Dragon tattoos. Dragon tattoo meaning

The dragon is a mythological creature that gained great popularity in the 20th and 21st centuries. His image has always been associated with a test that must be overcome in order to get what he wants.

Initially, the dragon tattoo had the meaning of all-consuming evil, but gradually in the process of studying its image was revised and over time acquired the status of a friend of man. In later interpretations, it receives a positive meaning and indicates that in terms of their spiritual and physical qualities, dragons are no worse than people.

What does a dragon tattoo mean?

Dragons are very popular as body designs. They symbolize power, strength and wisdom. Previously, the creatures were considered proof of imperial power, which is why they were located along the spine of all Chinese emperors and their wives.

A dragon tattoo symbolizes mystery, nobility and strength, magic and the ability to go beyond the limits of the possible, perseverance and beauty, as well as loyalty. Creatures were always depicted in different ways, however, in all mythologies they embodied limitless wisdom.

In the tradition of the Far East, dragons symbolized the four natural elements: earth, fire, water and air. Their images were also associated with the cardinal directions: north, south, west and east.

Warriors of the Roman and Greek civilizations wore armor with the image of a dragon as a symbol of terror. He was portrayed in the West as an evil force that must be defeated. The Celts considered it a symbol of power and associated it with the human life cycle.

The dragon tattoo is a classic option and is used among both men and women. Girls most often choose colorful designs, which are placed mainly on the shoulder. Men tend to have them depicted on their arms, since this is where the tattoo is most noticeable. It is not recommended to print designs on the leg; this is not the most suitable place for a dragon.

Depending on the location of the tattoo, its meaning may vary:

1. A dragon with folded wings indicates peace of mind and balance.
2. The body of a creature directed upward speaks of good intentions and a positive attitude.
3. The dragon's body, directed downwards, on the contrary, indicates negative intentions.
4. Bare teeth and spread wings signify the owner’s authority and hostility.

In places of deprivation of liberty, only the dragon hovering over the castle is given special meaning. The drawing indicates that the person was punished and went to prison for theft of property or its complete confiscation, as punishment, from its owner. In Japan and China, a tattoo of a mythical creature on the back or chest indicates that its owner belongs to forensic structures.

In general, the meaning of a dragon tattoo represents neither good nor evil. The creature is the embodiment of the forces of nature, which can be both good and noble, and cruel and evil. Therefore, the image is ambiguous, including symbols of earth, water, sky and the underworld.

Dragon tattoo: photo

The dragon is an image of power, strength and wisdom. Today he is one of the most popular and famous mythical creatures. He is depicted as a huge creature, somewhat similar to a snake, with large claws, horns and a long beard, and with the ability to breathe out fiery flames. The dragon is mystic, supernatural. The history of the appearance of Dragons goes deep into the legends and myths of various peoples of Asia and Western Europe. In the West he was symbolized with evil, dark forces, in the East with divine power, he was considered a protector and savior. Therefore, the attitude towards the Dragon varies greatly among different nations.

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 enormous that he is subject to the property of reincarnation. He personifies strength, infinite wisdom and harmony of his inner world.

To Japanese culture The dragon came from China and meant luck, wisdom, guardianship and strength. According to legends, the sacred Koi carp (a symbol of courage and luck) had the ability to turn into a Dragon. Many emperors had the honor of depicting the Dragon symbol on their clothes and symbols, as a sign of majesty and a certain origin from this creature.

Unlike positive eastern images, in Western Europe the Dragon was a negative creature. He was depicted as a lizard, with huge wings, a tail and a thick impenetrable skin. According to legends, he burned out 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 he is depicted in the “bible” as a raging evil.

Among the Celts The dragon personified toughness and life 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 in Roman civilization, the image of the Dragon meant a symbol of terror. It was applied to the armor of Roman soldiers in order to intimidate their opponents.

In Buddhism The dragon is the protector of 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 many things. However, the main meanings of tattoos are Dragon in Eastern interpretation are:

• Greatness;
• Force;
• Tremendous wisdom;
• Bravery;
• Longevity;
• Mysteriousness;
• Power.

Concerning Western Europe, then the meaning here has the opposite side and means:

• Chaos;
• Destruction;
• Deceit.

In East Asian criminal groups such as the Triad or 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 good and bad. It all depends on the style of the tattoo, the choice of design and color.

