Tattoo cultures worldwide associate the mighty dragon with mystical power representing freedom, balance, wisdom and good fortune, although in the West dragons are fire breathing monsters.

The dragon is an enduring phenomenon in traditional body art design and tattoos illustrating the modern pop culture of film, television, and video games, with distinctly different character traits and symbolic meaning tied to different kinds of the fiery reptile.

As part of far Eastern mythology, the spiritual dragon also represents protection and positivity.

The Western dragon from European folklore is more vicious and disparate in looks, while fantasy dragons have been utilized more in contemporary designs offering detailed storytelling creativity within the idea.

Below you’ll gain information about the full spectrum of dragon tattoo symbolism and how different variations continue to inspire tattoo collectors across the globe.

Asian Dragon Tattoo Meaning

The benevolent Asian dragon is typically a composite of many creatures depicted as serpent-like without wings.

Chinese and Japanese tattoos have developed in much the same fashion over a long period; they’re sinuous and snakelike with narrow heads and sharp fangs, usually portrayed without wings.

For a typical old-school Asian dragon, the eyes may appear demonic. It might have the neck and belly of a serpent, the horns of a stag, and scales borrowed from the koi fish. 

The simplest way to distinguish them from each other is Japanese dragons are most often depicted with three claws, while Chinese dragons have five.

1. Japanese Dragon Tattoo Symbolism

In traditional Japanese tattoo culture, dragons (Ryu) are some of the most commonly applied subjects. The mythical creature is symbolic of the forces that use their strength for the good of others.