Black Tribal Dragon Tattoos

Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos have been in existence for millennia, with many different cultures putting their own spin on this art form. Tattoos did not start out as just a way to show off your favorite images, or a way to differentiate yourself from other people. Tattoos often served a greater purpose - such as designation of membership in a particular tribe or ranking within that tribe.

Most of the tattoos commonly thought of today as "tribal" are tattoos that originated in the Polynesian islands. This is a broad grouping, however, and can include tattoos that are seen on tribe members from many different islands - from Hawaii to Tahiti. This entire area is known as Polynesia, and so many people may group the styles together. In actuality, the tribal styles from each island are quite different from one another. For instance, while the Maori tribe may have inked their faces in order to show their tribal origins (a process known as moko), other Polynesian islands did not follow the same practice. Others adorned arms, chests and legs with their intricate swirls.

All in Black

Today, as in the past, tribal tattoos are inked using only black (or occasionally, other very dark) inks. This is because the original tribal tattoos were done by hand, using needles and dyes that were often nothing more than water mixed with a little burnt carbon. There were very little choices in the types of inks that could be used with such primitive needles (made of such items as bone and plant thorns) so black was really the only choice.

Dragon Tattoos

While some parts of the world were still using black inks and very limited means to express themselves via skin art, other parts of the world had evolved much more intricate means to ink the body. In parts of Asia, tattoos using different colored dyes were being seen, as well as more detailed pictorial tattoos using black inks. One theme popular within these Asian tattoos was the dragon. Dragons have always played a large role in mythology, especially in the tales of both the Chinese and Japanese. These creatures can be seen as objects of terror, or of strength. In either meaning, the dragon was, and still is, a perfect choice for tattoos.

As tattoos began to become more often seen in Western culture, the Westernized version of the dragon also began to pop up in tattoos on the backs and arms of those who wanted to show their attitudes. Less magical and ethereal than either Chinese or Japanese dragons, Western dragons (taken from the beliefs of the Middle Ages) were far more likely to be ferocious and menacing. Relying on the power of their large, bat like wings and grasping claws, these dragons were meant to instill fear in those who viewed them.

Black Tribal Dragon Tattoos Today

One example of the melding of different types of historic tattoos into a popular type of tat today are black tribal dragon tattoos. The two images seem to be completely disparate - a tribal pattern from the Polynesian islands and dragons from the East, but with the no holds barred beliefs of today's body art enthusiasts, anything goes. Some people who choose to get black tribal dragon tattoos will choose a typical Asian-style dragon, one with more scales and smaller, less important wings. Others will pick a Western style dragon, with an impressive wingspan and even fire spouting from its mouth. The tribal pattern comes into play usually as an accent, such as thorns or spirals that form the background for the dragon, possibly even a way to tie the image into other tattoos already inked on the wearer's skin.

Tribal Dragon Ideas

Need some ideas on your quest for the perfect tribal dragon tat? Here are some sites to get you started:

• Tattoo Finder has some good color and black tribal dragons to look at or purchase
• Captain Bret's Tribal Tattoos also has some interesting tribal dragon designs