, this “animal” is considered sacred; in ancient times, people believed that fire-breathing monsters were the sons of heaven and messengers of the gods. However, even today they are depicted on national clothes and decorative items in a special national style. European dragons are not at all similar to their Chinese relatives. These are lizards with four legs and often a fairly large body, which, as a rule, have a long neck and tail, and wings. Today, tattoos of girls with a dragon do not surprise anyone, but in fact they came into fashion not so long ago. Interest in mythical creatures was aroused by literary works in the fantasy genre and films, the plots of which are imbued with magic and enchantment. A huge number of clients visited tattoo parlors asking to get the mythical monster tattooed on their bodies after the release of the film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Of course, the main character of this picture had such a body image.

Dragon Tattoo: Modern Meanings

Putting together all the world's ideas about dragons, we can understand that this creature is considered a symbol of supreme power, strength and might. The heavenly monsters are not without nobility and wisdom. After all, even if a dragon serves evil, he always acts thoughtfully and more often comes to a fair fight with the enemy. In addition, data can be considered a symbol of magic and magic. Tattoos of girls with a dragon are most often a desire to express themselves, become more confident and stand out from the crowd. When planning to get a tattoo like this, think carefully about the sketch. After all, dragons can also be different: angry, attacking, serene in flight, or even joyful and contented. However, sometimes a tattoo with this creature is done for an easily explainable reason. Don't forget that the dragon is one of the symbols of the eastern calendar. It is not surprising that people born under his auspices strive to fill it.

photos, variations, sketches

In modern art, fire-breathing monsters are most often depicted in two styles. These are eastern dragons, characteristically elongated and “thin”, similar to snakes with limbs; they do not always have wings. As well as their Western relatives, reminiscent of prehistoric lizards with a body covered with scales and rough leathery wings. Dragon tattoos (photo at the beginning of the article) can also be made in a caricature-cartoon style. Usually the characters in such drawings are very kind and positive and are more suitable for children's fairy tales than scary stories. Don’t forget about abstract sketches or silhouette images, for which oriental dragons are great.

Where to get such a tattoo?

Even Western dragons, due to their popularity in modern art, do not carry an unambiguously negative meaning today. Therefore, you can get a tattoo with their image anywhere. Of course, when going to the master, think about your lifestyle. For example, in many reputable companies, employees are still prohibited from having open tattoos. In this case, a dragon tattoo on the back will not be a tribute to fashion after watching a movie, but a truly sensible way out of the situation. For those who do not obey the dress code, the mythical creature will be an excellent decoration for the body in any part of it. Many people apply this to their wrists; girls choose the abdomen, chest or lower back. A dragon tattoo on the shoulder looks no worse. What’s especially nice is that this symbol is universal, and the sketches presented in the article are equally suitable for girls and young people.

The incredibly powerful energy of the supernatural serpent attracts many to depict its silhouette on the body. The wise and noble dragon, which brings prosperity and good luck, has today become an inseparable companion to the art of tattooing.

The guy has a dragon all over his back

Great and terrible

The dragon in one form or another appears in the mythology and folklore of all significant world cultures. And if Western peoples, as a rule, associated him with evil spirits, then the East endowed the mythical creature with wisdom and power. That is why attitudes towards the image of a dragon vary greatly around the world.

The first image of this creature was found in China. Here the water serpent was associated with fertility; it soared from lakes and rivers and gave people the long-awaited rain.

Later, the Chinese winged creature emitting fire from its mouth represented strength, knowledge, harmony, luck and health. The abilities of such a dragon are limitless, he can turn into even a small speck of dust, even the entire Universe, and controls the four cardinal directions and four elements.

In Japan, the dragon rules the water element, and the first emperor descends from this heavenly creature. The power of flying giants is that they are capable of both creation and destruction, and, therefore, they remind a person of the cycle of life. The Buddhist dragon was depicted on temples, as it was considered a protector against dark forces and an assistant to Buddha.