Depending on the meaning of the Dragon tattoo, there are a large number of variants of this design:

• Sleeping dragon– a symbol of spiritual harmony;
• Dragon, in multi-colored colors(often white, black, red and blue) - indicates a connection with natural elements;
• Dragon and 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 shades– indicates wisdom and the desire to learn new things;
• Dragon flying down– denotes unfriendly intentions;
• Dragon with coins– wealth and prosperity;
• Dragon in Celtic style- means power, strength and spirituality;
• Two Dragons who compete with each other– duel of Yin-Yang forces;
• Dragons chasing each other's tails- a symbol of the creative action of Yin-Yang.

Before getting a “tattoo” on your body, you should choose the location very carefully. After which the optimal size and style of 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 to extend to the shoulder, arm, neck, collarbone or thigh.

Masters, with the help of their imagination, depict a tattoo in the form of a Dragon on the back so brightly, colorfully and harmoniously, and looking at the end result, it is impossible to take your eyes off, because it 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 artists do not recommend applying Dragon tattoos 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 choose one of the listed body parts, then it is recommended to apply a Dragon tattoo in the Chinese style. With fine lines and expressiveness, this design will look more organic on your body.

Color scheme and style of tattoo

As a rule, a tattoo with the image of a Dragon 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 speak volumes:

• Black – symbolizes respect;
• Blue – calm, openness;
• Yellow – victory, conquest;
• Golden – wisdom, compassion;
• Red – passion, anger and hostility;
• Dark green – courage, bravery.

A Dragon tattoo on the body is usually depicted in the following styles:

• Oriental;
• New School;
• Traditional;
• Tribal.

As for girls, they mainly choose elegant sketches with patterns and the addition of different colors and inscriptions.

Meaning for boys and girls

The tattoo design is basically the same for both sexes. Guys, in turn, choose “aggressive tattoo designs” such as Dragon with an open mouth, Dragon with flame, Dragon with a sword, etc. Dark shades predominate in these tattoos, however, other colors also exist.

As for girls, they mainly choose elegant sketches with patterns and the addition of different colors and inscriptions. In turn, cartoon Dragon tattoos look very playful.

Combination of tattoos 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

To summarize, I would like to add only one thing, that such a noble creature as the Dragon will only decorate your body, and you, in turn, must approach the choice of a tattoo design with great responsibility in order to choose exactly the design that you will like not only eye, but will also suit your inner world.

One of the most impressive and inspiring mythical creatures is the dragon. Their influence on culture is especially strong in Asian countries. Most people around the world wear a dragon on their 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 that breathes fire. The main meaning of the dragon is mysticism (riddle) and power. Thanks to this interpretation, dragon tattoos are very popular among both sexes. These images gained particular popularity 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 to the entire composition.

Dragon tattoo and its location

When choosing a dragon as a tattoo design, you need to keep the following things in mind. Firstly, this is the location. Depending on the area of ​​the body, the optimal size and style of tattoo is selected. In addition, the pose of the dragon can affect the presentability of the drawing.

If a dragon has spread wings and bare teeth, then this speaks of aggression and hostility combined with power.

If the dragon lies peacefully, then this indicates the mental balance and tranquility of the owner of the tattoo.

If the dragon rushes upward, the person has a positive attitude and good intentions.

If a 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 design. For this reason, the back is one of the most suitable places for a dragon tattoo. A whole canvas opens up in front of you on which you can create an impressive painting.

As for tattoos for girls, the fair sex often choose 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 meaning of the image changes. Let's talk about the most common colors of dragons:

Black dragon: respect for parents.

Blue or light blue dragon: Often speaks of calm, tranquility, 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 into protecting its family, so it can be considered a protector. Very often, parents choose this color because they protect and protect their children all their lives.

Golden Dragon: wisdom, kindness and kindness.

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. With the help of this image, women are trying to convey their maternal instincts and feminine needs in creating and protecting a home.

Dragon tattoo for guys

The tattoo design is basically the same for both sexes. However, sometimes guys choose a more “hard” dragon image. Very often with spread wings, bared teeth and flames from the mouth. The preferred color for males is black and red. However, other colors also exist.

Dragon tattoo for girls

Girls love to decorate their dragon with flowers and inscriptions; Fairy motifs can often be seen. Sometimes the dragon itself is depicted in such an intricate pose that even such a formidable creature looks very feminine and interesting.

Dragon Tattoo- a draconian measure of transformation? The image of the animal is filled with nuances, details, and bizarre curves. This picture looks impressive only on large areas of the body.

