Demystifying the Chinese Zodiac Tattoo Dragon Design

                        When choosing a more detailed Chinese tattoo, people greatly consider the Chinese zodiacs. This does not only give you a feeling of being sexy; having confidence and poise; but it also shows your personality as the bearer of the tattoo. Whether you chose to have a pattern of Chinese zodiac animals or the Chinese zodiac symbol, what is important is that, you know the representation of each one.

Chinese zodiac tattoo dragon is one of the symbols of the Chinese astrology according to the Chinese calendar. Actually, the Chinese do not include the dragon as part of their history; it is considered a myth instead. It is said that dragons possess a supernatural powers both in earthly and heavenly bodies. Generally, they may appear as powerful leaders or controlling rulers. A Dragon is known in most Asian countries as a symbol of war and courage. They put up a kingdom or dynasty and took the dragon as a representation of the troop's strength and power.

The Chinese dragon is believed to be the most powerful among the twelve zodiacs for it has the characteristics of strength, supremacy, harmony and good luck. For the Chinese and other Asian countries dragon endows good luck to many people. In fact, they try to make sure that they deliver their new born babies in the year of the dragon which is in the years of 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012 for them to have a healthy growth and prosperous living.

In deciding what kind of Chinese zodiac tattoo you will be wearing, considering that you do not want to stick with the zodiac of your birth year, make sure to scan a bit with its real design or pattern to make sure you will not regret it and misinterpret its real meaning. There are many resources if you will just go to the broader aspects, you can have books about Chinese tattoos, magazines including Chinese zodiac signs or the most convenient one is the internet. In this, although you can have it removed, you can be assured that the symbol being inked on your skin is a suitable design for you.

If you chose to have a design tattooed on your body, you should know the meaning and representation of it. The Chinese zodiac tattoo dragon does not differ mostly in symbolization as of the western dragon, celtic dragon and the dragon, generally speaking. People born in this year are considered to be energetic, talented and intelligent. And because of their self-confidence they are often a good leader. They tend to dream higher than anyone else and achieve their big dreams on their own way. Speaking of the dragon being the lucky one, they easily get attention but they are, at times, humble and love helping others.

The Chinese Tattoo Dragon

The Chinese are an ancient culture and the art of tattooing extends back to at least the time of the ancient silk trades when routes from central Asia and the Pacific crossed through southern China bringing more than just material goods. From at least that time on, Chinese tattoos have developed into the intricate, beautiful and symbolic art which typifies them today.

Chinese tattoos, always very much in demand, are still extremely popular today. We can recall from so many movies and mystery novels how they were at one time the domain of the Mafia and criminals. Eventually, Hollywood stars were sporting these designs, especially the Chinese tattoo dragon. Most people realize that there are hidden meanings in these images, but the truth is that their beauty can be appreciated whether we know what subtleties there are, or not.

Of course the primary requirement any of us should have in choosing a tattoo is the aesthetic. We want to love looking at it and want other people to admire it as well. Chinese tattoos are excellent discussion objects because they traditionally are more than just "pictures;" they are symbols as well and reputedly contain hidden meanings. The stories behind these ancient images make for some great conversation.

But like most things in our lives, some are real and some are not. It is easy for us to be mislead when choosing an image, basing part of our decision on it's "meaning," when we may not get our information from a reliable source. Better to do your own due diligence and especially try talking to a native Chinese speaker to be sure. You don't want to find out too late that what you thought meant "Health, Wealth and Power" really means "Kick my Butt" or even just something without any meaning at all.

The Chinese tattoo dragon is a very popular subject and is as varied in its execution as it is in its design and meaning. A symbol of mystery and inherent power, the Chinese tattoo dragon has been found in legends of the West as well as the East. It has long been an object of fear and a symbol of worship.

It's interesting that in Medieval Europe the dragon was a terrifying figure, a fire-breathing destroyer of magnificent proportions, ferocious, striking terror in the hearts of all who would see him. But in Asia, it was just the opposite. The dragon there is a symbol of benevolence, intelligence and kindness. It may have been Lao Tzu who said "Kindness is the greatest wisdom" and in China the dragon embodied that ideal.

The image of the dragon is so tied to China that the Chinese are affectionately known as the "descendents of the dragon."

Dragons come in several specific species and Chinese tattoo dragons are created as variations on all of them. There is the Yellow Dragon, a bookish fellow know for being scholarly, the Coiling Dragon who lives in the sea, a Treasure Dragon who is the keeper/ protector of precious materials (metals and jewels).and the Earth Dragon who is the ruler of our earthly domain.

Also present is the Horned Dragon who is also considered to be the mightiest of them all, the Celestial Dragon whose duty it is to protect the gods while supporting the heavens, the Spiritual Dragon, controller of the rain and the wind and finally the Winged Dragon which is the only one who has wings.

Do some more research on some of these if you are looking for one to use yourself, and remember to check carefully to verify that the symbolism you think you are getting is what you are getting! Aside from that, the natural beauty and exotic quality of these creatures make them wonderful art objects and choosing the perfect Chinese tattoo dragon for you can be a labor of love, the fruits of which you should be able to enjoy for many years to come.

Tattoo Dragons

Of all the subjects for tattoos, dragons are the most enduring and distinctive.

While women tend to like baby (smaller) dragons on their shoulder or foot, men prefer larger, fiercer dragons to be tattooed on their arms, shoulder, backs or legs. They are one of the few popular tattoo subjects which can extend up an arm or down a leg without looking distorted or contrived. The dragon design can also be used for armbands. At the end of this article you will find all the recommended web sites for the latest tattoo dragon designs.

