Asian Dragon Tattoos
From LoveToKnow Tattoos
Asian dragon tattoos carry a very different connotation than their western cousins. Find out what makes them so different.
Meaning of Asian Dragons
In Western culture, dragons have been demonized as creatures that only seek to destroy humans. Countless stories tell tales of dragons that ravaged the countryside looking for hapless villagers to dine upon. Usually a hero steps forward to slay the beast, and the story has a happy ending- at least as far as the villagers are concerned. For the dragon, not so much.
In Eastern culture, the dragon enjoys a completely different persona. Asian dragons are viewed as awesome creatures filled with power and wisdom. They are the go-betweens of heaven and earth, and help keep the mortal world in balance. In fact, Asian dragons are considered down right lucky, so it's good to have symbols of them in your home and on your person.
The Asian dragon is so respected that it is used as the symbol of the Emperor of China himself. His face is said to symbolize the Emperor's own, and his powerful build represents the Emperor's authority over the people. In the old days, it was actually forbidden for anyone but the Emperor to have a dragon tat, so close was their union. Thankfully, times have changed.
Dragon Tats of a Different Sort
Although Asian dragons are meant to be positive symbols, they are heavily used in gang culture as well. These dragon tats are meant to symbolize raw power. They can also convey the message that the person wearing one is skilled in the martial arts, and not a person to tangle with. One well known Asian gang, the Black Dragons, uses the symbol to identify their members.
Ideas for Asian Dragon Tattoos
Dragon Faces
Asian dragon faces are all the more fascinating because they are not the features of a single creature, but a composite of several.
- Head: Usually shaped similar to a camel
- Eyes: Demon-like and piercing
- Ears: Similar to a cow
- Mouth: Tiger-like with fangs
- Horns: Elk or deer-like
- Whiskers: Draping like those of a catfish
With features like these, Asian dragon tattoos of faces can be very fanciful. There's almost no end to the combinations you can put together.
Full Length Dragons
Asian dragon bodies differ from Western legends in more than just their faces. The figures of these creatures are very snake-like and stream lined. They do not have the massive wings of dragons depicted by Anglos; wings are small, if they are even present at all. The Asian dragon doesn't need these appendages to fly, but uses its magic instead.
Full length dragons can be placed just about anywhere on your body, but down the length of the arms, and across the chest or back are very popular placements.
Dragon Scrolls
Scroll tattoos are gaining popularity with Westerners. If you can find a specialist in Asian tattoos who you can depend on to create an accurate scroll, you can embellish the design with a dragon descending down the side of the design.
The Pearl of Wisdom
Asian lore often pictures the dragon guarding the "Pearl of Wisdom". The creature uses it to control the elements to help humans prosper.
Design ideas might include the dragon holding the pearl gently between its teeth, or the long body coiled around the pearl.
The pearl is also considered symbolic of a closed lotus blossom.
See Asian Dragon Tattoos
There's nothing like seeing someone else's dragon tat to inspire your own designs. You'll find plenty of examples of cool dragon tats at TattooJoy.com.
Learn More
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