Everything You Need to Know About Dragon Tattoo Designs

Dragons are an incredibly popular choice in tattoo designs these days. Just about everyone you see with tattoos has some form of dragon somewhere on their body it seems. When did this start? Why do they choose the dragon? What does it mean?

The myth of the dragon is said to have begun in the Far East, mainly in China and Japan. However, there are many ancient cultures that use the symbol of the dragon to represent different ideas. For instance, the Vikings used to etch a dragon onto their ships hoping that it would give their warriors a keen sense of sight and a crafty nature to defeat their foes.

There are many meanings that can be attributed to the dragon tattoo, which may be one of the reasons that they are such a popular choice. In the Far East, Dragons are a symbol of the four elements, earth, fire, water and air or the four directions: North, South, East and West. Others see them as a symbol of ancient wisdom and still others believe that they represent a fierce determination toward a particular goal. They are also known to be magical, mythical, wild and free. They transcend time and social boundaries.

There are probably even more styles of dragon tattoo designs than there are meanings to be found among the people who have them. The eastern style of dragon is usually depicted as a colorful serpent with no wings and large teeth, sometimes breathing fire and winding itself around something that it is protecting, such as the Buddha. Western dragons are often seen in a more evil light, since early Christians believed the dragon was the Serpent who tricked Eve into eating the apple in the Garden of Eden. These can be colorful dragons, but also work well in black and white if that is the person's choice. They also have long serpentine bodies and are generally seen with large bat-like wings, sharp claws and fire flowing past their huge teeth. The tribal dragon tattoo is also another popular style; these are done more as flat black images denoting the idea of the dragon as a symbol, rather than a beautiful representation of the beast itself.

Visit Tattoo Design Hub for free samples and more information about dragon tattoo designs.

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