One of the most popular motifs is the dragonfly, a vibrant insect that exudes elegance, charm and something mystical, making it an excellent choice for discerning tattoo lovers. In the article, we will analyze what a dragonfly tattoo means, and also consider photos of finished works and sketches for guys and girls.
Dragonfly tattoo: meaning
Tattoo artists around the world are constantly looking for new designs that they can use in body art. When using a particular design element in their creative designs, they consider aesthetic appeal as well as symbolic value. In different cultures of the world, the dragonfly symbolizes different things, we will talk about them in more detail.
The Japanese believe that a dragonfly tattoo brings positive energy that can keep their lives in harmony.
In Japanese culture, the dragonfly is considered a symbol of happiness and strength.
The Chinese believe that the dragonfly is a symbol of prosperity and harmony, while other Asian cultures perceive it as a sign of metamorphosis and transformation as the insect goes through various stages of change during its life cycle.
The primary meaning of the winged insect in Native American culture is protection. For this reason, in some tribes, the dragonfly sign applied to the body was considered a protective talisman, endowing the owner with strength and courage, helping to overcome life's difficulties.
The dragonfly on the body of a girl or a guy symbolizes freedom, good luck, beauty and charm.
In European cultures, the reputation of the insect is not so positive, as it is associated with evil and the devil.
In the modern world, dragonfly tattoos are revered as a symbol of the speed and agility that are characteristic of this small insect.
In general, men and women love this design because of its positive symbolism, as it reminds them that everyone is capable of facing life's hardships and hardships.
Dragonfly tattoo: sketches and beautiful design options
If you are one of the body art enthusiasts planning to get a dragonfly sketch inked, then consider yourself lucky as the tattoo is available in a variety of designs.
There are various designs created by tattoo artists that you can choose from depending on your own requirements and preferences. Below are some popular designs.
The tribal style involves drawing in solid colors such as black and gray. Basically, this style is chosen by men, because it looks somewhat bold.
On the other hand, women may like more subtle and sophisticated tribal tattoo designs.
The watercolor design reflects the beauty and vibrancy of the insect. Watercolor tattoos look on the human body like paintings painted by artists on canvas.
3D tattoo. The drawing made in this technique has an incredible attractive effect. The design looks so realistic that it seems as if the insect is really sitting on your body, but at any moment it will again fly away into free flight.
Dragonfly and mandala symbolism. In this design, the designation of the dragonfly tattoo is complemented by mandala patterns, as a result of which the drawing acquires the symbolism of balance, harmony, renewal and love.
Minimalism. As a rule, minimalistic dragonfly tattoos have a gray-black color, and the design itself is especially simple, since the design consists of thin lines and strokes.
Geometry. Today, tattoos, which include various geometric shapes, are at the peak of popularity. Such drawings are distinguished by their special beauty and deep meaning, which will surely appeal to people who want not only to become the owners of a beautiful, but also meaningful image.
Other design elements such as dream catchers, anchors, arrows, flowers and lettering can perfectly complement the main motif, giving it a unique look.
Accommodation options
The most important aspect of drawing attention to a particular tattoo is its proper placement. Because dragonfly tattoo designs are not very large, this gives them a lot of versatility when it comes to placement. Depending on the size, as well as the complexity of the design, they can be worn on the chest, back, shoulder, arm or hip.
If you chose a small tattoo, you can place it on the wrist, fingers, as well as the back of the neck, behind the ear or ankles.
Dragonfly tattoo: photo
In the photo gallery you can see the best works of tattoo artists from around the world. Probably, any of the tattoos will help you decide on a future sketch.
Dragonfly tattoo symbol is quite popular and interesting. The popularity of this tattoo is due to the fact that the animal dragonfly is widespread and diverse - in different forms it is found almost all over the planet. And the main interest of the dragonfly lies in its antiquity. Dragonfly is one of the most ancient insects in the world (about 300 million years), its fossilized remains are found in terrestrial rocks until the Jurassic period.
