Enlightenment, spirituality, hidden knowledge.Associated with wisdom, respect, and power. The color of royalty, magic, and mystery. Tranquility, spirituality, divine guidance.Creativity, imagination, artistic vision.But can also signify anger, bloodshed, and vengeance.Ĭalming blue represents the life-giving waters dragons control and their dwelling in the seas. Red evokes the dragon‘s fiery breath and mystical powers. Connection to nature and the environmentĪ royal color representing wealth, prosperity, success, and good fortune in Chinese culture.Intensity, passion, willingness to explore darknessĪssociated with nature, life energy, renewal, and the Earth itself in Eastern symbolism.Experience, wisdom gained through challenges.This ominous color represents their primordial power and fiery ferocity. In both Eastern and Western lore, black is most closely associated with dragons. Here are symbolic interpretations of the most popular dragon colors: Black Dragon Tattoos While black is the most common dragon color, adding colors can enhance meaning and artistry. Now let‘s explore how dragon color can impact meaning as well. Ultimately, the symbolism of your dragon comes down to your chosen design and personal connection to this mythic creature. Protectors who defend the weak with honor.Ĭommon symbolic meanings associated with dragon tattoos: They represent the ability to be gentle or fierce when required. They can represent a wide range of symbolic meanings.įor many modern tattoo enthusiasts, dragons embody primal cosmic power and the balance between dark and light. Today, dragon tattoos draw inspiration from both Eastern and Western representations of this multifaceted creature. While some Western stories like Dragonheart eventually painted them in a more nuanced light, historically they were dangerous villains. So in contrast to the East, Western dragons became symbols of sin, greed, chaos, and evil. European folk tales like Saint George slaying the dragon reinforced them as wicked beasts.Scripture describes the devil as a 'great dragon'. Christianity directly linked dragons with Satan.Slavic myth described dragons as evil serpents who collected gold and jewels in underground lairs.Here, they were almost always portrayed as sinister, malevolent monsters who must be vanquished by heroes. The Villainous Dragon in Western LoreĮuropean and Middle Eastern cultures, heavily influenced by Christianity, had a very different take on dragons. So across Eastern cultures, the dragon was a coveted symbol of prosperity, protection, fertility, and divine cosmic power. Seeing a dragon in your dreams was considered highly auspicious, signaling coming good fortune.Japanese dragons (Ryū) were messengers of the gods, protectors, and even helped fertilize rice fields with their clouds and rains.They were water deities who were often shown with clouds, lightning, and storms. Meanwhile in Japan, dragons were associated with the sea and rains.

Only emperors were allowed to use the dragon as a symbol, as it represented imperial command and power.The dragon was the highest ranking creature in the Chinese zodiac and calendar system.Jade Emperor was the supreme dragon king who created the universe from chaos.According to Chinese mythology, dragons were the rulers of all living creatures and could control the elements and seasons. The Chinese dragon (Lóng) is the ultimate representation of power, strength, and good fortune. In China, Japan, and across most of Asia, dragons have long been considered very positive, auspicious symbols. Dragons as Auspicious Symbols in Eastern Cultures These mythical beasts are woven into the legends and folklore of nearly every culture on earth.īut while they are universally recognized, dragons symbolize very different things in Eastern vs. Let‘s delve into the complex history, symbolism, and art behind dragon tattoos! The Symbolic Origins and History of Dragonsįor centuries, dragons have had a powerful hold on our imagination. Styles like Japanese Irezumi, Celtic, and Tribal.Color symbolism for the most popular dragon hues.In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll provide everything you need to know about dragon tattoos including: As a fellow ink enthusiast and tattoo expert, I completely understand the appeal!ĭragon tattoos hold deep meaning. If you‘re considering a dragon tattoo, you‘ve likely been drawn in by their captivating mythology and striking artistic designs.

Chinese draken tattoo