The attitude towards tattoos has always been different. Someone considers them a way of self-expression or even art, while others categorically do not accept. Nevertheless, if you have decided to make yourself a tattoo, then special attention should be paid to the choice of image. Today we will consider the features and meaning of one of the most popular drawings - the dragon.
What is the meaning of the tattoo Dragon
Each world culture gives its own definitions to tattoos in the form of a dragon and mainly their meaning lies in the character traits that prescribe these unearthly creatures, and it is not only intelligence, wisdom and fearlessness, but also cunning, flashiness, the desire for solitude and much more. In Europe, dragons are ascribed a kind of negative image and depicted mainly with wings. In the East, these creatures have a serpentine body and four paws. They are also characterized by more positive qualities than his western counterpart.
Each experienced master when choosing a tattoo in the form of a dragon will help you create exactly the sketch that will reflect your inner self, not the least of which may play a role in the colors and the way exactly where your chosen creature. So, blue can mean compassion, calmness and openness, while green symbolizes life. Red represents purpose, power and passion. Black is associated with wisdom and respect. Yellow represents kindness and wisdom.
A picture of a sleeping dragon successfully represents equilibrium. An image with coins symbolizes wealth and prosperity. The dragon flying upwards signifies friendly intentions, while the crawling or standing dragon signifies a connection between the elements of heaven and earth. The fangs on display symbolize aggression, the wings speak of fortitude and confidence. And that's not all the meanings and interpretations of the images you may encounter. Discuss in advance with the master the wishes and preferences, and he will easily help you decide on the choice of the sketch.
Compositions with other elements
The dragon can be applied to the body, as a single character, settled on the skin or soaring in the clouds spreading his wings, in the European version. But in some compositions, it is combined with other equally famous objects or living elements of fauna, creating a purposeful story filled with meaning.
Often the dragon is combined with the Celtic cross made in the style of Celtic, this European symbol, decorated with different patterns and intertwining. In Chinese culture it is combined with a pearl, giving the tattoo a special meaning. And also in the East it is customary to depict the dragon along with the tiger, as the two opposing sides.
In some compositions, regardless of whether they are female or male, the dragon is decorated with an addition in the form of flowers.
Dragon tattoos for men
Images such as the dragon, for example, are very popular among the variety of tattoos for men. The symbolism of invincible power, strength and wisdom is very close to men's nature and not only emphasizes these masculine qualities, but also adjusts the master himself never to lose the human form within himself. Men's dragon tattoos usually occupy large surfaces of the body and can be performed in a colorful Japanese style, as well as in Celtic themes, or in black and white.
Meaning
A huge role for deciphering and understanding the meaning during the application of the tattoo is the location of the dragon in relation to other objects or creatures:
- If the dragon's wings are spread and he is preparing to fly, or his mouth is wide open - he is endowed with great power over other creatures.
- When depicted with large claws, dragon symbolizes aggression and hostility.
- Dragon with downward wings and covered mouth bears goodness and wisdom.
- Sleeping and resting serpent is a sign of peace of mind and tranquility.
- Flying kite symbolizes positivity, openness and willingness to dialogue.
- If the snake is rapidly moving downhill it means extreme aggression and a warning of an attack.
Dragon and tiger
In some drawings, located on a large part of the body, the serpent is depicted together with the tiger. If the tiger and the serpent are on the same line in height, it can mean harmony in the relationship.
Sketch of a tattoo on the back
If the dragon is located above the tiger or defeats him - the tattoo shows the defeat of the dark forces, if the tiger suppresses the serpent, it shows aggressiveness and self-interest.
Heavenly dragon
Tattoo of a flying dragon on the background of the sky and clouds can indicate determination and a steadfast core of life.
Such an image is usually applied to themselves confident people who seek to strengthen faith and spirit.
A dragon with horns
If the dragon is depicted with horns, it is a sign of determination and steadfastness in deeds and words. Such a person is characterized by courage and boldness.
Tattoo of the Japanese dragon looks extremely colorful and stands out brightly on the body. An excellent option for the execution of such a sketch can be a volumetric drawing. In this option, the tattooist will be able to outline the mythical creature as accurately as possible and with a lot of additional details and make it the most realistic.