Dragon on the hand in realism style

Fact. Members of eastern forensic groups often have a large, bright image of a dragon on their back or chest. However, this does not bother Europeans to apply the same design on themselves.

The European snake is a much more prosaic entity, with vivid symbolism of aggression. Usually Western peoples endowed him with cunning, malice and hatred of people. Dragons were disgusting low creatures that lived underground and often guarded treasures and untold riches.

Probably, dislike for a supernatural being came to Europe from Christianity, where the tempting serpent hands Eve the notorious apple. The snake defeated by George the Victorious is none other than the embodiment of this dark essence. The dragon, better known to the Slavs, is embodied in the image of the Serpent Gorynych.

This great creature was also known to the Celts and Vikings, who marked his connection with magic and the inexplicable forces of existence. The Scottish flag is decorated with a fiery red dragon. If we take the generalized image of the mythical serpent, we will see that it is not an unambiguous embodiment of good or evil; most likely, it is a personification of the forces of nature.

If you are interested in a dragon tattoo, you can see photos of its execution options in our article.

Chinese dragon tattoo on arm

Symbolism

Advice. A dragon is a very difficult drawing to complete, therefore, so that your mythical friend does not look like a caricatured snake with wings, approach the choice of a master especially carefully.

Whatever interests you about a dragon tattoo, its meaning boils down to the following components:

Luck and prosperity;
Impeccable beauty;
Nobility, greatness and power;
Imagination and ability to go beyond existing boundaries;
Fearlessness, strength and courage;
Wisdom and thirst for knowledge;
Longevity and immortality.

Japanese style dragon sleeve tattoo

How to depict eastern and western dragons?

This is interesting. Once upon a time, Angelina Jolie had an image of a dragon on her shoulder, but now another tattoo takes its place. The dragon, sketched by Bruce Willis, covers the scar on his shoulder. Celebrities such as Lenny Kravets, Jack Osborne, Pink and others also have this creature.

The body of the Chinese mythical character is snake-like and wingless, despite this he is able to fly. The number of scales of the Chinese dragon is 117, and there are 5 claws on each paw. In front of him is usually depicted a burning pearl, personifying his ability to control atmospheric phenomena, and his very appearance is warlike.

The Japanese dragon may have the face of a wolf, horse, or camel. Unlike its Chinese counterpart, it has 3 claws on its paws, and a goatee adorns its chin.

The European dragon, which is closer to us, necessarily has a long neck, tail and wings similar to those of a bat. Moreover, he has little connection with the celestial sphere, but lives in dungeons and caves.

Realistic style dragon with crown

Image options and color symbolism

Depending on the meaning of a dragon tattoo, its sketches will vary greatly:

The horned dragon signifies the determination of the tattoo wearer.
A dragon standing firmly on the ground indicates the connection between the earthly and celestial spheres.
A flying dragon protects the gods and strengthens a person’s faith and fortitude.
The creature's bared teeth indicate aggression and desire for dominance.
A peacefully sleeping dragon will be a symbol of peace of mind, good nature and harmony.
A creature made in Chinese traditions is often supplemented with hieroglyphs.
A popular image is of a fairy-tale animal in a cloud of smoke or flame.
The mythical creature, made in golden shades, symbolizes wisdom and the desire for knowledge.
A yellow animal will mark victory.
The green snake will indicate the owner’s connection with the earthly sphere.
White, black, red and blue creatures are each responsible for their own side of the world and element. At the same time, black speaks of respect for parents, blue symbolizes peace, and red symbolizes both passion and aggressive defense.
If the dragon's flight is directed upward, then the wearer has benevolent intentions.
A creature rushing down will indicate that such a person should be feared.
An animal surrounded by coins bestows family prosperity.
The combination of a dragon and a tiger in one composition is a classic variation of the Yin-Yang symbol.
An unrealistic image of a dragon, its fairy-tale, cartoonish style is typical for the female gender.

