Dragon Tattoos
Dragon Tattoos: Myth and Magic
Dragons have been a major part of both eastern and western
culture for centuries. The dragon represents the changeable
qualities of nature and life itself, which are neither good nor
bad but neutral.
In western culture, the dragon was often characterized as an
aggressive and terrible creature who wielded its fire breathing
abilities against man in order to destroy and harm. Eastern
dragons however are portrayed as mystical beings that represent
wisdom, protection, strength, good luck, fortune and power.
Unlike the western dragon, they are creatures with a gracefully
twining body more like that of the serpent or snake. Each of
the different colors of dragon, shapes, types and markings of
these dragons represent different traits. These dragons also
represent each of the elements earth, wind, fire and water as
well as the four directions of the compass. Dragons are many
things to many people across the world; choose yours
carefully.
Dragon Tattoo Symbolism
• The Koi Which Becomes the
Dragon: In both Japanese and Chinese cultures there is
a belief that the koi or carp, which represents the process of
overcoming immense struggle, will eventually become the dragon
when he gets beyond what is holding him back. For this reason,
some choose to first get a koi tattoo and when they have
conquered the great hurdle they are struggling to overcome,
they then have the koi changed into a dragon to represent the
change the event has made in their lives.
• Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer: The dragon as creator, sustainer and destroyer appears in many cultures. In these myths the dragon is believed to have created, cared for and then been charged with the destruction of the world. Many representations of each of these aspects exist in tattoo art, honoring these aspects of the dragon.
• Greedy Dragon: This depiction of the dragon represents human greed and is often shown as a dragon laying on or guarding a hoard of treasure which may include a beautiful woman.
• Sentinel and Protector: Dragons are seen as guardians of the dead and the underworld in some cultures and can be found depicted in these realms to represent the guardian aspect of the creature.
• Divine Mystic Spirit: Christianity vilified the dragon but in the east the dragon was the son of heaven and was able to control the elements both good and ill. Often this dragon is depicted in mystic realms with clouds or other elemental symbols to represent that influence.
• Strength and Power: Dragons have long been seen as emblems of strength and power and are often depicted in locations or poses that reflect this strength. A person who wears a dragon is often a person who would like to embody the creature’s strength and power or has already reached a point at which that strength has earned them the right to wear the dragon.
• Deathbringer: This dragon represents pain and suffering or stands as the symbolic representation of something which brings these elements into the wearer’s life and therefore is the dragon they wish to slay.
There are several more meanings and intricate details associated with the dragon and often it is the wearer who is most aware of what their dragon means to them. At one point there were special dragon tattoos associated with triads and yakuza and some of these tattoos remain a part of these gangs. It is wise to discuss and research the meaning of a tattoo before you have it inked lest you inadvertently send out the wrong message.