It should be noted the special attitude to the dragonfly on the part of Japanese culture and beliefs. With them, this animal has become a recognized symbol of military strength and courage., at one time many dragonflies were even sacrificed to the gods, asking for victory in the battle. The main island of Japan - Honshu was in ancient times called the island of dragonflies. The Japanese betrayed special qualities and attributes to each type of these animals, for example, the tombo dragonfly was considered the owner of courage and a symbol that brings good luck.
Among the American Indians, the dragonfly was considered a symbol of activity and speed., she was associated with an elusive whirlwind, and it was also believed that they take away the souls of the dead. The Chinese dragonfly - a symbol of the onset of summer, as well as a symbol of fragility and changeability.
In Europe, the attitude towards this animal was also special: the fact is that the dragonfly is translated into English as “dragonfly”, which literally translates as “dragon fly”. Therefore, the dragonfly could often be associated with witches (especially in the Middle Ages). As a result, soon our ancestors, the Slavs, looked at the dragonfly with apprehension and fear.
In Sweden there are myths that the dragonfly is responsible for weighing human souls to the devil, in Romania it is believed that dragonflies were also people, but then succumbed to the temptation of the devil. They also say that trolls used it to sew clothes.
The meaning of a dragonfly tattoo to some extent resembles the meaning of a butterfly tattoo, adopting its lightness and personifying immortality and rebirth.
In modern understanding, the meaning of a dragonfly tattoo is considered more suitable for girls, especially the brave and courageous. Such a tattoo embodies the combination of some opposites and contradictions: outwardly, the dragonfly looks very fragile and delicate, vulnerable and light, but, despite this, its endurance and strength, courage and predatory abilities take place.
The dragonfly is the fastest insect in the world, so people who love speed and risk often inflict it on themselves.. The list of attributes and characteristics of a dragonfly also includes: easy climb and not attachment to one place - inconstancy, invincibility and wisdom, freedom and even love.
The unique feature of the dragonfly is the fact that it starts its life in the water, and then it develops wings and can fly. Thus, the dragonfly was able to conquer two elements - water and air, you see, not everyone succeeds. Although their mystical properties take place, in any case, dragonflies are very necessary and positive animals.
The symbolism of dragonflies makes them a great tattoo choice for both men and women, especially in designs that emphasize freedom and change.
Many tattoo artists often stock tattoo designs, but it's worth working on your own to come up with a custom, unique design that suits your specific experience.
So, a dragonfly tattoo in girls most often symbolizes:
- Transformations and metamorphoses
- rebirth
- Triumph over obstacles
- Ease
- Freedom and wild spirit
- Immortality and longevity
- Beyond knowledge and horizons
- Life and death
- Eternal love
- Loyalty and peace
dragonfly in nature
Since dragonflies (Odonata Fabricius) undergo transformation like butterflies, they are directly related to metamorphoses: in order to move on from the past, you need to open a new chapter in your life on the path to major changes. Like a butterfly, a flying dragonfly often signifies freedom and a journey into the unknown. Because dragonflies often have erratic, unpredictable flight paths, they can be a symbol of fun and freedom of the spirit. Another water aspect of the dragonfly is often identified with spirituality and renewal.
Dragonflies spend most of their lives in the water, with only a fraction of their lives spent being able to fly. Because of this meaning, flying dragonfly tattoos are often associated with conscious living and being fully present in the moment. Large, unique eyes that can see 360 degrees give the dragonfly the added meaning of being omniscient (similar to the image of the All-Seeing Eye, another popular tattoo design). About 80% of the dragonfly's brain energy is taken away by the eyes, which inspires meaning: a look beyond limits and unconditional vision.
Dragonfly tattoo as a symbol
As one of the most ancient species of living insects (fossil dragonflies are three hundred million years old), dragonflies can also symbolize endurance, perseverance and survival.