Chinese dragon calf tattoo

They say that the dragon tattoo is very hackneyed. I think it all depends on the choice of sketch. I chose a little dragon from the popular cartoon How to Train Your Dragon. Sleeping peacefully on the lower back, he simultaneously speaks of inner strength and feminine elegance and grace.

Marina, Pskov

Place of drawing

The main plot of my sleeve revolves around a flying dragon. I like this composition for its abundance of colors and amazing realism. I think that there is no person who would not want to decorate his body with this beautiful creature.

Oleg, Moscow

Japanese style dragon tattoo on shoulder and shoulder blade

Video: review of dragon tattoos

Dragon Tattoo Sketches

The guy has a dragon all over his back

The first image of this creature was found in China. Here the water serpent was associated with fertility; it soared from lakes and rivers and gave people the long-awaited rain.

Dragon on the hand in realism style

Fact. Members of eastern forensic groups often have a large, bright image of a dragon on their back or chest. However, this does not bother Europeans to apply the same design on themselves.

If you are interested in a dragon tattoo, you can see photos of its execution options in our article.

Chinese dragon tattoo on arm

Symbolism

Advice. A dragon is a very difficult drawing to complete, therefore, so that your mythical friend does not look like a caricatured snake with wings, approach the choice of the artist especially carefully.

Whatever interests you about a dragon tattoo, its meaning boils down to the following components:

Luck and prosperity;
Impeccable beauty;
Nobility, greatness and power;
Imagination and ability to go beyond existing boundaries;
Fearlessness, strength and courage;
Wisdom and thirst for knowledge;
Longevity and immortality.

Japanese style dragon sleeve tattoo

How to depict eastern and western dragons?

This is interesting. Angelina Jolie once had an image of a dragon on her shoulder, but now another tattoo takes its place. The dragon, sketched by Bruce Willis, covers the scar on his shoulder. Celebrities such as Lenny Kravets, Jack Osborne, Pink and others also have this creature.

The body of the Chinese mythical character is snake-like and wingless, despite this he is able to fly. The number of scales of the Chinese dragon is 117, and there are 5 claws on each paw. A burning pearl is usually depicted in front of him, personifying his ability to control atmospheric phenomena, and his very appearance is warlike.

The Japanese dragon can have the face of a wolf, horse or camel. Unlike its Chinese counterpart, it has 3 claws on its paws, and a goatee adorns its chin.

The European dragon, which is closer to us, necessarily has a long neck, tail and wings similar to the wings of a bat. Moreover, he has little connection with the celestial sphere, but lives in dungeons and caves.

Realistic style dragon with crown

Image options and color symbolism

Depending on the meaning of a dragon tattoo, its sketches will vary greatly:

The horned dragon signifies the determination of the tattoo wearer.
A dragon standing firmly on the ground indicates the connection between the earthly and celestial spheres.
A flying dragon protects the gods and strengthens a person’s faith and fortitude.
The creature's bared teeth indicate aggression and desire for dominance.
A peacefully sleeping dragon will be a symbol of peace of mind, good nature and harmony.
A creature made in Chinese traditions is often supplemented with hieroglyphs.
A popular image is of a fairy-tale animal in a cloud of smoke or flame.
The mythical creature, made in golden shades, symbolizes wisdom and the desire for knowledge.
A yellow animal will mark victory.
The green snake will indicate the owner’s connection with the earthly sphere.
White, black, red and blue creatures are each responsible for their own side of the world and element. At the same time, black speaks of respect for parents, blue symbolizes peace, and red symbolizes both passion and aggressive defense.
If the dragon's flight is directed upward, then the wearer has benevolent intentions.
A creature rushing down will indicate that such a person should be feared.
An animal surrounded by coins bestows family prosperity.
The combination of a dragon and a tiger in one composition is a classic variation of the Yin-Yang symbol.
An unrealistic image of a dragon, its fairy-tale, cartoonish style is typical for the female gender.

