Dragon tattoo
A dragon is a mythological legendary creature very similar to different species of reptiles in the world. Dragons are known for having wings and spewing fire. The word “Dragon” etymologically speaking, has existed on the English language since the early 13th century. It came from the Old French word “dragon”, which in turn, comes from the Latin: draconem meaning “huge serpent, dragon”, and from the Greek word δράκων, drakon which means “serpent or giant seafish”. The Greek and Latin term are referred to any great serpent, not necessarily mythological. Also, this usage was also current in the English language up to the 18th century.
Nevertheless, Dragons are associated to the Oriental Culture. For instance, dragons are the most known symbol of Emperors, since the dragon was master of all the elements of nature. The sinuous dragon can take many forms and is victorious in any circumstance. The dragon is often used in corporate logos and can be either male or female.
Although dragons of the Oriental Culture and Occidental Culture have quite similar physical characteristics, their symbolic representations are drastically different and, in a way, indicate the cultural differences between these civilizations. The European dragon, derived from “European folk traditions” and related to Balkans and Western Asian mythologies. The Chinese dragon, with counterparts in Japan, Korea and other East Asian and South Asian countries. Most are depicted as serpentine creatures with above-average intelligence, and are quadrupeds (four legs and wingless).
The most notable difference between the Asian and European dragons is that while the European folklore has portrayed the dragons as evil, fearsome and malevolent creatures, the Asian cultures regard them as benevolent beings. The two traditions may have evolved separately, but have influenced each other to a certain extent, particularly with the cross-cultural contact of recent centuries.
For centuries Dragons have captured the imagination of men. Some theorists believe that dragon myths originated from primitive people finding large skeletons of dinosaurs and postulating how they appeared during life. Others believe that forms of dragons still exist on earth today. The Loch Ness Monster is the primary modern example of a potential “water dragon”.
Some anthropologists believe that fire-spitting creatures are a real possibility. Animals with chambers for gases such as methane and a way to rub stones together in a large gizzard could conceivably breathe fire. Bombardier beetles, for example, spit vaporized acid out of their abdomens.
Dragons are one of the most complex and universal symbols on earth. Their popularity in contemporary literature and films seems to assure their ongoing place in literature and in the imagination of mankind.
On the Feng Shui: an expectant dragon is normally seen as a symbol of future and expansion. The dragon is usually linked with fame, reputation and career. When the dragon symbol is applied in Feng shui, the most effective areas are: the home area or the home-office area.
Related with the tattoos, exist different types of dragon tattoos, for example the Classic Chinese Dragon, according to the Chinese people is a symbol of self-confidence, Inner force and courage. Also dragon´s heart beat stronger that usually when expel fire.
Also the Classic Chinese dragons symbolize experience, durability, endurance, passion, productivity, propagation, and regeneration. They are mythical beings having enchanted powers and further symbolize the abundance of water in some cultures and some countries. The dragons in the grateful India are known as “The Nagas”; are creatures half serpents and half humans with features of sea living things that existed in the underworld and dominated by the Eagle-Man God, “Garuda”. These creatures were considered the guardians of the whole water.
Another type of tattoos are the Dragon and Tiger worked together as a “whole”. Both animals put together all the forces of the universe that reflect the Yin and Yang. To the Chinese people, the tiger represents a great status, because the tiger itself is a majestic animal and in the nature the tiger are one of the biggest animals in the world; and also represents courage to cope with adversities. This, combined with the prosperity, advantage, and Yang/black energy of Chinese dragons, works as an incredible combination for all those who want to tattoo them on the skin.
According to a group of tattoo artist, they classified in other groups the Vietnamese tattoo, this Vietnamese people have an original Dragon Riding Clouds, consist on Clouds which are symbols of a celestial god and also represents immortality, because many of this gods according to old legends; they used the cloud as a vehicle on which they traveled. The cloud is also considered a omen of good luck and fortune, carrying needed rains to the growth of abundant cultivation. The clouds also refers to the water, and how save people of droughts. When clouds and dragons are combined, represents the perfect emblem of positive effects on the carriers’ life. Together brings strong rainfalls and symbolized personal growth, continuation and prosperity. On the other hand, in the Korean culture the dragons are remembered as bringers of clouds and rains, and are associated with water and agriculture.
The famous Dragon Encircling Pearl is recognized as another type of Asian tattoo which consist in a pearl that is often illustrated with a pair of Chinese dragons. The pearl is usually thought to represent the moon. There is a legend that some dragons have become in love with the moon, and they try intensely trying to steal it from the sky. Other tales said that the pearl is an egg placed beneath the dragon’s face. The dragon carried the egg and hatch the egg until the baby dragon comes to the earth. But this story is an urban legend, most people agreed with tale that the pearl represents all the dragon’s wisdom. Hence the term: “pearls of wisdom.”
And finally the last but not the least the “American Dragons” is one of the modern representations of the dragons in North America. The ancient Mesoamerican mythologies tells stories about a creature with a serpentine form. In the USA and in Canada are common this dragon stories about a dragon as a “Horned Snake” this belief came of the aboriginal people that tell that was not a bad creature and come to the aid the young women. The Mesoamerican dragons were important gods in the Aztec and the Mayan cultures. Most famous of all of them is the Feathered Serpent or Quetzalcoatl. The dragon in American is also known for creating the Earth and everything else on it. It was believed to debug the evil from people and could control weather and the rain, like the Asian dragons.