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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