Author: Olga Zhanskaya
Women's tattoos with the dragon
Beautiful ladies give preference to more refined and colorful images of the dragon, or small drawings, which mainly mean passion, loyalty or emphasize some traits of the character of its owner. In addition to the heroine of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", the popularity of images of mythical creatures added series "Game of Thrones", in which dragons one of the main characters, act as not only her helpers and weapons, but also represent all her omnipotence. Girls can choose a drawing of any size for themselves, and both black and white and color images are equally popular.
Choosing where to apply
Tattoos applied to different parts of the body have their own sacred meaning and a certain storyline. The dragon tattoo is usually large in size, so it is most often applied to large areas of the body.
The back .
The most appropriate is considered the placement of the Japanese dragon tattoo on the back. On the largest part of the body, you can make a large-scale composition with meaning.
Due to the fact that the back is not subject to age changes, the tattoo will remain in pristine unchanged form for many years.
Leg
Japanese dragon drawing on the legs is extremely rare. The limited nature of the surface can be a barrier to the transfer of semantic subtext and depth of the sketch.
On a small surface it is better to place a Chinese dragon, in the performance of which there is a predominance of fine lines. When applying it is allowed not to clog the contours of the entire drawing with pigments, they can be left in the form of light sketches.
Waistband
A sketch of a dragon drawn on a person's lumbar spine would look very interesting.
The dragon can be drawn wriggling along the whole body or around the arm. Also, the mystical animal will look very advantageous while flying.
Forearm and scapula
An excellent place to apply the Japanese dragon can be a part of the scapula or forearm, in this case the main thing will be to choose the correct sketch, suitable for the chosen site.
Tattoos for women and men can be similar in subject matter, but applied to different parts of the body.
Men's sketches
Men usually apply tattoos to the entire area of the hand, receiving in this case the so-called battered "sleeve", the unaffected area in this beating becomes only the hand.
Slightly less often for the application of the dragon on the body are used areas:
- chest;
- back;
- ankle.
The place of application is chosen based on the meaning that the bearer wants to show.
Women's sketches
The female half of mankind quite rarely uses a dragon to paint on her body, they are attracted to more passionate animals. The Japanese girls are considered an exception, and they allow the drawing of a snake in the kukushi-boro style to be inscribed on their body, which is a frank and passionate statement about themselves.
Japanese dragon tattoo most often stuffed women from the United States of America, there symbolic drawing enjoys great popularity among the ladies.
The female half of humanity more often enslaves the dragon on the thigh part of the body. Such a tattoo is not available to prying eyes, so it is considered a sign of trust between people. Much less often a Japanese dragon tattoo can be seen stuffed on the stomach, wrist, chest, foot, collarbone or neck.
Where to stuff the image of a dragon: ideas and tips of tattoo masters
The location of the tattoo in this style depends in general on the plot you have chosen and accordingly the size and the sketch. If you have opted for a large drawing, or it is not one dragon, and the whole picture with additional images, it should be understood that for such a plot will need a lot of space and should think, as far as will be appropriate such a composition on your body. The most suitable for this are the back, chest, thigh and arm with the transition to the scapula and neck. For small or very small sketches absolutely any part of the body is suitable, and you can stuff them depending on your preference.
Influence of the location of the animal tattoo on the essence
Depending on how the action of the predator is depicted in the nude painting, the meaning of the drawing fundamentally changes. If the creature is shown in combat readiness with its wings spread and mouth grinning, it signals aggressiveness, hostility and power. At the same time, a reptile with its wings folded in a calm pose signifies inner balance, friendliness and measuredness of the wearer's spirit.
If the dragon is depicted flying, then attention should be paid to its direction. If the flight moves upwards on the body, it serves as a sign of the positive mood of the bearer and his good intentions. However, in the case of a downward-facing flight, it will not be superfluous to think about ulterior motives, as this is a warning signal.
Realism style Dragon tattoo
Realism style involves performing fantasy style tattoo images that we are familiar with thanks to computer games and movies. These crisp drawings highlight every detail and individual touch, which makes them very popular and in demand in the tattoo world. You can depict individual parts of this magical image, such as the eyes or head, as well as the creature in its entirety.