The symbolism of the dragonfly is very diverse. Although dragonflies have not historically had much of a reputation in European culture, they have often been associated with witchcraft and Satanism. In the rest of the world, they are considered a symbol of great positivity. Curiously, dragonflies are not mentioned in the Bible or in the Christian religion, although they are widely used in many Eastern religions and cultures.
Many Native American tribes see the dragonfly as a symbol of triumph over obstacles, and the dragonfly's spiritual meaning is associated with rebirth. Some Native Americans even believe that a dragonfly landing on you is a sign of a soul that has passed away. For many tribes, the dragonfly's swiftness and ability to fly in any direction like a helicopter gives it a warrior quality and can be a token helper in war.
In Asian cultures, a positive dragonfly signifies that life is dynamic and never stays the same. The palette of colors and the iridescent light reflected off the wings of dragonflies also have a spiritual meaning in Eastern cultures: it is a way to show your “light” to others. In China, as well as in Mycenae (early Greece), dragonflies were considered symbols of immortality or longevity.
Dragonfly tattoo color
Sometimes the meaning of a dragonfly changes depending on the color of the insect. Red dragonflies are rarer than their blue cousins and are often associated with life and death. The meaning of the red dragonfly is often taken as an omen, whether it is eternal love or impending death. These opposite meanings have been used to represent the polarity of life, like . The symbolism of the red dragonfly also has connections with the Muladhara root chakra in Hinduism, which is about stability and grounding energy. In color psychology, red often stimulates passion and strong emotions such as love and anger.
Blue dragonflies are more common in nature and less symbolically charged than red ones. The meaning of the blue dragonfly is usually associated with emotions and a sense of trust, loyalty, calmness.
The dragonfly is one of the most ancient insects that has existed since the Jurassic period. There are a huge variety of species of this insect, they are all quite beautiful and famous for their diversity. That is why this symbol is very popular in tattoo art. But it should be remembered that a tattoo is not just a work of art and often, each image is a symbol that has a special meaning. So what does a dragonfly tattoo mean?
Guys
The dragonfly is often associated with courage, endurance, invincibility and bravery. Thanks to this, the tattoo depicting this insect has become very popular among men. Also, a tattoo with her image is applied by those who love speed, since this insect is very fast, it is associated with it.
It is also applied by those who believe in luck, since one of its meanings is unlimited success. Given these meanings, tattoos with the image of this insect are applied by guys who love risk, speed, movement, and in this way hope to attract success.
It is believed that a tombo dragonfly tattoo brings good luck, which makes this species quite popular.
Girls
Girls are very fond of dragonfly tattoos. Yes, this is not surprising, because on the girl’s hand it means fragility and vulnerability, and at the same time courage, courage and curiosity. That is why it can often be found in brave and strong girls, such a tattoo seems to indicate that despite these expressive qualities of it, it still remains fragile and tender. It also symbolizes ease, grace, immortality and rebirth..
In ancient times, it was believed that the dragonfly is the guide of souls to the world of the dead. Therefore, they were treated with caution. So some believe that the dragonfly tattoo means the girl's attitude to dark forces, including witchcraft.
Dragonfly tattoo symbolizes frivolity. Often, it is this meaning that is attributed when they see this symbol in a girl, considering her frivolous and freedom-loving.
Do not also forget that the dragonfly tattoo has become so popular among girls precisely because its main meaning is a reflection of femininity. When applying this tattoo, girls strive to emphasize the lightness, grace and sophistication that it betrays to them.
They love to apply such a tattoo and free girls who want to show their disobedience and desire to remain free. To be reckoned with and treated as equals.
On the "zone"
The meaning of a dragonfly tattoo sometimes coincides with the meaning of a butterfly tattoo. So they were also often stuffed with women who led a dissolute lifestyle. However, not all types of such tattoos belong to this meaning.
Therefore, before considering a girl as such, you should carefully make sure where exactly the tattoo is made that has such a meaning. Usually such women are tattooed on the sacrum, it is there that this tattoo has this meaning.
