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A dragon tattoo is a symbol of power courage
strength and strong will. Dragons were valued
for their warlike qualities and were often believed
to be protectors of valuable treasure. In medieval
times it was said that kings used dragons to
protect sacred treasures in caves. No one could
take the treasure without slaying the dragon
first. This included the king also. So dutiful
and valiant was the dragon. Both Chinese and
Japanese folklore is full of stories of how
different creatures were transformed into dragons
at the end of their different quests involving
journeys of immense perseverance and struggles.
It is no wonder that the dragon tattoo is such
a popular symbol.
As in all things there is a big difference
in the way the people of the east and the west
view dragons. In the east the dragon has been
viewed as a symbol of benevolent power that
protected people, dispensed life giving water
and heralded fertility and good fortune. In
contrast western cultures viewed the dragon
as something to be feared and hated since it
destroyed villages to loot and hoard treasure.
So a dragon tattoo is used to symbolize a mean
stubborn and tough image in the west. In the
east however the dragon tattoo is a representation
of might power and divine grace because the
dragon is seen as a bearer of profound blessings.
In fact the Chinese people are fondly referred
to as the descendents of the dragon.
In the Far East the dragon represents the four
natural elements – earth wind fire and water
and also represents the four directions – north
south east and west. Just as nature has the
capacity to both nurture and destroys so does
the dragon. And just as nature encompasses all
the four directions so does the power of the
dragon. Therefore dragon tattoos are seen as
indicative of special strength and abilities.
In Japanese and Chinese cultures the highest
gift anyone could receive was to be transformed
into a dragon. The power and magical abilities
of the dragon could only be received after an
incredibly long quest filled with dangers and
perils. Certain dragons were supposed to possess
large amounts of wisdom and it was said that
one could only pass by them if one correctly
answered its riddles. The dragon tattoo therefore
became a symbol of this much coveted raw power
and immense intelligence
The designs on dragon tattoos show the growing
influence that eastern cultures have had on
the west and vice versa.
Today the dragon tattoo is seen the world over
as fashionable and a representation of being
free and fearless. The most common form of design
in a dragon tattoo is still the eastern and
oriental representation. Dragon tattoos are
normally drawn in black and highlighted with
colorful flames and fire. There is a superstition
that the eyes of the dragon must not be colored
or it will cause the dragon to come to life!
So some traditional eastern people put ink in
the eyes of the dragon tattoo after the person
dies in order to set the dragon free. Men usually
place their dragon tattoos on their back, arms,
shoulders and legs while women place their dragon
tattoos on shoulder, nape, side, ankle and foot.
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