Dragon legends are found in the folklore of many cultures. Sometimes one wants to ask the question: “Maybe these monsters really once existed on our planet?” However, we still do not get a reliable answer. Meanwhile, from time immemorial, winged fire-breathing lizards are found not only in myths, but also in the art of underwear images. What about the dragon and why quite often the representatives of the stronger sex also choose this particular creature as a sketch for a tattoo?
Dragons in World History
In all cultures, dragons were considered incredibly strong, dexterous 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. Often, dragons are endowed with magical abilities, such as the ability to see the past and future, or even move through time and space. The attitude of the public towards these mythical characters is ambiguous. In one culture, dragons are considered the protectors of honest people and fair judges, and in another, they are evil monsters that destroy everything in their path. Accordingly, the tattoos of girls with a dragon can be perceived differently. In one case, this is a desire to increase internal forces, and in the other, it is a frank challenge to society.
Popularity of winged monsters
Old myths are gradually being 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 the messengers of the gods. However, even today they are depicted on national clothes and decorative items in a special national style. European dragons are nothing like their Chinese relatives. These are pangolins with four legs and often a fairly large body, which, as a rule, have a long neck and tail, 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 awakened by literary works in the fantasy genre and movies, the plots of which are saturated with magic and sorcery. A huge number of clients visited tattoo parlors with a request to stuff a mythical monster on their body after the release of the film "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Of course, the main character of this picture had such a wearable 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 power. The heavenly monsters are not without nobility and wisdom. After all, even if the dragon serves evil, he always acts thoughtfully and more often goes 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 prove themselves, become more confident and stand out from the crowd. If you are going to make such a tattoo, carefully consider the sketch. After all, dragons are also different: angry, attacking, serene in flight, or even joyful and contented. However, sometimes a tattoo with this creature is done for an easily explainable motive. Do not 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.
photo, 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 leather 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. Do not forget about abstract sketches or silhouette images, for which oriental dragons are great.
Where to fill such a tattoo?
Even Western dragons, due to their popularity in modern art, do not carry an unambiguously negative meaning today. Therefore, you can fill a tattoo with their image anywhere. Of course, going to the master, think about the style of your life. For example, in many reputable companies, employees are still forbidden to get tattoos on open ones. In this case, a dragon tattoo on the back will not be a tribute to fashion after watching a movie, but a really sensible way out of the situation. For those who do not obey the dress code, the mythical creature will be an excellent decoration of the body in any part of it. Many apply this or their wrists, girls choose the abdomen, chest or lower back. The dragon tattoo on the shoulder looks just as good. What is especially nice, this symbol is universal, and the sketches presented in the article are equally well suited for girls and young people.
The dragon is an image of power, strength and wisdom. Today, he is one of the most popular and well-known mythical creatures. He is depicted as a huge creature, something like a snake, with large claws, horns and a long beard, and with the ability to exhale a fiery flame. The dragon is mystic, supernatural. The history of the appearance of Dragons goes deep into the legends and myths of different peoples of Asia and Western Europe. In the West, he was symbolized with evil, dark forces, in the East with divine power, they considered him a protector and savior. Therefore, the attitude towards the Dragon among different peoples is very different.
As already mentioned, the image of the Dragon came to us from Asia and Western Europe, and more specifically from China and Japan.
For Chinese culture- The dragon is symbolized as a deity who has control over rain, lightning and the four natural elements. The abilities of this mythical creature are so huge that the property of reincarnation is subject to it. He personifies the power, infinite wisdom and harmony of his inner world.
In Japanese culture The dragon came from China, and meant luck, wisdom, guardianship and strength. According to legend, the sacred carp Koi (a symbol of courage and luck) had the ability to turn into a Dragon. Many emperors had the honor to depict the Dragon symbol on clothes and symbols, as a sign of majesty and some kind of origin from this creature.
Unlike positive Eastern images, in Western Europe the Dragon was a negative being. He was depicted as a lizard, with huge wings, a tail and a thick, impenetrable skin. According to legend, he burned entire villages, attacked people and dragged them into his dungeons. With the advent of Christianity, the European image of the Dragon was given the face of the devil, and it is depicted in the "bible" as a violent evil.
The Celts The dragon personified toughness and vital wisdom. He served the god of the earth and was a symbol of sovereign power.
In Rus' the analogue of the Dragon was the Serpent-Gorynych. He was a very vile and dangerous creature. According to legend, whoever was able to defeat him was considered a brave and courageous person.
In Greek and Roman civilization, the image of the Dragon meant a symbol of terror. It was applied to armor by Roman soldiers in order to intimidate their opponents.
In Buddhism The dragon is the protector of the Buddha and his laws. His symbol was applied to temples to protect them from dark forces.
The meaning and position of the dragon tattoo
A dragon tattoo has a different meaning for each person and can mean a lot. However, the main meanings of the tattoo Dragon in Eastern interpretation are:
- Greatness;
- Force;
- Great wisdom;
- Bravery;
- Longevity;
- Mysteriousness;
- Power.
Concerning Western Europe, then here the value has a reverse side and means:
- Chaos;
- Destruction;
- Insidiousness.
In East Asian crime groups such as the Triad or the Yakuza, the colorful image of the Dragon tattoo is a highly respected and revered symbol.
In general, the meaning of the Dragon tattoo has a lot of options, both bad and good. It all depends on the style of the tattoo, the choice of sketch and color.
Depending on the meanings of the Dragon tattoo, there are a large number of variants of this pattern:
- sleeping dragon- a symbol of spiritual harmony;
- Dragon, multi-colored(often it is white, black, red and blue) - indicates a connection with the natural elements;
- dragon with tiger- a variation of the Yin-Yang symbol.
- Dragon flying up- indicates friendly intentions;
- horned dragon- means the determination of the owner of the tattoo;
- dragon with wings- Strengthening faith and fortitude;
- Dragon crawling on the ground- indicates the connection between the earthly and heavenly elements;
- Dragon, with bared teeth– aggression and danger;
- Dragon, with golden hues- indicates wisdom and desire for knowledge of the new;
- Dragon flying down- denotes unfriendly intentions;
- dragon with coins- wealth and prosperity;
- Dragon in Celtic style- means power, strength and spirituality;
- Two dragons that compete with each other- a duel of Yin-Yang forces;
- Dragons that chase each other's tails- a symbol of the creative action of Yin-Yang.
Before you fill "tattoo" on the body, you should choose the location very carefully. After that, the optimal size and style of the tattoo is selected. The dragon is a majestic creature and is mainly depicted in large scale versions and on large parts of the body:
- back;
- breast;
- or combined, that is, the pattern is made passing to the shoulder, arm, neck, collarbone or thigh.
Masters, with the help of their imagination, depict the Dragon tattoo on the back so brightly, colorfully and harmoniously, and looking at the final result, it is impossible to look away, because this is a magnificent and exciting sight.
In ancient times, Chinese emperors tattooed the Dragon on their entire back to show their power and might.
Tattoo in the form of a Dragon tattoo masters do not recommend applying to small parts of the body, such as the foot, calf, forearm or wrist. This is due to the fact that due to the small area of the body, it is impossible to display all the power and beauty of the Dragon. But if you still opted for one of the listed parts of the body, then it is recommended to apply a Chinese-style Dragon tattoo. With thin lines and expressiveness, this drawing will look more organic on your body.
The color scheme and style of the tattoo
As a rule, a dragon tattoo is applied to the body in bright colors, in order to show all the beauty of this creature. The colors of the Dragon tattoo palette play a very important role and say a lot:
- Black - symbolizes respect;
- Blue - calmness, openness;
- Yellow - victory, conquest;
- Golden - wisdom, compassion;
- Red - passion, anger and hostility;
- Dark green - courage, courage.
The Dragon tattoo on the body is usually depicted in the following styles:
- Oriental;
- New school;
- Traditional;
- Tribal.
As for the girls, they mainly choose elegant sketches with patterns and the addition of different colors and inscriptions.