Chinese dragon calf tattoo

They say that the dragon tattoo is very hackneyed. I think it all depends on the choice of sketch. I chose a little dragon from the popular cartoon How to Train Your Dragon. Sleeping peacefully on the lower back, it simultaneously speaks of inner strength and feminine elegance and grace.

Marina, Pskov

Place of drawing

The main plot of my sleeve revolves around a flying dragon. I like this composition for its abundance of colors and amazing realism. I think that there is no person who would not want to decorate his body with this beautiful creature.

Oleg, Moscow

Japanese style dragon tattoo on shoulder and shoulder blade

Of course, such a strong-willed creature requires respect for itself, so often its entire back is given over to its image or it is allowed to climb up the side of the body. It is possible to apply a pattern to the lower back or shoulder blade. There are interesting compositions for the shoulder, where a long tail encircles the wearer's wrist.

A very popular symbol for tattoos. Tattoos with this image are common in both the West and the East.

It is quite possible that dinosaurs served as the prototype for this mythical creature. Huge reptiles that lived in ancient times.
And human imagination simply added a little magic to their image. This is how we got huge flying, fire-breathing, winged snakes.

Who is it suitable for? Depending on the design, it is equally suitable for men and women.
Suitable for a person in character which is simultaneously dominated by: belligerence, authority, and the desire for noble motives.
The symbol is suitable for people who have leadership qualities.

Places and style of tattoo. The vast majority of sketches are made in oriental style. And this is not surprising, since the very mythological image of flying snakes, “capable” of spewing flames, comes from Japan and China.
Popular styles for a tattoo like this: oriental, new school, traditional, tribal.
Western and Eastern dragons differ in execution style. The first has a thick body covered with scales and small, relative to the size of the dragon itself, wings.
The eastern dragon's shape is more like an elongated flying one snake.

Symbol meaning

As often happens with ancient symbolism, images can have opposite meanings. The meaning of a tattoo can vary depending on the place of application and the subject of the work.

The first mentions of such symbols are found in the cultures of China and Japan. For example, in China, a tattoo with this symbol was applied to the back, along the spine, of all members of the emperor’s family.

Symbolism has been firmly established in Chinese culture for so long that it has become an integral part of it. The image of a dragon can be seen in the design of buildings, paintings, music, and poetry.
The dragon is an obligatory part of the Chinese New Year. Some claim that these are people in paper dragon costumes. But anything can happen..
One of the Chinese emperors claimed to be a direct descendant of a dragon. Apparently he forgot that he was talking about a mythological creature.

In general, in culture there were four types dragons, by element: water, earth, air and fire. Probably, in this way, the ancient ancestors of the Chinese perceived and explained to themselves the forces and phenomena of nature. Among the ancient Slavs, by the way, this role was played.

There are a number of legends in which a dragon guards a treasure. A number of other myths tell of carp and Koi fish, which, having overcome many difficulties, at the end of the journey become dragons.
Chinese horoscope promises to a person born under this sign leader's fate.

IN culture and symbolism East indicates nobility, courage and connection with heavenly powers.
Images of dragons in symbolism are often associated with the four cardinal directions: west, south, east, north.

Take note, for those who are interested "Feng Shui":
It is believed that if you keep coins with the image of a dragon next to coins on which the Phoenix is carved, this will lead the owner of all this wealth to “ reaching heavenly heights»
In this case, the dragon symbolizes the “Yin” symbol, the Phoenix is “responsible” for the “Yang”.

In Buddhism, our today's hero - defender. Mention of dragons in the history of Buddhism appears only in the 9th century. The image can be seen in the design of various temples. It is believed that the dragon can protect the soul from evil forces.

In ancient Greece and Rome images of a dragon decorate the armor of warriors. Here they believe that the symbol gives courage and fearlessness in battle.

