What does a dragon tattoo symbolize?

Answer 1

The symbolic meaning of dragon varies across different cultures. In the Asian countries like China and Japan, dragon symbolizes the supernatural power that controls water element. Chinese also perceives dragon as sign of emperor. More interestingly, in the Chinese methodology, dragon has nine sons, and their appearances have ranged from a gigantic tortoise to snake depending on their magic power. And, the symbolic meaning change accordingly. When you goto the old Chinese restaurant, it is common to find some "S-shape" pattern decorates around the edge of the rice bowl. It is the symbol "taotie", dragon's fifth son, meaning the love to eat.

Answer 2

Here are opinions and answers from WikiAnswers Contributors: * I have one and it's for good luck. * The artist who did my dragonfly tattoo told me that it symbolizes freedom. * The dragon fly is symbolic for change and being okay with it. Here is a story: The Dragonfly Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever. Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying. So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life! * The dragonfly�s shell is designed with special facets that reflect and refract their beautiful colors in the light of the sun. This almost sparkling appearance has leant added meaning to the dragonfly�s form. They�ve taken on a mystical and magical symbolism. The dragonfly�s magic is its light magic, and all of the wonderful similes, metaphors and clich�s that light has inspired. In Japan, the Japanese people have chosen to honor the dragonfly as a symbol of joy and new light. Thus, the dragonfly has come to be an image that inspires us to not only learn to practice the shedding and mirroring of light in our own lives, but to learn to see when others are doing it, too! Additionally, dragonflies certainly aren�t limited to women! In Native American Astrology, there is a strong belief that each person has a totem animal spirit which serves as their guardians and guides through certain phases of life. Often, an individual would have many different totems throughout life, some for just a time, and some for their entire lives. And one of these totem spirits was the spirit of the dragonfly. It would adopt men and women, young and old. The dragonfly spirit means you must consciously make an effort to express your hopes, dreams, needs and wishes. The dragonfly spirit is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication from the elemental world. Its medicine beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits which need changing. You can turn to the dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation. * Three bugs talking about the mysteries of life. Once in a while one friend would crawl up a piece of grass and disappear forever. They made a pact that if one of them left they would come back and let the others know what happened. One day it happened, he had the call to climb the grass and as he broke through the surface he paused and shook away his hard shell and discovered he had wings. He found he could fly and in his flight he discovered his world was brighter than anything he had ever imagined and the beauty was breathtaking. He remembered his pact with the others below and started down to the water. He tried and tried to break through the surface to reach his friends and couldn't. He know they would join him one day and that they too would see the beauty of this new world. The birth of the dragonfly after his years of life as a larva. This story was used to explain the death and passage to heaven of a grandparent to a child. I lost my mother and this story also brought me comfort. I also wait to break out of the murky water and join the others I love in the bright light of Heaven. * I have a Dragonfly/Katsumushi tattoo'd on my right leg. It was a gift to me on my 30th birthday from someone who had taught me much.. It symbolizes invincibility, wisdom, speed/agility, and is symbolic of being a messenger from ~ another world. It is still considered by some of us as good luck in returning from battle. * The dragonfly represents many things to different cultures. I will add that in ancient Japanese culture, the dragonfly represented protection and good luck to warriors on the battle field. In many Native American tribes dragonflies symbolize whirlwind, swiftness and much activity. That being said, having a dragonfly tattoo could be a representation of any of these symbols. * All the members of the band Coheed and Cambria have dragonfly tattoos because of the cover of their first album (The Second Stage Turbine Blade) it is not uncommon for die hard fans of the band to get the same tattoo.

Answer 3

For the most part dragons have always been signs of protection and also of wisdom. Despite this, it may mean something different for someone else, or it could just be that the person likes dragons.

Answer 4

Traditionally speaking, dragons are protectors and they usually are meant to symbolize this especially if the tattoo in question is Asian in nature. This is not always the meaning behind the tattoo, and it could very well be that the person with the tattoo simply likes dragons. It's relative to the person who has the tattoo.

Answer 5

In Chinese mythology, the dragon is a mythical creature that represents the male spirit, or yang. The pheonix represents female spirit, or yang. So it's almost like having a yinyang tatto on your arm.

Answer 6

A dragon tattoo symbolizes strength, courage and beauty. Even though dragons are seen as quite fierce creatures they are strong and fearless, beautiful and colourful.