Japanese dragon tattoo style
In Japanese culture, all the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire treat dragons very respectfully and consider them a symbol of good luck and longevity. In the East, these creatures are referred to as guardian spirits and endowed with sacred qualities. Performed tattoo in Japanese or Asian technique, using vibrant colors and a wide range of shades. Dragon depicted with three fingers on his paws and very long claws, and often his body has a wriggling shape or gathered in rings. There are also horns on his head and the most important attribute is the long and developing mustache.
Division of the dragon tattoo into styles and standard colors
Colors depend on the style chosen in which the dragon will be depicted. But in most cases, the palette is divided into two parts. Black and white options and images in color.
Of the specific colors, it is worth noting the use of the popular green in Asian tattoos and red in European ones to color the torso. But deviations from the standards based on an individual approach to the tattoo within the framework of style and personal preference for a certain color scheme are also possible. About the most popular styles in men and girls we will tell in more detail below.
Dragon in the style of Abstraction
The abstract mythical creature is very rare in the collection of popular Dragon tattoo designs. Most prefer its instant 100% recognizability, and the style is the opposite of the classic methods of artistic representation. It has to be discerned, seen through the screen of the artist's boundless imagination. He is a figment of the imagination, incompatible with reality, but is a complete work of art.
Dragon in the style of Watercolor.
In most variations of watercolor dragon tattoos, several of the constant trends in the way the creature is displayed are noted. First, it has wings (the European version) and it is almost always black in color.
The point is that the black color contrasts sharply with the colorful bright spots imitating watercolor painting on plain paper. As a result, the tattoo becomes recognizable from afar and acquires the features of a positive drawing.
Dragon in the style of Anime
Tattoo Dragon in the style of Anime - these are the characters of Japanese animated tapes. A simple one-to-one mapping of the character from the screen to the skin. It is allowed to change the position of the body for aesthetic appearance and to build a beautiful composition. Tattoos are usually colored, fully copying the color of the cartoon characters.
One of the most sought-after anime dragons is the host of Amber River from the feature film "Gone with the Ghosts".
Blackwork style dragon.
Black is the dominant color in the composition of the Blackwork style dragon tattoo. The style is often used for the "Coverup" procedure (applying another tattoo on top of an old one) because of the large area of skin coverage due to the flared wing, which can hide a small, underdone tattoo. In addition to the black image of the main character, the backdrop can be black, which serves the same function.
Another reason for the choice of style is the popularization of Blackwork by modern representatives of show business.
Dragon in the Graphic Art Style
Tattoo Dragon in graphics is popular among European representatives of this mythical species. They are embittered, intimidatingly bounce their jaws, showing a huge number of sharp fangs. Spiny, bony spines protrude from the animal's spine, and its webbed wings have deadly claws at the fold.
The style depicts it either as a whole creature, or just its grinning mouth. In black and white versions, as well as in their color counterparts, grins are preferred mainly by men. Girls are inclined to less aggressive forms.
For some reason it is commonly believed that graphics are monochrome pencil drawings. This is partly true, but not entirely true as the style can also be in color. Colored Dragon tattoos in this style also exist. The palette of colors has no definite boundaries, but the standard is to depict the dragon in brown and red.
The dragon in the style of Celtic
Celtic sees this fabulous creature in its own way. Its motif is patterns of interwoven stripes often mimicking the stripes of steel and the dragon is one of the elements of the stripes. He is literally woven into the composition of the ornament. His head is often crowned by the emergent end of the band from the general weave.
The head of the dragon was often similar in outline to the wolf's, but additional elements such as webbed wings or scales put everything in its place.
A dragon in linework style
The basis of the Linework style in the Dragon tattoo lies in a pronounced tendency to place emphasis on the contour lines. The main contours of the silhouette are applied more broadly compared to those that are assigned a secondary role. The standard design is done in black paint. Shadows are not a hindrance if the priorities are set correctly, and they do not take away attention, turning the drawing into a graphic.
Often, flowers share supremacy with the dragon in half. Executed in the same style they are perfect in combination with the mystical creature.
Dragon in the Neotraditional style.
A dragon that is formidable and terrifying to its enemies can look quite aristocratic thanks to the Neotraditional style. The style presents it in a variety of colors of a limitless palette of colors and often adorns the image with precious stones.
