What Does A Dragon Tattoo Mean? - Tatt Mag

In This Article:

• What Does A Dragon Tattoo Symbolize?
• Dragon Tattoo Meanings Across Various Cultures

What Does A Dragon Tattoo Symbolize?

The symbolism of a dragon tattoo can vary widely depending on cultural perspectives and individual interpretations.

Here are some common meanings associated with dragon tattoos:

• Power and Strength: Dragons are often seen as powerful and formidable creatures, so a dragon tattoo may represent strength, courage, and resilience.
• Wisdom and Intelligence: In many cultures, dragons are considered wise and knowledgeable beings. A dragon tattoo might symbolize intelligence, insight, and understanding.
• Protection: Dragons are frequently depicted as guardians or protectors. Therefore, a dragon tattoo can symbolize protection, either for the wearer or for their loved ones.
• Freedom and Independence: The image of a flying dragon can represent freedom, independence, and the spirit of adventure.
• Good Luck and Prosperity: In some Asian cultures, dragons are considered auspicious creatures that bring good luck and prosperity.
• Transformation and Renewal: Since dragons are mythical creatures, they can represent transformation, change, and the start of a new chapter in life.
• Cultural or Personal Significance: For some, a dragon tattoo may hold specific cultural significance or be a tribute to their heritage. For others, it could be a deeply personal symbol with a unique, personal meaning.

It’s important to note that the interpretation of a dragon tattoo can vary greatly depending on the design, style, and cultural context.

For someone considering a dragon tattoo, it might be meaningful to explore these different aspects to find a representation that resonates with their personal story or values.

Dragon Tattoo Meanings Across Various Cultures

Though dragon mythology originated in the East, many cultures all over the world have taken on the concept of the dragon and come up with their own meaning for the representation of the creature.

Let’s take a look at what dragons mean to different cultures, including ancient cultures, around the world:

Japanese Dragon Tattoo Meanings

Dragons have been a popular subject throughout Japanese tattoo history since 1757, with the development of woodblock printing and the translation of the Chinese novel Suikoden, which showed heroes with tattoos of dragons, tigers, and other such images.

Japanese dragon tattoos can be colorful, exciting designs, emphasizing the dragon’s sharp teeth and fiery scales.

The colors used in these tattoos can be blue, yellow, pink, and red.

When the dragon tattoo is done in black ink, the dragon’s body is often contoured as if it is in motion.

Each Japanese dragon tattoo design makes the dragon look like a powerful, strong, and menacing creature.

As far as the meaning of Japanese dragon tattoos, the dragon to the Japanese is a mythological creature that symbolizes strength, and wealth, and is seen as a guardian over people.

These are just a few of the meanings of a Japanese dragon tattoo.

For example, it can also symbolize wisdom, being noble, and power.

Among these many meanings, there’s a commonality of the great positivity that a dragon tattoo has for the Japanese and for their culture, unlike western cultures, which can view dragons as an evil menace that must be killed.

For the Yazuka, the dragon is a common Japanese tattoo symbol.

The Yazuka believe that dragons symbolize the duality of heaven and Earth and that there is never a winner or loser in life because we all end up in the afterlife.

It is also important to note that dragons in Yakuza tattoos are placed on the upper part of the body because they believe dragons are rulers of the sky.

Japanese dragon tattoos have different meanings or personalities depending on the color of the design.

We’ll talk a little more about specific colors later, but for now, here are a few key colors to be aware of.

Red dragon tattoos are powerful while green dragons are associated with nature.

Black dragon tattoos are wise and experienced, while blue dragons are benevolent and forgiving.

Gold dragon tattoos represent value and virtue, not to be confused with yellow dragon tattoos, which represent a noble nature.

• Neo-Japanese Dragon Tattoos

If you like the style of tebori tattoos but want something a little more modern, a Neo-Japanese dragon tattoo is the way to go.

Neo-Japanese tattoos take their inspiration from traditional images and work contemporary elements into the design.

This often means re-imagining historic depictions of Japanese dragons from paintings and woodblock prints in a 3D perspective.

Sleeves are a very popular form of Neo-Japanese dragon tattoo due to the mythological creature’s intricate, twisting shape.

• Tebori Dragon Tattoos

For a Japanese dragon tattoo that’s really authentic, you might want to consider the tebori technique.

