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

A dragon tattoo is suitable for powerful and self-confident people whose actions are based on noble principles. At the same time, do not forget that the dragon is a militant symbol. To wear it on the body means not to deny yourself the pleasure of challenging and crushingly go to victory.

Symbol meaning

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

If you decide to get a dragon tattoo, we recommend that you study the sketches and symbols in detail. One and the same plot can have different meanings - it is enough to miss an insignificant detail at first glance. Even small, barely visible dragon tattoos can have a global meaning.

Where to hit?

Understood the plot. Let's start choosing a place. This stage is very important, since the size and style of the tattoo depends on the location of the tattoo. You also need to specify all suitable places separately for male and female tattoos. On the bodies of guys for drawing a dragon, you can consider the following places and plots:

• An eagle with spread wings on its back. Such a tattoo will look aggressive and domineering.
• The dragon flying up will symbolize the spiritual principle and nobility.
• Shoulder blade tattoo. The dragon can be both in a frightening fire-breathing pose, and 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. Such a tattoo looks elegant and stylish, but not for everyone.

Girls can be offered the following options for tattoos with a dragon:

Styles

The 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 really appropriate.

Girls, on the other hand, prefer elegant compositions with small artsy details and patterns. A woman's back is an ideal place to test the master's professionalism and subtlety of work.

From the life of the stars

The extravagant singer Pink adorned her leg with a tattoo in the form of a dragon, and the beautiful Angelina Jolie boasts as many as two tattoos with a mythical fiery beast. Unfortunately, one of Jolie's tattoos was shown to the public in only one intimate photo shoot of the actress and did not "shine" anywhere else. Rooney Mara, the actress who played the girl with the dragon tattoo, naturally has a gorgeous 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.

Dragon tattoo has gained popularity all over the world. Each culture gives its own interpretation to the legendary winged creature. But in almost all interpretations there are similar features: dragons embody power, strength, longevity and wisdom. The dragon tattoo has been relevant for more than one century.

The Celts chose the dragon as a symbol of struggle, and among the Chinese and Japanese, the dragon was considered a divine being who was worshiped and built temples.

The dragon tattoo has gained particular popularity in recent years, after the release of the trilogy "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson and the film of the same name, based on the plot of the books. The main character is Lisbeth Salander, a complex and ambiguous hero, but undoubtedly she is the embodiment of a strong personality. The dragon in the book is used precisely as a symbol of the inner strength of the heroine. After the release of the books and the movie, many girls were inspired to get a dragon tattoo.

Dragon Tattoo Meaning

The symbolism of the dragon is always associated with the manifestation of divine power, wisdom, power, which can create and destroy. Dragons in legends often act as guardians of ancient treasures, in a modern interpretation this can be considered a metaphor. The dragon is the keeper of secret knowledge, not treasures and gold, but knowledge, skills, mastery that help people develop and be in harmony with the world.

Often, dragons act as monsters, fire-breathing creatures that attack people. Only the bravest and bravest warrior is able to defeat the dragon. In legends, warriors who defeated dragons gained eternal glory.

One of the most famous and popular legends about the dragon says that one must be able to defeat the dragon within oneself. For many people, the test of fame and fortune becomes a serious, and sometimes overwhelming burden. Therefore, a dragon tattoo in this case can mean a victory over one's own weaknesses and shortcomings.

Men's Dragon Tattoos - Dragon Tattoos for Men

Men very often choose the plot of dragon tattoos. The symbolism of strength, stamina, wisdom and invincible power are close to masculine nature. Strong personalities strive even in their tattoos to give themselves even more motivation for excellence. The dragon is strong, but there are warriors who have defeated the dragon. People who choose a dragon tattoo with this very message tell themselves that you should never lose a person inside yourself, do not fall under the deceptive influence of unlimited power, be strong, but remain a realist.

Male dragon tattoos mainly occupy large areas on the body. Often the tattoo is located on the back, arm, chest, a little less often you can find a dragon tattoo on the leg. These can be colorful bright tattoos in the Japanese style, and Celtic tie, and tribal and black and white tattoos.

Women's Dragon Tattoos - Dragon Tattoos for Girls

In addition to the heroine of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the popularity of tattoos with mythical winged creatures was added by the TV series Game of Thrones, based on the plots of the books A Song of Ice and Fire by J. R. R. Martin. The dragons of one of the main characters are Daenerys Targaryen, the embodiment of her omnipotence, her main assistants and weapons. Women all over the world see in this beautiful fairy tale an allegory of female power, which helps them to believe in themselves.

Girls tattoos with dragons are most often placed on the back, or arm. For small drawings of a dragon, it is suitable, and a larger dragon can gracefully curl up on the hip. Both color and black and white tattoos are equally loved and popular among women.

Realistic Dragon Tattoo

Dragon tattoos can depict fantasy-style dragons that are familiar to everyone from movies or computer games. Detailed, crisp images of dragons have long been a favorite subject in the tattoo world. The drawing may depict a dragon or individual parts of the image, such as the bright eyes of a dragon.