The popularity of dragon tattoos is partly due to the number of fresh and exciting designs now available, but also due to the sharp, projecting elements of the dragon's fangs, wings and claws which modern tattoo artists can now produce successfully, to give clean and striking definition to the tattoo image. When Kwai Chang Caine picked up the red hot dragon bowl in 'Kung Fu' using his forearms, thus imprinting himself with the dragon and tiger brand of the Shaolin Temple, he could not have received a dragon symbol half as sharp and striking as anyone can receive nowadays in a modern tattoo parlor, and without the pain.

So why would anyone want to have a tattoo dragon? Isn't the dragon a mythical creature, created by the writers of legends and drawn from the minds of unreliable artists over the ages? Surely modern men and women are far beyond belief in such animals, unlike the medieval cartographers who lettered 'Here be Dragons' on the vague outlines of the unknown lands on the edges of their maps and charts, as a warning to the unwary.

It's not enough just to assume that modern tattoo subjects think that a dragon has a 'cool shape'. So do giraffes, humming birds and stick insects, but you don't see many of those when the shirts come off at summer parties.

Dragons have a place in both eastern and western history and culture which gives a clue to their popularity. Dragons are always large, powerful and dangerous, and people who have dragon tattoos likely feel that yes, they are a bit like that too. In stories dragons are often imbued with some magical or supernatural power, far beyond that of ordinary animals. They can also talk in riddles, they can fly, and they are usually almost invulnerable, qualities which any human would be happy to acquire.

Dragons also have hoards of money and jewels, again an attractive characteristic which any modern urbanite would love to imitate.

People born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon (every twelve years, the next being in 2012) are considered to be brave, energetic and trustworthy. In western culture, from 'The Hobbit' by J. R. R. Tolkien to 'Earthsea' by Ursula K. Le Guin to the 'Shrek' movies, dragons are powerful, greedy and fascinating. They are tremendous as friends and fearful as enemies.

It is well known that from prehistoric times right through to relatively modern tribal societies that people would adopt a creature as theirs, the symbol of their clan, and so hope to acquire some of its power. The tattoo dragons that modern people love to have on their bodies are simply a manifestation of the urge to be bigger, better and stronger than the rest.

Dragon Tattoos Are Cool

                       Many people think that dragons are cool, and would love to have a dragon tattoo. Some of them know exactly what they would want, and many of them do not. It can be difficult deciding on a tattoo to get. There are many designs and colors that you could get, as well as deciding on a place on your body to put it. These are some ideas about dragon tattoos.

Some people have gigantic dragon tattoos that cover a lot of their body, generally on their back. This may not be as big of an American thing, but it is common to people with dragon tattoos. It is very pretty, but it would take a very long time and be very painful. Dragon tattoos tend to be pretty large, and are very pretty and intricate. There are a lot of web sites where you can browse different dragon tattoo designs. There are so many different designs that you can get, that it can be hard to choose.

The most popular places to get dragon tattoos are the forearm, shoulder, and back. Though, you can get them anywhere you could think off. The stomach is also a pretty popular place to get your dragon tattoo. The forearm would most likely be the place where it hurts the least; I suppose it depends on your body. The legs are also cool places to get dragon tattoos.

These are just a few ideas about dragon tattoos. Maybe you don't like them; there are many different places for you to get information about dragon tattoos. If you do like them though, there are tons places to look for dragon tattoo ideas, just Google it and you will find tons of them. Hopefully, this was very helpful in finding you and idea for a dragon tattoo.

The Case For Dragon Tattoo Designs

                        Dragons are a creature much revered. Whether protecting castles, fighting knights, parading in the Orient, or flying to a lair high atop a peak, this iconic figure has been heralded as a protector and feared as a monster. But regardless of the homage being paid, dragon tattoo designs are a part of mainstream tattoo repertoire because of the mystery that surrounds this oft fire-breathing beast.

Dragons have history and tradition in many societies, especially in those of Medieval Europe and those of ancient Oriental origins. In fact, both of these cultures have contributed much of the lore corresponding to the Eastern and Western dragon.

On one hand, the Eastern dragon is understood to represent the characteristics of courage, honor, and strength. Seen as divine protectors, Eastern dragons are also esteemed as bearers of essential life water and life sustainers. On the other hand, Western dragons are viewed as the evil counterpart of the Eastern dragon. Known for their savagery and brutality, the Western dragon is often associated with evil, and even the Devil.

The freedom of using dragon art for tattoo designs is beneficial for both the one who is getting a tattoo and the one who is inking the design. The sheer variety this beast offers is the primary reason its popularity has grown in recent years.

Dragons are a favorite design among tattoo artists because of the variety afforded to them. Design, detail, and coloration are all aesthetic liberties that the artist can take with dragon tattoos, and these tattoos also look great on the skin, wrapping around various parts of the body.

Dragon tattoos can be done as armbands, on the lower back, ankles, shoulders, chest, or just about anywhere else. Among the most requested dragon designs are tribal dragons, Japanese dragons, fire-breathing dragons, Jade dragons, Red dragons, and mythological dragons. Often these intricately created pieces of art become masterpieces of color and complexity.

Shrewd attention should be given by both the wearer and the tattooer to what type of dragon is being portrayed. Because of the literal and figurative differences between the Eastern and Western dragons, minute differences in detail of color, appearance, and motif can make huge differences in translation of meaning or portrayal of intention.

Among all the creatures and beasts tied to myth and fantastical belief, dragon tattoo designs are by far the greatest in demand. Winged or unwinged, Eastern or Western, feared or revered, dragon images faithfully adorn bodies all over the world.