Western civilization in his folk epic reflects the dragon as the embodiment evil power and difficulties. The symbol is used as block which must be overcome, to get what you want. Perhaps this perception of the symbol was influenced by religion. After all, at the very beginning of the Bible it tells about the insidious tempting serpent and his unprincipled act.
Here you can recall numerous fairy tales about knights freeing the ladies of their hearts from captivity where they are guarded by a dragon. And the latter, of course, must be defeated.
The myth of the “Victorious” depicted on the coat of arms of Moscow can also be included here.

Numerous prototypes of the dragon can be found in cultures almost all nations. These include the Slavic Serpent Gorynych.
In the majority In myths, the dragon is characterized by such features as wisdom, strength, magic. IN more rare cases deceit, aggression, evil.

The meaning of tattoos for guys and girls, depending on color:

Black dragon- respect for the family. And in general, a respectful attitude towards elders;
Blue dragon- peace and longevity;
Golden Dragon- wisdom, wealth;
Yellow dragon- a symbol of war and conquest. If depicted in oriental style symbolizes wisdom and thirst for knowledge;
Red dragon- passion, love and life full of feelings;
Also, the red dragon is the national symbol of Wales;
Green color- love and respect for nature;
White Dragon- a symbol of movement towards higher goals and ideals.

The meaning of the symbol for boys and girls, depending on the plot:

Nobility and richness of spirit symbolizes dragon flying up;
Dragon without wings- symbolizes the rainbow in Buddhism;
Dragon fish "Koi"- willingness to accept difficulties along the path of life in order to achieve a higher goal;
Wings spread And grin mouth, blood on the claws - aggression, hostility. Such a symbol indicates the “severe” disposition of the owner;
Closed mouth and lowered wings - a wise and calm attitude to what is happening;
The lying dragon is the “balance” of the mind. Understanding the duality of existence;
Hidden aggression, means a dragon flying down;
If there are tattoos in the plot the dragon is next to the tiger- this affects the meaning of the symbol. In case they are on the same level- this symbolizes the inner balance of a person. It speaks of the coincidence of the desired with the actual. Well, or the desire for such balance.
If dragon defeats tiger, such a tattoo means the victory of the “light” side in a person’s soul. A tattoo means control of one’s passions and desires by the owner.
In the opposite case, when tiger defeats dragon- the meaning of the tattoo changes to the exact opposite. Such a person puts selfish motives first in his own life.
Dragon in the clouds, aka sky Dragon- a symbol of self-confident individuals. Such a dragon seems to look at all the problems, day after day, that trouble a person from top to bottom. This symbol is popular among people who lack confidence and hope to gain it with the help of a tattoo;
Dragon with horns- courage and lack of fear;
Dragon head- the ability to quickly make the optimally correct decision from all possible options.

The meaning of a dragon tattoo for guys and girls, depending on location on the body:

Dragon tattoo on shoulder for men ()- As a rule, they show an aggressive character. For women, it depends on the subject of the tattoo;
Dragon tattoo on back- human leadership qualities;
Dragon tattoo on hand- the hand, forearm and wrist do not change the meaning of the tattoo;

Stars with dragon tattoo:

The singer's leg Pink decorates the hero of our article. Angelina Jolie- owner of two dragon tattoos at once.
Rooney Mara(this is the name of the actress who played the main role in the film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) got a fairly large snake tattoo on her back.

The symbol itself comes from China. But it is found in the cultures of almost all nations.
General meaning: power, wisdom, calm.
The meaning of a tattoo is influenced by , , .
The tattoo is universal - suitable for both men and women. The symbol is suitable for a person with a powerful character who seeks to acquire or maintain wealth.

Video

Watching the video will take 12 minutes and 11 seconds. The process of applying a tattoo to the arm, from shoulder to elbow. Tattoo with the image of a "serpentine" scaly dragon in the Japanese style: