Dragon Tattoo Designs

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Meanings of Dragon Tattoos

The dragon tattoo design makes a unique and powerful personal statement for the individual who chooses it for self-expression in body art. The word dragon is derived from the Greek drakon and is connected to derkomai, indicating it is a seeing serpent with a gaze like lightning. The English term, drake or fire drake comes from the Anglo Saxon draca or the Latin draco, which is similar to the flying dragon. The many depictions of dragons is incredibly diverse and complex. Do you picture yourself with a dragon tattoo? If so, here are some things to consider when you choosing the right design for you.

Dragon Symbolism, Mythology & Folklore 

Dragons hold a special place in all of mythology and folklore. These enchanted creatures have inspired many different meanings and myths. No other creature in mythology has appeared in so many cultures around the world. While many of us conjure up a terrifying beast when envisioning a dragon, the Asian dragon is depicted as a graceful, flowing beast, as it glides effortlessly through the air. The Chinese dragon is rendered as a long and serpent-like creature without wings. They are seen as ancient and intelligent creatures. European dragons have a more ferocious and primitive appearance. They often look more lizard-like with long tails, wings, scaled skins, talons, and fiery red eyes. While they too are often seen as intelligent creatures, they sometimes were portrayed as mindless brutes.

Dragons as Creators, Sustainers, and Destroyers 

The Australian aboriginal "Rainbow Serpent" has appeared in art as far back as 6000 years. Credited with the creation of the earth from the void and the human creation, "Rainbow Serpent" continues to play a role in aboriginal culture and art. Aido-Hwedo, the African creator snake is supposed to have created the rivers and streams with his serpentine coils and the mountain peaks with his excrement. Numerous other dragons are present in creation myths and have inspired writers, artists, and travelers from Leonardo Da Vinci to Marco Polo. The dragon is credited with the creation, maintenance, and the destruction of the earth. War and pestilence are familiar territory for the dragon.

Dragons as Divine, Spiritual, and Mystical 

Revered by many, despised and feared by others, the dragon was said to exist some place between the demon and the Devil in the Christian faith. However, in the East, the dragon was a benevolent son of heaven and controlled the elements of air, water, and fire.

Dragons as Rulers of the Elements 

With power over fire, rain, and the earth, dragons have strong ties to each of the elements. In China, four main dragon-like beings or Lun-Wang dragons were believed to live in a crystal palace in one of the universal seas. Thought to bring rain, and even flooding upon the land by both the Chinese and the Norse, many myths represent the dragon near water and forested areas.

Dragons as Guardians and Protectors 

In Greek mythology, the dragon protects the spring of the god of war Ares. Shi Huangdi, he first emperor of China, took the dragon as an emblem of his power. Some believed dragons to be the ancestors of ancient emperors. Dragons are associated with the dead in Scandinavian myth, and in England, they were believed to guard over graves. In the West, dragons were viewed as fire-breathing sentinels who guarded treasure, and their fiery red eyes were said to reflect those treasures.

Dragons as Bringers of Death 

Dragons are frequently portrayed as bringers of death. The black dragon Nidhog, meaning corpse-tearer, had an impact on that view. Said to bring destruction through their fiery tempers, immense size, and magical abilities, dragons are said to be responsible for many tragedies at sea and on land.

Dragons Never Die 

These are just a few of the hundreds of mythological symbols of the dragon tattoo design. In short, dragons never die. They live on in our myths from one culture and generation to the next, leaving mystery in their wake. The choice for a dragon tattoo makes a particularly powerful personal statement, and the choices in design are rich with diversity. Whether depicted in black and white or boldly emblazoned with color, the dragon tattoo can serve as guardian or destroyer and will likely never lose appeal.

Tattoo Fever 

Are you tired of scanning through hundreds of tattoo websites with poor quality pictures and trying to find the perfect tattoo for yourself, only to find that you're still lost and undecided?

What's worse is being so excited about getting a tattoo that you flick through the parlor's binder of designs and get inked without putting more thought into it. Worse still, is disliking your tattoo and having to pay a fortune to have it laser removed!

What if now you could sit down, relax, and take your time over the designs that you really want, see what they really mean and say about you, save yourself hours of mouse-clicking disappointment, and gain access to over 10,000 stylish tattoos directly to your computer!

With The Art of Tattoo, you will gain first-hand "Insider" knowledge and expert advice from experienced tattoo artists and professionals. The Art of Tattoo will provide you with basic steps in how to tattoo. Be sure to read through the entire handbook before attempting to get started.

With this collection, not only will you be able to choose the tattoo that suits you, you will save money by avoiding the costly mistake of choosing the wrong tattoo for you or anyone else!

To find out how you can download an entire portfolio of over 14,735 of the HOTTEST tattoo designs that have been closely guarded by top membership sites, click here!.

Tattoo Designs 

Tattoo Designs can help you pick a design you can be happy with the rest of your life.

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by Moira

I love tattoos and dragons, so dragon tattoo designs are a perfect combination for me. (more)

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