The meaning of the Japanese dragon tattoo. Dragon tattoos for men: choosing one for yourself Sketch of a dragon eye tattoo

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. Dragon tattoos have been relevant for centuries.

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 Stieg Larsson’s trilogy “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” 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 heroine’s inner strength. After the release of the books and the movie, many girls were inspired to get a dragon tattoo.

Meaning of Dragon Tattoo

The symbolism of the dragon is always associated with the manifestation of divine power, wisdom, and power, which can create and destroy. Dragons in legends often act as guardians of ancient treasures; in 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.

Dragons often appear 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 you need to be able to defeat the dragon within yourself. 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 victory over one’s own weaknesses and shortcomings.

Men's Dragon Tattoos - Dragon Tattoos for Men

Men very often choose dragon tattoos as their subject. The symbolism of strength, resilience, wisdom and invincible power is close to the male 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 the person inside you, do not fall under the deceptive influence of limitless power, be strong, but remain realistic.

Men's dragon tattoos generally occupy large areas on the body. Often the tattoo is located on the back, arm, chest, and 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 script, 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 to the series “Game of Thrones,” based on the stories 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 to believe in themselves.

Girls often place tattoos with dragons on their back or arm. For small dragon designs, it is suitable, but a larger dragon can curl gracefully on the hip. Both color and black and white tattoos are equally loved and popular among women.

Dragon Tattoo in Realistic Style

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

Dragon Tattoo in Tribal Style

Dragon tattoos are popular due to Celtic ornaments. The Celts revered dragons and considered them the embodiment of military might and power. Dragons were depicted on coats of arms, ornaments and amulets.

Dragon Tattoo in 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 design for a tattoo, decide on what part of the body you would like it to be placed. For example, an elongated pattern on the hand will look more harmonious, rather than a curled dragon on the hip. Remember, the drawing should become part of your image, emphasize the beauty of your body, and help you communicate with the outside world. A correctly selected and high-quality sketch will never bore you and will be not only a beautiful attribute, but also a favorite talisman.

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 its entirety, it represents an evil creature that seems very cute. For all its uniqueness, the Dragon can have a completely different appearance.

Dragon tattoo meaning

A Dragon tattoo in any form has an exact meaning. But it is important to remember that the appearance of the 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 had a high status. Those who ruled over people had a dragon on their backs. It was acceptable to paint the animal on the back along the spine for both men and women. The settlements of Greek and Roman civilizations had a slightly different interpretation of the symbol. Here the image of a 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.

Modern meaning of the image

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

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

This image appeared in China and Japan, and then spread throughout the world. Today, the image of this creature has its own popularity, and therefore it is important to know what the Dragon tattoo means and who applies it and when. 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 image transformations are carried out by those who are confident in themselves, who have physical stamina, and spiritual strength.

The dragon came to Japan from China and was also a divine creature who had control over the elements of water and air. He was the main character of a large number of myths and legends. In its appearance it was similar to the Chinese dragon, however, there were 2 differences:

• the number of toes on his paw - there were three;
• number of heads - there were several of them.

The Japanese dragon was closely connected with people, and if he was treated with reverence and respect, then in return he could thank his admirer with a treasure, because they were very rich.

The Japanese dragon had the ability to transform into any creature, which he often used to come to the world of mere mortals. However, there were also bad dragons that brought chaos and destruction. Among these, the Japanese dragon “Yamata no Orochi” is an eight-headed and eight-tailed lizard with one body. This dragon had the demonic power of the world of the dead and devoured all mortals. Every head of his had a meaning: death, greed, destruction, betrayal, hatred, ugliness, envy, murder and greed. After eight years of terror, he was defeated by a mythical hero named "Susanoo".

Nowadays, temples in honor of dragons have been built in Japan, which are located on the shores of lakes, rivers and seas. Sculptures of dragons decorate many Buddhist temples, thereby showing their importance in the human world.

Meaning of Japanese dragon tattoo

The Japanese dragon tattoo, first of all, means well-being, intelligence, positive energy and protection. This tattoo brings good luck and symbolizes long life, wisdom and fearlessness.

In the criminal world, this tattoo is very revered, especially in the criminal group called the Yakuza. Its participants paint a drawing of a Japanese dragon on their body and chest, thereby showing everyone around them their power and belonging to a criminal structure.

Position, color and compatibility of tattoos

Some of the popular places to get a Japanese dragon tattoo are the back, arm and chest. As a rule, a Japanese dragon tattoo is made in volume in order to draw all the important parts.

Regarding color, looking at photos and drawings of the Japanese dragon, you can see that black, gold, red and green colors are predominantly used, which look most favorable in combination. Stylistically, a Japanese dragon tattoo is depicted in the style of "Orietal" with the addition of various components:

• Tiger;
• Koi carp;
• Hieroglyph;
• Phoenix;
• Fire, flame;
• Flowers.

The Japanese dragon tattoo is a very powerful symbol and the person who wants to put it on their body must be energetically compatible with it and have an affinity with its meaning.

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 a 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 with 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.