This traditional method of tattooing dates all the way back to the start of the Edo period in the 17th-century and involves using a slim bamboo or metal tool called a nomi with a set of needles fastened to its tip to apply the tattoo by hand.

A lot of people think that tebori tattoos will be more uncomfortable than a modern tattoo machine, but this is a common misconception.

Tebori tattoo technique is less invasive than a modern one, resulting in a faster aging process.

Have a search for your nearest Irezumi artist to learn more about the process and Japanese tattoo history.

Aztec Dragon Tattoo Meaning

An Aztec dragon tattoo typically is a dragon shown as if made of Aztec stones like a sculpture.

It also has a feather headdress just like tattoos of Aztec Gods, or, a long stone tail spreading into oblivion at its tip.

These tattoos are interesting-looking and look both fierce and artistic.

The meaning of this style of tattoo is hard to define.

Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent God, was a sort of dragon.

Therefore, many Aztec tattoos that look like dragons may be in fact representing Quetzalcoatl.

Because of this, it most likely means attaining knowledge and being wise, as well as a love of life and great luck throughout life’s challenges.

Yin Yang Dragon Tattoo Meaning

One of the main concepts of the dragon tattoo is the yin and yang meaning.

This tattoo usually shows a dragon circling or wrapped around a yin and yang symbol.

The dragon is typically in color to emphasize the white and black yin and yang symbol.

The yin yang tattoo represents the flow of energy and equalizing qualities of the universe.

There are both yin dragons and yang dragons, which can each be shown stylistically in the tattoo.

For example, yang dragons are shown as wingless and masculine.

They represent acting on your motives in a positive way with courage.

On the other hand, a yin dragon is a feminine symbol and represents darker energy full of introspection.

Whichever dragon you pick to be along the yin and yang tattoo will say something about your personality.

Chinese Dragon Tattoo Meaning

For the Chinese, the dragon is arguably the most important symbol of their culture.

Chinese dragon tattoos can be in color, made with black ink, or made with black ink, and a little bit of color used as an accent such as adding red flames in the background.

When color is used, the dragon is generally green or red.

When the color is used as an accent, it is typically red, purple, or blue.

Also, a dragon aimed toward the sky is the way it should be: dragons aimed downward in a tattoo are bad omens.

The Chinese dragon tattoo has many meanings including good luck, protection, wisdom, peace, strength, and power.

Getting Chinese dragon tattoos can help you enhance any of these skills or properties in your life.

Perhaps the most important part of Chinese tattoos is their meaning of good luck, which is celebrated throughout Chinese history as well as in their culture today.

The Chinese also include two of our most popular meanings for the dragon: power and strength.

These two meanings do not seem that different at first glance, but they differ greatly.

To the Chinese, a powerful dragon tattoo is one that shows that you have great control over others (in a positive way) because of your ability to be a great leader.

Strength in a dragon tattoo refers to the greatness of being centered enough in life to succeed in an upward trajectory and never lose focus on your goals.

Korean Dragon Tattoo Meaning

Korean dragon tattoos differ in their appearance greatly.

There are Korean dragon tattoos with a dragon flying upwards with Korean symbols on its body, or even ones with large colorful dragon faces with sharp fangs.

These tattoos can use back ink or be in bright colors.

The dragon’s face may even be part of a large mask with its eyes and fangs popping out of it.

They play a large role in Korean ancient stories and are a huge part of their culture.

One figure in these stories, called the Dragon King, welcomed strangers and all who came to him and was generous in that way to a fault.

Therefore, a Korean dragon tattoo means that you are welcoming and kind to others.

Another meaning of a Korean dragon tattoo is luck, providing the wearer with a good omen.

Korean dragons are also associated with power, meaning if you have this tattoo you are or will be a powerful person.

Viking Dragon Tattoo Meaning

The Nidhogg was the name of the historic Norse dragon, and it was viewed by Vikings as either a serpent or a dragon that stood for losing one’s honor or being a ‘bad guy’.

This is probably because the Norse believed this monster chewed up the bodies of those who have done harm to others, such as adultery or murder.

Nidhogg tattoos typically appear tribal, with many curving stripes wrapping around the monster often with Norse lettering.

The tattoos almost appear to be wood carvings in style.

They use black ink along with grey ink and white for shading to create the Nidhogg as either a singular image or as part of a large piece full of Norse tattoo imagery.

The meaning of having a Nidhogg tat