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TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - DRAGON
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Dragons
 Dragon Tattoos
- The dragon is a ‘classic’ tattoo motif, popular with men and
women, and shows the profound influence of Japanese and Chinese
culture in Western tattooing. By the looks of them, dragons were
around long before man set his footprint in the sands of time. These
giant, winged, fire-breathing lizards are reminiscent of the
prehistoric creatures - dinosaurs, no less - that roamed the earth
millions of years ago, but the fact is, the dragon grew out of the
human imagination. Possibly played in no small part by the discovery
in China and other places Asia and elsewhere of the fossil remains
of dinosaurs and other extinct reptiles of gargantuan proportions.
The dragon came to represent both the beneficent and malevolent
elements, depending on which part of the world it breathed its fiery
breath.
In China, these mythological creatures were the symbol of both the
supernatural and of imperial power, residing in the heavenly realms.
They were often spotted looming around thunder clouds, and became
the deities of rain, producing downpours when it suited them. As
shape-shifting creatures, they became so embedded in the myths and
legends of Chinese culture, that the dragon is said to be the
ancestor of the Chinese people. In Japan, a similar claim was made
when a certain emperor declared that he was a direct descendant,
himself, of the powerful and immortal dragon. It’s not surprising
that the image of the dragon appeared on the robes of the emperor,
signifying the protective powers of the dragon as well as the
temporal power of the emperor.
Dragons were said to represent the Four Elements, hence the stories
and myths of dragons who had dominion over Air, Water, Earth and
Fire. Each of these elemental dragons had unique characteristics
that had to be taken into consideration. In addition to the
elemental dragons there were also special or unique dragons of myth,
legend or lore. Dragons who guarded special treasures or dragons who
were charged with special tasks, quests and responsibilities. In
Japanese legends and myths, dragons often controlled or had in their
possession Pearls of Wisdom and other jewels or items with magical
properties that conveyed great power to those who possessed it. Both
Japanese and Chinese lore are also filled with stories of creatures,
who, through their special quests, at the end of their journeys,
were transformed into dragons. In Japan, these were often the
stories of Carp and Koi who through their perseverance, journeys and
struggles, in the end were transformed into dragons.
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Before the advent of Buddhism, the dragon starred in Chinese and
Japanese folk beliefs, and in Taoism. In the ninth century, the
Chinese incorporated the dragon into Buddhist concepts and art,
where it took on the role of protecting Buddha and the sacred law of
Buddhism. It could be found over temple doors and on tomb walls,
warding off evil spirits. The most recognizable dragon image is the
one that appeared in ninth century Tang ink drawings. They sported
the long, scaly body, the claw feet, small horns, large eyes under
bushy eyebrows, and sharp teeth. In a gentler, wingless aspect, it
was associated with the rainbow.
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In the West, the dragon’s serpentine looks connoted evil. Blame its
serpent relative making trouble for itself and all mankind in the
Garden of Eden. Later, some famous Christian saints did battle with
the fire-breathing dragon, Michael and Saint George, to name two. In
images depicting the famous battle with Saint George, the dragon is
portrayed as a sea dragon, and the patron saint of England is the
clear winner.
In battles all over the Roman and Greek empires, warriors boasted
the emblem of the dragon as a symbol of terror. It was seen on
Viking ships, and in Celtic cultures it was the emblem of sovereign
power. Anglo-Saxons had it emblazoned on their standards. Today, the
red dragon is the national emblem of Wales, and believed to be a
relic of Roman times in ancient Britain.
Wherever the dragon appeared, its strength and power was supreme,
whether it was used as protection, or a force to be overcome.
Defeating the fire-breathing dragon was the supreme test of human
courage and fortitude. Legends abound of heroes of ancient Greece
battling with the guardians of lakes, gates and marshland. The
dragon that the Greek hero, Jason, slew in his pursuit of the stolen
Golden Fleece is the same monster appearing in stone on the castle
tower in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Today we see the dragon in all its fantastic, heavenly and monstrous
aspects. In Chinese astrology, it is said that if you are born under
the sign of the dragon, you will be a leader, albeit a bossy one,
and in Feng Shui, when you place coins of the ‘Yang’ Dragon tied
together with coins of the ‘Yin’ Phoenix chances of marital bliss
will reach heavenly heights.
The word ‘dragon’ is derived from the French and Latin form of the
Greek ‘drakwu’, linked with ‘derkomai’, meaning ‘to see’ and
interpreted as ‘sharp-sighted’. The equivalent English word ‘drake’
or fire-drake’ is derived from Anglo-Saxon ‘draca’. (Encyclopedia
Britannica, 1959.)
The dragon tattoo design symbolizes nobility, magic, the power of
transformation and imagination, perseverance, loyalty, power and the
ability to transcend the ordinary. For those who conquer dragons,
the dragon represents courage, bravery, duty, honour and the great
quest. And who amongst us has not sought out a great quest that will
reveal the very best of ourselves? Such is the extraordinary power
of the dragon.
See also Fire Dragons
and Water
Dragons.
Tattoo Johnny Tattoo Designs
- Check out more than 470 different
dragon tattoo designs by some of the
world's top tattoo artists and illustrators.
Get Dragon designs on t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, bags & more.
Tattoo designs - D >>
Dragons
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