Tiny snakes are either too sketchy or blurry. The abundance of details in a small area dazzles the eye. So, should you decide or not to undergo a draconian transformation? Perhaps the suggested values ​​will help you find the answer.

The meaning of the Dragon tattoo

Meaning tattoos, by the way, are not associated with the epithet “draconian”. This adjective is formed on behalf of one of the legislators of Ancient Greece. There lived a man in Athens, his name was Drakon. The lawyer created a set of laws with severe penalties.

For example, theft was punishable by death. The document was aimed exclusively at the aristocracy. The lack of leniency towards the powers that be was heatedly discussed in society. Some said “draconian measures” and “draconian laws” with admiration, others with indignation.

But, let's move from Draco to the dragon. The mythical serpent on the body may indicate the year of birth of a person. There is no dragon in the zodiac circle, but it appears in the eastern calendar.

Thus, Charles Perrault, Lewis Carroll, Marina Tsvetaeva, Ronald Tolkien, Joseph Brodsky were born in the “fire-breathing” years. Chinese Dragon Tattoo would have been justified on the bodies of Maxim Gorky and Alexander Blok.

It is no coincidence that the selection of people includes only writers and poets. According to statistics, the year of the dragon is especially generous to them and, in general, to creative individuals. Therefore, a tattoo is also considered a symbol of art, a flight of fantasy.

People also fantasized about the dragons themselves. There are with and without wings, with and without scales, with one and several heads. All these snakes are divided into Chinese, Japanese and European. Each has its own characteristics and, of course, interpretation.

So, Japanese Dragon tattoo, often performed in blue, blue, green tones. The snake's habitat is water. The meaning is also associated with this element. The dragon of the Land of the Rising Sun can be quiet and docile, but when it rages, it destroys everything in its path, like the flows of rivers and seas.

Japanese dragons tattoo, on which snakes with many heads and tails appear. The inhabitants of the waters are covered with scales and have 3 claws on each of their 4 paws. Chinese fire-breathing claws have 5 claws on their feet. They often have no wings, but live in the sky. There is a special meaning hidden in this.

The animal is given the gift of flight due to divine energy, and not special devices. The image of a dragon on the body is associated with chosenness. For many centuries, tattoos with fire-breathers were applied only to representatives of the imperial family. They did Dragon tattoo on back.

Chinese snakes are personified only with goodness and creation. The color scheme of animals is orange-red. European dragons are gray and brown. They have 4 claws and 2 paws. wings available.

There is one tail, and three heads. The snakes of the West symbolize evil, vice and deceit. It is enough to remember the Serpent Gorynych, and you don’t have to guess What does a dragon tattoo mean?.

Since ancient times, fire-breathers have been disliked in Rus', considering them to be creatures of Hell and dungeons. It is not for nothing that St. George the Victorious appeared on the coat of arms of Moscow back in the 14th century, piercing a snake with a spear. The plot was approved by Dmitry Donskoy.

He noted that the painting would become a symbol of the victory of the Russians over the “filthy” pagans. Considering this, Dragon tattoo pictures, often chosen by keepers of the ancient faith, fans of the occult and esotericism.

Types of dragon tattoos

Dragon tattoo - designs, which are divided not only by territoriality, but also by gender. There are males and females. The latter have fan-shaped or bushy tails. Male fire-breathers are distinguished by their tails in the shape of peaks or triangles.

Dragons of the weaker sex can be depicted as hybrids, with female heads and fragments of girls' bodies. Such tattoos are especially popular in Germany. There is an expression there: “dragon food”.

The phrase means an offering to a wife for some offense. Like, if you don’t appease him, he’ll incinerate you. So it becomes dragon tattoo photo, reminiscent of your beloved.

The image of dracaenas is also indirectly connected with dragons. This is flowers. Named after the legend of a fierce serpent. Once upon a time, he lived on one of the islands of the Arabian Sea. The dragon attacked the elephants and drank their blood.

Dying, one of the victims fell on the offender and crushed him. Now, dragon blood has already been shed. She nourished the earth. Flowering trees grew on it. Locals called them dracaenas. The translation of the word is “female dragon.”

Men's dragon tattoos, as a rule, are depicted as fierce, in a fighting mood at least at the moment of breathing fire. The category of sketches for girls, on the contrary, is distinguished by peaceful snakes.

They can look thoughtfully into the distance, hide their children under their wings, and shed a tear. May meet girl with dragon tattoo- cartoons.

Dragon tattoos are not necessarily paintings. Only the word can be used. For example, the motto of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is popular.