Tribal Dragon Tattoo

Dragon tattoo is popular due to Celtic ornaments. The Celts revered dragons and considered them the embodiment of combat power and power. Dragons were depicted on coats of arms, ornaments and amulets.

Dragon Tattoo Japanese Style

dragon tattooin Japanese culture - a symbol of the sun, good luck and longevity. with three toes. According to legend, the dragon is considered a sacred guardian spirit and is revered by people.

Dragon Tattoo Sketches

Before choosing a sketch for a tattoo, decide on which part of the body you would like to place it. For example, a drawing elongated in length will look more harmonious on the arm, and not a curled dragon on the thigh. Remember, the drawing should become part of your image, emphasize the beauty of the body, help you communicate with the outside world. A correctly selected and high-quality sketch will never bother you and will be not only a beautiful attribute, but also a favorite talisman.

Dragon tattoo for men- one of the brightest and most stylish tattoos. The dragon first appeared in Eastern mythology, then migrated to Western countries, where its image has changed greatly, as well as its meaning.

The meaning of a dragon tattoo for men

The image of the eastern dragon - a snake-like creature that is responsible for one of the elements, is considered a talisman. They symbolize the masculine Yang energy. In eastern countries, dragons are revered as rulers of the world. Therefore, dragons are considered symbols of imperial power. And the interpretation of a dragon tattoo for men is luck, positive, strength and leadership qualities. The dragon helps to defeat rivals and achieve your goals.

The meaning of the eastern dragon tattoo depends on the color of the drawing:

Red dragon - passion, love, aggression;

Yellow dragon - leadership, victory in any competition;

Black dragon - respect for one's ancestors, family values;

Blue dragon - calmness, harmony, meditation.

Dragon tattoo on the arm of a man - photo

Men's dragon tattoos - photo

The Western version of dragon tattoos for men are monsters that sow chaos and separation around. Outwardly, they resemble dinosaurs with bat wings, a long tail and neck. They live in caves and can incinerate with their fiery breath. The image of such dragons is unequivocally interpreted as a connection with evil, dark forces, destruction, natural aggression and rage.

Dragon tattoo on the wrist of a man - photo

Tattoo on the shoulder blade with a dragon for a man - photo

Dragon tattoo on the back - male photos

Western dragons are preferred by fans of the fantasy genre in literature and cinema. Often they are movie characters. And in the old days, warriors applied dragons to the body to cause fear in the enemy. It was believed that along with a person passes part of the destructive power and aggression of the dragon.

The dragon tattoo for men has ambiguous interpretations, and in order to understand the essence of this beast, all meanings must be taken into account.

How the dragon is depicted is also important:

A flying, upwardly directed dragon symbolizes development, striving for high goals, future victories;

A grinning eastern dragon is a symbol of power, a western dragon with a grin or flames is open aggression, fighting qualities, determination;

A calmly sitting dragon can be both a symbol of peace and mean the calm before the storm;

A dragon and a tattoo of a phoenix or a tiger is a symbol of the fusion of male and female principles, the struggle and unity of opposites.

Initially, the dragon tattoo was clearly considered male. Now these mythical animals are applied to their bodies and ladies.

Places for male dragon tattoos

Male dragon tattoos on the back are a bold but justified choice. This is an Eastern tradition, because initially only the emperor could do a tattoo with a dragon and the drawing was located along the spine. It was a symbol of indestructible power and fair rule. Another motive for choosing the back as a canvas is that there is a lot of space and space for creativity. If the purpose of the tattoo is to impress and inspire fear of the power of the mythical giant, the tattoo should be large enough and detailed. A small dragon will only cause tenderness. In general, this is a popular option for both men and girls.

Male dragon tattoos on the arm are another good option. The sleeve with the dragon looks especially impressive. If this is an oriental version, then it is often supplemented with "male" colors. This harmonizes the picture and creates a balance of aggression and calmness. Such tattoos were the privilege of brave samurai.

The male dragon tattoo on the shoulder also looks impressive. In addition, it is convenient both to hide it with clothes and to demonstrate it.

Asian dragon tattoo on the sternum - male photos

In addition, tattoos are often made on scars. A voluminous, large composition, made in bright colors, will easily cover even extended or numerous scars and give the image of masculinity.

The main thing is not to forget that the main point is the choice of an experienced master. This is extremely important when it comes to large tattoos. Male dragon tattoos should be done by a professional.

Among other things, a dragon tattoo can be used to cover up an old tattoo. Dense application of the pigment and a large area of ​​​​the composition will not leave a trace of an unsuccessful option.

The most popular execution styles are oriental, for oriental dragons; and realism for Westerners.

