Dragons are some of the most iconic and visually impressive characters in collective imagery, and they have held a lofty status for as long as anyone can remember.
It’s easy to see why dragon tattoos have become so popular. After all, mythical, magical serpents that fly and breathe fire make for impressive body art.
Known in almost all traditions for their intelligence and ferocity, dragon tattoos could represent the following characteristics:
- Wisdom
- Longevity
- Strength and Power
- Prosperity and good fortune
- Spirituality
- Tranquillity
- Emotional strength
- Creation/destruction dichotomy
- Masculinity
- Desire and Sexual Passion
With the dragon’s infinite longevity and wisdom comes complexity. As with most tattoos, though, the meanings are what the wearers decide them to be.
Asian Dragon Tattoos
The dragon is wound deeply throughout Asian culture, appearing frequently in the folklore of China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries.
Asian dragons are usually considered to be good omens representing noble characteristics. The Chinese dragon is said to embody wisdom, good luck, and goodwill, and the Japanese dragon represents balance.
This theme of balance is often a reason people give for choosing a dragon tattoo design.
The colors of Asian dragon tattoos are also thought to have meaning, such as:
- Green represents the earth and life itself
- Blue represents compassion and forgiveness
- Yellow represents helpfulness
- Gold represents wisdom, kindness, and benevolence
- Black represents longevity and wisdom
Asian dragons strongly resemble serpents, with designs that depict them winding their way through existence, and they often lack the bat-like wings typical of European dragon designs.
Full-body Japanese tattoos of amazing complexity often include dragons, and are commonly associated with the Yakuza, or Japanese mafia.
Read more about Japanese tattoos — click here.
European Dragon Tattoos
From stories such as Beowulf, dragons have been depicted in European legend and literature as dark, evil, and menacing, but also highly intelligent and free to do as it chooses without regard for authority.
Since European dragons have been considered throughout history and folklore as menaces with frightening and threatening power that must be slain, they are images that dare anyone to challenge the wearer.
Some people feel that dragon tattoos represent potential threat — reminders that they can be consumed by the evil within, such as addiction, unless they remain vigilant.
Larger and More Detailed Projects
The dragon is a popular and powerful theme for men and women alike.
While designs can be drawn up in various sizes, the detailing and shading involved in most depictions are usually more suitable for larger-sized projects.
Dragons can be depicted in a variety of different styles from realistic to abstract, from cartoonish to dramatic, in solid-colored ink or in color, so they leave a wide range of options to consider.
Due to it’s serpentine form, a dragon tattoo design can be manipulated to fit almost any location on the body, with the most popular placements being the shoulder and thigh.
For larger designs, it’s important to remember that the size and amount of detail involved will require a number of extensive sessions with your artist, particularly if you’re considering the full-body variety.
Dragon Tattoos: Locating the Right Artist
With such complex design work to be done and long hours in the chair required for most dragon tattoos, it’s important that you feel comfortable with your artist.
This is a decision you may want to think through, so I’d like to invite you to learn more about how to choose the artist that’s right for you — click here.