The phrase “Do not wake the sleeping dragon,” according to the book “Harry Potter,” is inscribed on the coat of arms of the educational institution. The original sentence is written in English.

There are also tattoo parlor "Dragon"", a system of Sicilian chess. So, the meaning of the word itself is multifaceted. By applying only letters to your body, you will make others puzzle over their true meaning.

Where to get a Dragon tattoo

With dragons there is also a division into simple and criminal. The differences are not so much in the technique of execution, but in the choice of places for tattoos. In the zone, kites are applied to the chest or back. One standard plot is a dragon flying over a castle. Such a drawing means that the prisoner was stealing state property.

Dragon tattoo on shoulder, arm, sides and legs in the zone are not used. Not in use and dragon tattoo on thigh. Tattooing is practiced in men's colonies. Hips are associated with femininity.

Therefore, drawings in and around the pelvic area are the privilege of girls. Ladies, you can also get a tattoo on your ankle, lower abdomen, or collarbone. These areas are also the epitome of sophistication. The drawing will emphasize the grace and fragility of the girl.

Men are recommended to place paintings with dragons on their calves, forearms, and sides. The main thing is to leave enough space for the tattoo. If you choose the neck, you will probably have to use the upper torso as well. turn out to be dragon tattoo maybe On the hand.

The image of the animal looks more impressive on the embossed parts of the body. Their volume seems to be transferred to the picture. It ceases to be flat, which adds realism to the tattoo.

True, the pain during the plotting can also be realistic. Given its size, it is easier to apply to the arms, legs, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, male torso and back.

The main thing is not to touch the spine and shoulder blades. The proximity of the bones to the skin makes the procedure especially painful. The degree of sensation is also high when dragons are impaled in the areas of the collarbones, knees, elbows, neck, and female breasts. Drawing over the collarbones is also not pleasant.

If "Dragon" is chosen as the first, it is better to make it the second. Start with a small image on one of the painful areas. This will help you understand how tolerant your body is to pain. Perhaps a fire-breathing snake isn't your thing.

A very popular symbol for tattoos. Tattoos with this image are common in both the West and the East.

It is quite possible that dinosaurs served as the prototype for this mythical creature. Huge reptiles that lived in ancient times.
And human imagination simply added a little magic to their image. This is how we got huge flying, fire-breathing, winged snakes.

Who is it suitable for? Depending on the design, it is equally suitable for men and women.
Suitable for a person in character which is simultaneously dominated by: belligerence, authority, and the desire for noble motives.
The symbol is suitable for people who have leadership qualities.

Places and style of tattoo. The vast majority of sketches are made in oriental style. And this is not surprising, since the very mythological image of flying snakes, “capable” of spewing flames, comes from Japan and China.
Popular styles for a tattoo like this: oriental, new school, traditional, tribal.
Western and Eastern dragons differ in execution style. The first has a thick body covered with scales and small, relative to the size of the dragon itself, wings.
The eastern dragon's shape is more like an elongated flying one snake.

Symbol meaning

As often happens with ancient symbolism, images can have opposite meanings. The meaning of a tattoo can vary depending on the place of application and the subject of the work.

The first mentions of such symbols are found in the cultures of China and Japan. For example, in China, a tattoo with this symbol was applied to the back, along the spine, of all members of the emperor’s family.

Symbolism has been firmly established in Chinese culture for so long that it has become an integral part of it. The image of a dragon can be seen in the design of buildings, paintings, music, and poetry.
The dragon is an obligatory part of the Chinese New Year. Some claim that these are people in paper dragon costumes. But anything can happen..
One of the Chinese emperors claimed to be a direct descendant of a dragon. Apparently he forgot that he was talking about a mythological creature.

In general, in culture there were four types dragons, by element: water, earth, air and fire. Probably, in this way, the ancient ancestors of the Chinese perceived and explained to themselves the forces and phenomena of nature. Among the ancient Slavs, by the way, this role was played.

There are a number of legends in which a dragon guards a treasure. A number of other myths tell of carp and Koi fish, which, having overcome many difficulties, at the end of the journey become dragons.
Chinese horoscope promises to a person born under this sign leader's fate.

IN culture and symbolism East indicates nobility, courage and connection with heavenly powers.
Images of dragons in symbolism are often associated with the four cardinal directions: west, south, east, north.