The tattoo is based on the bold outlines of black, the inner parts of which are painted with a unique gradient, smoothly flowing from one color to another.
Newschool style dragon.
They are more like dragons than adults, if we are talking about the figure as a whole, rather than its appearance. Newscool style is funny and reminiscent of cartoon harmless characters. More in demand by girls, due to the fact that the style uses a bright eye-catching range of all kinds of colors and shades.
Tattoo dragon in the style of Newscoil does not bear aggression, and causes a cute smile to others.
The dragon in the oldskool style.
The usual image of the dragon for tattoos in the oldskool style - the head close-up with an open red mouth filled with white fangs. Under his nose dangles wriggling thin long whiskers, and the head grows horns.
The tattoo has clear outlines, and the bright spots (highlights) are usually just left unpainted. The classic color of the mythical toothy head in Oldschool is green or black. The head is not combined with other elements.
Dragon in Oriental style.
This is the most popular Asian style for a dragon image on the body of Oriental lovers. Tattoos are famous for the massive area of coverage of a large area of skin. The dragon (mostly Japanese) is shaped like a wriggling animal, often its torso is gathered in rings and located on several parts of the wearer's body.
Tattoo Dragon in the Oriental style is often made in the form of "sleeve" (from shoulder to wrist) or presented in the form of three-dimensional compositions on the back, chest and thighs.
Its appearance in many cases is decorated with horns, small short legs with very long claws about the size of the length of the fingers. One of its most important attributes is its long, wriggling mustache in unison with its torso. In Oriental tattoos, he is often depicted in the clouds.
Dragon in the style of Organic
One of the most popular themes among men, belonging to the Dragon tattoo category, we should mention the image of a separate expressive part of it. Yes it is - the eye or the eye of the dragon.
Enlarged eyes, with bright pupils, on which there is a wet effect, looking at us outward from under the skin on the biceps or the inner part of the forearm. The tattoo does not carry aggression, but rather indicates the curiosity of this ancient invented animal.
Dragon in Realism Style
One of the most stunning tattoo styles of our century. Chemical dye pigments and the unique capabilities of tattoo equipment work wonders, creating truly masterpieces of body art on people's bodies.
Dragon tattoos are imbued with detailed detail to the image, which creates the effect of a real presence on the human body. One of the secrets is that the drawings on the skin are completely free of outlines, such as we have seen them in other styles.
Dragon in the Sketch style
Distinctive characteristics of the Dragon tattoo in Sketch are rough sprawling pencil strokes, such as if they were on the original sketch. On such sketches form the initial idea, for this considering the place of the future tattoo and the desire of the client, what should be the appearance of a mythical creature. With quick movements, the master sketches the image, which subsequently does not detail, but simply transferred to the skin.
All dragon tattoos in this style are single-color.
The dragon in the Tribal style.
A wildly popular tattoo in the 1990s. Tribal, itself as a style, was at its peak at the time, and the Dragon tattoo was so easy to see in many sunbathing men and girls on the beach. Men preferred to apply it to their chest, arm or leg. Girls did on the waist, back, ankle and bikini area. No one was confused by the fact that the design of this tattoo was the same for most.
The tattoos were usually done in black.
Graphic style in tattoos
Graphic designs are commonly thought of as gray pencil sketches, but this is far from the case, and graphics may well be depicted in color. Colored dragon tattoo images also exist and are no less popular than the classic black sketches. The color palette has no limitations in the choice of shades, dragon drawings in red or brown are considered standard. The graphic depicts the dragon as a whole drawing or only its grinning mouth or burning eyes. The animal may have spikes or webbed wings. Black and white and colored versions of the intimidating look preferred by men, and ladies choose softer forms of sketches.
The Dragon tattoo is very common and it can be rightly attributed to the universal symbols that are among the first to come to mind when it comes to the varieties of images on the body. But we should not forget about the many meanings and symbols of this, as it turned out, not an easy drawing, which conquered more than one fan to decorate their bodies with tattoos.
Dragon tattoo for girls: what pattern to choose
Girls with the same popularity stuffed dragon tattoo, as well as men. But the place on the body is different. The dragon tattoo on the whole hand girls apply very rarely.
In practice, ladies prefer to nab such tattoos on the outer surface of the thigh. Such a tattoo is demonstrated only to the closest people.