Meaning for guys and girls
The design of the tattoo is basically the same for both sexes. The guys, in turn, choose "aggressive tatto designs" such as a Dragon with an open mouth, a Dragon with a flame, a Dragon with a sword, etc. Dark shades predominate in these tattoos, however, other colors also take place.
As for the girls, they mainly choose elegant sketches with patterns and the addition of different colors and inscriptions. In turn, cartoon dragon tattoos look very playful.
Tattoo compatibility with other symbols
Basically, the Dragon tattoo is depicted solo, or in combination with other elements:
- Tiger;
- Koi carp;
- Hieroglyph;
- Phoenix;
- Fire, Flame;
- Cross;
- Flowers.
Conclusion
Summing up, I would like to add only one thing, that such a noble creature as a Dragon will only decorate your body, and you, in turn, must approach the choice of a tattoo sketch with great responsibility in order to choose exactly the drawing that you will like not only on eye, but also suitable for your inner world.
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 dragon tattoo on shoulder and shoulder blade
Video: review of dragon tattoos
Dragon tattoo sketches
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 type of 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.
One of the most imposing and inspiring mythical creatures is the dragon. Their influence on culture is especially strong in Asian countries. Most people around the world put the image of a dragon on the body.
Dragon tattoos and their features
The history of dragons is deeply rooted in ancient China and Japan. In many mythical tales of Eastern culture, the dragon is depicted as a huge flying creature, exhaling fire. The main meaning of the dragon is mysticism (mystery) and power. Thanks to this interpretation, dragon tattoos are very popular with both sexes. These images were especially popular in Western Europe and the USA.
In the article, the site wrote in detail about the meaning of dragon tattoos, depending on the culture.
In this article, we will pay attention to the location and color of the tattoo, which also carry a certain meaning of the entire composition.
Dragon tattoo and its location
When choosing a dragon tattoo design, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it's the location. Depending on the area of the body, the optimal size and style of the tattoo is selected. In addition, the pose of the dragon can affect the presentability of the picture.
If a dragon with spread wings and bared teeth, then this indicates aggression and hostility, combined with power.
dragon with spread wings and teethIf the dragon lies peacefully, then this indicates the peace of mind and tranquility of the owner of the tattoo.
If the dragon rushes up, the person has a positive attitude and good intentions.
If the dragon flies down - be careful, its owner has bad intentions.
A dragon tattoo looks best on large areas of the body, since all the greatness of this mythical graceful creature cannot be conveyed through a small drawing. For this reason, the back is one of the most suitable places for a dragon tattoo. A whole canvas is revealed in front of you, on which you can create an impressive picture.
As for a tattoo for a girl, then the fair sex often chooses the fairy style, that is, images of fairy-tale creatures in an original fairy-tale design.
Dragon tattoo and its color
For a dragon tattoo, color plays an important role. Depending on the palette, the value of the image also changes. Let's talk about the most common colors of dragons:
Black dragon: respect for parents.
Blue or blue dragon: often speaks of calmness, peace, compassion, openness and immortality.
Red Dragon: on the one hand - love, passion, on the other - anger and hostility. However, the red dragon turns its anger towards the protection of the family, so it can be considered a protector. Very often, parents choose this color because they protect and guard their children all their lives.
Golden Dragon: wisdom, kindness and gentleness.
yellow dragon: this image was often used in the East during military campaigns, obviously, the meaning in the modern world can be interpreted as conquest, attack and victory.
Thus, men get this tattoo mainly to show their power and strength. Women use this image to try to communicate their maternal instincts and women's needs to create and protect the home.
dragon tattoo for guys
The design of the tattoo is basically the same for both sexes. However, sometimes guys choose a more "tough" image of the dragon. Very often with spread wings, bared teeth and flames from the mouth. The preferred color for males is black, red. However, other colors are also available.
dragon tattoo for girls
Girls love to decorate their dragon with flowers, inscriptions; you can often see fairy motifs. Sometimes the dragon itself is depicted in such an intricate pose that even such a formidable creature looks very feminine and interesting.