Dragon tattoos for men are chosen by strong and courageous people. They are ready to stand up for themselves and loved ones, are not afraid to fight and often win victories. They are born fighters and charismatic leaders. In addition, the image of a dragon on the body can betray fans of popular fantasy series and books. Such a tattoo is not suitable for weak and insecure men.

The dragon is a mythical animal whose existence is not attested. This image is surreal, but at the same time its image wins the hearts of many. In a single form, he is an unkind creature that seems very sweet. For all its uniqueness, the Dragon can have a completely different look.

The meaning of the dragon tattoo

The Dragon tattoo in any form has an exact meaning. But it is important to remember that the appearance of a creature can somewhat change the essence of the tattoo. The traditional dragon with wings and tail is a sign of power. Among the peoples of China, this image indicated that a person has a high status. A dragon was applied on the back to those who ruled over people. It was permissible to apply the animal on the back along the spine for both men and women. A somewhat different interpretation of the sign of the symbol was in the settlements of the Greek and Roman civilizations. Here the image of the dragon was a sign of terror. But in Buddhism, this sign has always been a protector. Some traditional characteristics of the image of the Dragon have been preserved, but in modern times they are already interpreted differently.

The modern meaning of the image

The Dragon tattoo on the human body (in any zone) speaks more about his character. Some choose the sign as their own protector, endowing the image with a personal disposition. Most often, it is the personal wishes of a person that have the main influence on the overall image.

The image of the dragon in the culture of China and Japan

This image appeared in China and Japan, and then spread to the whole world. Today, the image of this creature has its popularity, and therefore it is important to know what the Dragon tattoo means and who and when applies it. It is important to note that the symbolism of the image is preserved. As before, the Dragon symbolizes heroic strength and individuality. Many years ago, the peoples of Asia and the East worshiped the creature, and all because they knew that the Dragon was immortal. At the moment, the image of the creature is not uncommon, it is popular among both men and women. All kinds of transformations of the image are applied by those who are self-confident, who have physical stamina, spiritual strength.

The incredibly powerful energy of the supernatural snake attracts many to the image of its silhouette on the body. The wise and noble dragon, bringing prosperity and good luck, today has become an inseparable companion of tattoo art.

Dragon in the back of a guy

Great and terrible

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

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, personified strength, knowledge, harmony, good luck and health. The abilities of such a dragon are unlimited, it can turn into even a small speck of dust, even the whole Universe, and controls the four cardinal points and four elements.

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

Realistic dragon on hand

Fact. Members of Eastern forensic groups often have a large, bright image of a dragon on their backs or chests. However, this does not bother the Europeans to apply the same pattern on themselves.

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

Probably, dislike for the supernatural creature came to Europe from Christianity, where the serpent-tempter holds out the notorious apple to Eve. The serpent 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 inexplicable forces of being. The Scottish flag is decorated with a fiery red dragon. If we take a generalized image of a 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 a photo of its options in our article.

Chinese dragon tattoo on arm

Symbolism

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

Whatever you are interested in a dragon tattoo, its meaning comes down to the following components:

• good luck and prosperity;
• Flawless beauty;
• Nobility, greatness and power;
• Imagination and the ability to go beyond the existing framework;
• Fearlessness, strength and courage;
• Wisdom and craving for knowledge;
• Longevity and immortality.

Japanese style dragon sleeve tattoo

How to portray 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, closes the scar on his shoulder. Celebrities such as Lenny Kravets, Jack Osbourne, Pink and others also have this creature.

The body of the Chinese mythical character is serpentine and wingless, despite this he is able to fly. The number of scales of the Chinese dragon is 117, and each of its paws has 5 claws. A burning pearl is usually depicted in front of him, personifying his ability to control atmospheric phenomena, and his appearance is warlike.

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

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

Realistic dragon with crown

Image variants and color symbolism

Depending on the meaning that the dragon tattoo carries, its sketches will vary greatly:

• The horned dragon denotes the determination of the tattoo wearer.
• The dragon, standing firmly on the ground, indicates the connection between the earthly and heavenly spheres.
• The flying dragon patronizes the gods, strengthens the faith and strength of the human spirit.
• The bared teeth of the creature will speak of aggression and the 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.
• The image of a fabulous animal in puffs of smoke or flame is popular.
• The mythical creature, made in golden hues, symbolizes wisdom and the desire for knowledge.
• The yellow animal will mark victory.
• The green serpent will indicate the owner's connection with the earthly sphere.
• White, black, red and blue creatures are each responsible for their side of the world and elements. At the same time, black symbolizes respect for parents, blue symbolizes peace, red - both passion and aggressive protection.
• If the flight of the dragon is directed upward, then the carrier 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.
• The unrealistic image of the dragon, its fabulous, cartoonish drawing is typical for the female.

Chinese dragon tattoo on calf

It is said that the dragon tattoo is very beaten. 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 of female elegance and grace.

Marina, Pskov

Place of drawing

The main plot of my sleeve revolves around a flying dragon. I like this composition for the 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