Posts Tagged ‘chinese dragon tattoos’

Dragon Tattoos

Dragon tattoos are some of the most popular tattoos across the world. There are a number of reasons why someone may choose to tattoo a dragon on themselves. For instance, in Chinese culture, the dragon is a revered symbol that has signified many things for thousands of years. Dragons are viewed very differently in Chinese culture, compared to the way dragons have been depicted by the rest of the world. Depending on the culture, the dragon has been portrayed in many different ways, from a monster that can not be tamed, to a symbol of power and authority. Have you been considering tattooing a dragon on yourself? If you have been, you may want to look into the different things dragons have symbolized in different cultures throughout history:

Chinese Dragon Tattoos

Dragons also play a large role in Chinese culture. There are many different symbols that refer to different kinds of dragons that are commonly alluded to in Chinese writing and storytelling. Sometimes these symbols are also accompanied by an actual tattoo of a dragon. Dragons in Chinese folklore are very different from the dragons that were often part of European folklore. While European folklore portrayed dragons to be nasty, vile and evil creatures, the Chinese version of the dragon was said to control water in the form of rain and floods. It has been said that the Chinese government has considered removing the dragon as their national symbol because of the warlike connotations that were associated with the creature by the European countries, particularly during the medieval era. You can read more about Chinese dragon tattoos here.

Western Dragon Tattoos

In western culture, dragons have been depicted very differently than they have in Chinese culture. In many European nations the dragon was seen as a blood thirsty, and almost evil creature that only looked out for itself. You may have seen several movies where a dragon would be shown attacking castles, using its fire breathing abilities to harass entire towns. Because of this depiction, the Chinese government has considered changing the national symbol from a dragon to a create that is depicted in a more diplomatic sense across the world.

Take a look at our dragon tattoos gallery:

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Chinese Tattoos

There are many different types of Chinese tattoos. The vast majority of Chinese symbols are made up of one or more of the symbols that are commonly used for words in Chinese literature. The number of Chinese symbols currently in use is said to be somewhere around 47,000. With so many different options available, the choice really becomes what you would like the tattoo to say or mean. There really is an endless assortment of different symbols that can be used to convey a different message. If you are interested in Chinese tattoos, but would like to learn more about the common themes that Chinese tattoos revolve around, you may want to consider the following themes:

Family

Family carries huge importance in Chinese culture. Compared to western culture, Chinese culture is considered to be fairly strict, and much more traditional. This also means that they place added importance on the family unit. A common tattoo for Chinese men to have is a collection of symbols that represent each of the members of their immediate family. While in most of the world this would more than likely refer to the family unit, as in the father, mother, and children, in Chinese culture these tattoos also commonly include grandparents and any other family members such as aunts and uncles who may be close to the family. These symbols may be the spelling of their actual name using the Chinese alphabet, or the individual may choose symbols that he feels represents the spirit of each member of the family.

Dragons

You can read about these type of tattoos here and here.

Phrases

Another popular form of Chinese tattoo is a popular phrase. There are many different phrases that are commonly tattooed on individuals across the world. However, the most common phrases that are used in conjunction with Chinese tattoos are “achievement”, “amazing”, “enchanting”, “serenity”, and “forever”. This are phrases and symbols that are commonly found being used in Chinese folklore, and have also found their place in modern Chinese society.

There are nearly an unlimited number of options for individuals who are looking to for Chinese tattoo designs. With so many symbols available, finding a way to place them together to create your own Chinese tattoo should not be that difficult of a task. It is recommended that you consult someone who knows the language before tattooing any foreign symbols on you.

Take a look at our Chinese tattoos gallery:

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