Dragon Tattoos in History

Legendary creatures such as dragons are revered throughout mythology and folklore. Many Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and other countries have a tradition of using dragons as a symbol. The mythologies of eastern civilizations portray dragons as noble creatures with distinct powers and honors, whereas European mythologies portray them as vile and dark.

Many meanings can be attributed to the symbolism of dragon tattoos. While dragons may be viewed as a symbol of strength and wisdom by some civilizations, they are viewed as greedy and bad omens by others. China (representing wisdom and good luck), Japan (representing harmony and balance), and Celtic dragons (displayed as thrones and crowns that depict power and strength) are among the most popular styles.

In eastern cultures, dragons are seen as noble creatures that provide wisdom and protection, whereas, in western cultures, they represent something much darker, and potentially far more dangerous. Although both are often depicted as free roving creatures, they have the appearance of very intelligent creatures. In that sense, the dragon tattoo can represent freedom as well as a desire for self-expression.

Symbolizing power, protection, and wisdom, the dragon is the symbol of these qualities. Regardless of whether you consider it an ally or an enemy, its fearsome and warlike qualities make it an excellent ally. Most people have heard a story about the knight slaying the dragon and capturing the princess’ heart. Many ancient cultures place the honor of slaying the dragon among some of the highest achievements. In St. George or Beowulf, the dragon is often portrayed as representing pre-Christian thought.

In addition to being versatile, the dragon can be drawn in many other styles, such as realistic or abstract art or cartoony or dramatic art. Most of them are done in solid ink according to tribal tattooing styles. Despite this, we see more and more colored tribal tattoos nowadays. No matter what you choose for your dragon tattoo, there are many options to consider when it comes to choosing a design.