The History and Symbolism of Dragon Tattoos

Dragon tattoos are one of the most popular choices for those considering body art. Dragons are part of myths in most cultures and are typically a symbol of power and danger. Dragons are a good choice for a tattoo because they are sinuous and fluid. They do not have sharp edges or corners and, therefore, can be drawn to contour to any part of the body.

Tattoos are not the only way that people have captured the image of the dragon. Vikings carved dragons onto the prow of their ships. They believed that dragons could grant them cunning and supernatural sight. Chinese emperors believed that dragons existed and that they were the sons of gods. The chair of the emperor was referred to as the dragon seat and his robes were called dragon robes.

Dragon tattoos are popular mainly because dragons have always been an object of curiosity and fascination. Another reason for the popularity of dragon tattoos lies in the success of movies and books like the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Eragon' and games such as 'Dungeons and Dragons.'

They can also symbolize many different ideas and emotions from luck and freedom to rage and destruction. Just as there are many types of dragons, there are also many types of dragon tattoos. These include, but are not limited to, medieval dragons, Celtic dragons, Asian-inspired dragons, and tribal dragons.

Just like dragons themselves, dragon tattoos can symbolize many different things. A dragon tattoo on a man usually symbolizes power or protection. Historically, men are considered the guardians of society and the family and dragons are often used to symbolize guardianship and wisdom. Dragon tattoos on women often signify women as the beginning of life. These tattoos also represent grace and reserved strength.

The popularity of these designs may seem recent but they have always been a popular subject for artists. When considering a depiction, there are many types of dragons to choose from. It is important to take the time to research the history and meaning of different types of dragons in order to make an informed choice.

Mesopotamian dragons symbolize knowledge and were depicted as guardians of great treasure. Sumerian dragons were cunning and devious. It was believed that Babylonian's dragons helped create the world. The Chinese believe that their dragons are the true dragons and they are depicted with five claws. They have a rich history in Chinese culture and are a symbol of imperial strength and power. Japanese dragons have four claws instead of five. One of the most famous of the Japanese dragons is depicted as a caring husband and father.

In England, dragons were seen as destructive and dangerous and were often slain by heroes and knights in legends. Russian dragons are depicted with three heads and seven tails. African dragons are the rainbow-colored companion of the god, Nana-Buluku. This dragon is often depicted forming a circle around the earth with its tail in its mouth.

The internet is the perfect resource for finding a design for dragon tattoos. It is no longer necessary to visit a tattoo shop in order to choose your design. For the most part, there are three types of websites that offer images for tattoos. There are sites that offer free designs to look through, there are sites with subscription fees, and there are sites that charge for downloading a single design. It may be tempting to limit the search to the free sites but the quality of the designs and images can be substandard. Subscription sites often accept donated designs and may not be the best choice for high quality images. The third type of site, the type where you pay for each design, are typically the best way to find high quality images online. These sites will usually show the designs as a thumbnail image that can be browsed through for free. When the perfect design is found, a high quality image can be downloaded or printed for a fee.

Dragon tattoos are likely to remain one of the most popular designs in body art. The many types of dragons and the unique meaning of each make them appealing for many people for numerous reasons. They can be personalized and customized based upon color and style and can be made to contour to any part of the body.