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Whether born of fantasy, myth, misinterpretation, or a little of
each, the dragon is a mysterious creature in the history and
tradition of nearly all cultures since the beginning of time. The
dragon tattoo design makes a unique and powerful personal statement
for the individual who chooses it for self-expression in body art.
Do you picture yourself with a dragon tattoo? If so, here are some
things to consider when you choosing the right design for you.
Why are Dragon Tattoo Designs so Popular
Dragons are a classic choice for a tattoo design. They are more
popular then many other mythological creatures including mermaid
tattoos, gryphon tattoos and fairy tattoos. Dragons are depicted as
powerful and free. Their legend is always cloaked in magic and
mystery. They come from the tops of japanese mountains and the
bottom of the deepest oceans. Dragons are usually portrayed as
highly intelligent and evolved creatures. Because of their
ferocious appeal, dragons have been depicted by artists throughout
history in a wide variety of forms. Todays tattoo designers and
illustrators have taken the art of the dragon to amazing new
levels. Whether you want a traditional dragon tattoo or one with a
cutting edge modern look you will find an incredible gallery of
amazing images to choose from. Tattoo artists have paid special
attention to creating images of dragons because they look great on
the skin. In color or in black and white, dragons can wrap around
the body and flatter the contours of the body. Dragons can be
depicted as tribal, celtic or jade designs. Etched in black, red or
blue a tribal dragon is a strong bold image. When designed
carefully, a celtic dragon adds distinct touch to any tattoo
collection. A dragon tattoo design can go from one part of the body
to another for a unifying effect on a large body design. Elaborate,
bestial, beautiful or bizarre, the dragon tattoo may appear with
wings or without, fire-breathing or not. For those of you who hear
the dragon tattoo beckon, their diversity in form offers up a
unique selection that will continue to inspire.
The History of the Dragon in mythology and design.
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. No other creature in mythology has appeared in so many
cultures from such remote parts of the world. While many of us
conjure up a terrifying beast when envisioning a dragon, the
Oriental or 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 and
medieval dragons have a more ferocious and primitive appearance.
They often look more lizard-like with long tails and wings. While
they to are often seen as intelligent creatures, they sometimes can
be portrayed as mindless brutes. Talons, fangs, fire, scaled skins,
and red eyes are typical of the dragon images we see in art and
have come to imagine.
Dragon Symbolism, Mythology & Folklore
Dragons hold a special place in all of mythology and folklore.
These enchanted creatures sit at the top of the food chain and have
inspired many different meanings and myths.
Dragons as Creator, Sustainer and
Destroyer
. The Australian Aboriginal ‘Rainbow
Serpent’ has appeared in art as far back as 6000 years. Attributed
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’
purportedly created the rivers and streams with his serpentine
coils, and the mountain peaks with his excrement. Numerous other
dragons are present in creation lore 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 Sentinel and Protector
.
Dragons are associated with the dead in Scandinavian myth and in
England, they were believed to have guarded 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 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, but in the East, the dragon
was a benevolent son of heaven, and controlled the elements of air,
water and fire.
Dragons as Bringers of death with Fiery
Tempers
. Dragons are frequently portrayed as bringers
of death. The black dragon Nidhog (corpse-tearer) had an impact on
that judgment. Said to bring destruction through their fiery
tempers, immense size, and magical abilities, dragons are allegedly
accountable for many tragedies at sea and on land.
Dragons as Rulers of the Elements
.
With power over fire, rain, and the earth, as well as enemy of the
sun and moon, 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, even flooding upon the land by both the
Chinese and the Norse, many myths represent the dragon near water
and forested areas. In both Eastern and Western mythology, the
dragon is believed to be responsible for eclipses.
Dragon tattoos can represent greed
.
The dragons have been noted as the king of bringing out the worst
in humankind’s nature, in particular greed. Dragons are known for
hoarding wealth and often will capture a beautiful maiden.
Dragon Tattoo Designs Representing Physical Prowess
and Protection
. In Greek mythology, the dragon
protects the spring of Ares (god of war). The first emperor of
China, Shi Huangdi, took the dragon as an emblem of his power. Some
believed dragons to be the ancestors of ancient emperors.
These are but a few of the hundreds of mythological sightings
and significations 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 intrigue in their wake. From the
underwater Loch Ness Monster to the serpentine entity ‘Charlie,’
spotted from time to time in the Payette Lakes of North Idaho,
there continue to be hundreds of miscellaneous sightings of strange
dragon-like creatures throughout the world. Real or imagined, there
is no denying their impact!
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.
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