Take note, for those who are interested "Feng Shui":
It is believed that if you keep coins with the image of a dragon next to coins on which the Phoenix is ​​carved, this will lead the owner of all this wealth to “ reaching heavenly heights»
In this case, the dragon symbolizes the “Yin” symbol, the Phoenix is ​​“responsible” for the “Yang”.

In Buddhism, our today's hero - defender. Mention of dragons in the history of Buddhism appears only in the 9th century. The image can be seen in the design of various temples. It is believed that the dragon can protect the soul from evil forces.

In ancient Greece and Rome images of a dragon decorate the armor of warriors. Here they believe that the symbol gives courage and fearlessness in battle.

Western civilization in his folk epic reflects the dragon as the embodiment evil power and difficulties. The symbol is used as block which must be overcome, to get what you want. Perhaps this perception of the symbol was influenced by religion. After all, at the very beginning of the Bible it tells about the insidious tempting serpent and his unprincipled act.
Here you can recall numerous fairy tales about knights freeing the ladies of their hearts from captivity where they are guarded by a dragon. And the latter, of course, must be defeated.
The myth of the “Victorious” depicted on the coat of arms of Moscow can also be included here.

Numerous prototypes of the dragon can be found in cultures almost all nations. These include the Slavic Serpent Gorynych.
In the majority In myths, the dragon is characterized by such features as wisdom, strength, magic. IN more rare cases deceit, aggression, evil.

The meaning of tattoos for guys and girls, depending on color:

• Black dragon- respect for the family. And in general, a respectful attitude towards elders;
• Blue dragon- peace and longevity;
• Golden Dragon- wisdom, wealth;
• Yellow dragon- a symbol of war and conquest. If depicted in oriental style symbolizes wisdom and thirst for knowledge;
• Red dragon- passion, love and life full of feelings;
• Also, the red dragon is the national symbol of Wales;
• Green color- love and respect for nature;
• White Dragon- a symbol of movement towards higher goals and ideals.

The meaning of the symbol for boys and girls, depending on the plot:

• Nobility and richness of spirit symbolizes dragon flying up;
• Dragon without wings- symbolizes the rainbow in Buddhism;
• Dragon fish "Koi"- willingness to accept difficulties along the path of life in order to achieve a higher goal;
• Wings spread And grin mouth, blood on the claws - aggression, hostility. Such a symbol indicates the “severe” disposition of the owner;
• Closed mouth and lowered wings - a wise and calm attitude to what is happening;
• The lying dragon is the “balance” of the mind. Understanding the duality of existence;
• Hidden aggression, means a dragon flying down;
• If there are tattoos in the plot the dragon is next to the tiger- this affects the meaning of the symbol. In case they are on the same level- this symbolizes the inner balance of a person. It speaks of the coincidence of the desired with the actual. Well, or the desire for such balance.
  If dragon defeats tiger, such a tattoo means the victory of the “light” side in a person’s soul. A tattoo means control of one’s passions and desires by the owner.
  In the opposite case, when tiger defeats dragon- the meaning of the tattoo changes to the exact opposite. Such a person puts selfish motives first in his own life.
• Dragon in the clouds, aka sky Dragon- a symbol of self-confident individuals. Such a dragon seems to look at all the problems, day after day, that trouble a person from top to bottom. This symbol is popular among people who lack confidence and hope to gain it with a tattoo;
• Dragon with horns- courage and lack of fear;
• Dragon head- the ability to quickly make the optimally correct decision from all possible options.

The meaning of a dragon tattoo for guys and girls, depending on location on the body:

• Dragon tattoo on shoulder for men ()- As a rule, they show an aggressive character. For women, it depends on the subject of the tattoo;
• Dragon tattoo on back- human leadership qualities;
• Dragon tattoo on hand- the hand, forearm and wrist do not change the meaning of the tattoo;

Stars with dragon tattoo:

The singer's leg Pink decorates the hero of our article. Angelina Jolie- the owner of two dragon tattoos at once.
Rooney Mara(this is the name of the actress who played the main role in the film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) got a fairly large snake tattoo on her back.

The symbol itself comes from China. But it is found in the cultures of almost all nations.
General meaning: power, wisdom, calm.
The meaning of a tattoo is influenced by , , .
The tattoo is universal - suitable for both men and women. The symbol is suitable for a person with a powerful character who seeks to acquire or maintain wealth.

Video

Watching the video will take 12 minutes and 11 seconds. The process of applying a tattoo to the arm, from shoulder to elbow. Tattoo with the image of a "serpentine" scaly dragon in the Japanese style: