Dragon Tattoos for Men

When it comes to choosing a tattoo design, dragons, are the most poplar of all mythological creatures to be picked. Dragons are usually shown as wise, powerful and free. The Vikings used to carve dragons onto the prow of their ships, as they believed that the dragons would grant them cunning and supernatural sights. The Chinese believed that the dragons were the son of Gods and that they were their protectors. However, in the West, the dragons were seen as destroyers, who razed villages to the ground and were the selfish guards of huge amount of wealth. In Japan, dragons were seen as a caring husband and a father, while in Russia, they were shown as creatures with three heads and seven tails. Just like the dragons, the tribal dragon tattoos for men as well as women also symbolize different things.

Tattoo Meaning

When opting for a dragon, people usually go for the Eastern dragon tattoos, as they are the protectors. Dragons symbolize power, courage, wisdom, strength, and protection. Men, in the historical period were considered to be the guardians of their loved ones and so were the Eastern dragons. As for women, the symbolism means the beginning of a new life, and women are the creators of new lives. Nowadays, the tattoo artists have come up with different styles of tattoos, mainly for the women and the younger population, such as kissing dragons, or a smiling dragon. They prefer more fierce and the terrifying depiction of the dragon.

Types of Dragons

Chinese Dragons
They are the symbols of power and mystery, and they evoke fear and worship in man. The Chinese dragons are also known as the Lung, which in turn are of 4 main types:

• The Tien Lung or the Celestial dragon. They protect the heavens and the territory of Gods.
• Shen Lung or the Spiritual dragon, controls the wind and the rains.
• Ti Lung or the Earth dragon controls the rivers and water on Earth.
• Fut's Lung or the Underworld dragon, and it guards all the precious metals and gems.

They also have the 5 colored dragons:

• White dragon for pure and the virtuous
• Black dragon for the deep and mysterious people
• Vermilion dragon that blesses the lakes
• Azure dragon that is the most compassionate of all, and
• Yellow dragon which listens to all pleas.

Choosing the right Chinese dragon, needs lots of research and patience. But its worth the effort to have a tattoo that tells what kind of a person you are. Be sure that whatever design you choose, it should be done properly by an artist who has enough knowledge in this area. In the Chinese culture, it is a taboo to disfigure the image of a dragon. It indicates disrespect towards the society. Dragons in China are a symbol of strength and power. So be careful while choosing these as a tattoo design.

Western Dragons
Unlike the East, dragons in the West were considered to be evil, a destroyer of villages and lives, and abductor of women and children. They usually look like the serpents with powerful muscular bodies, four strong legs, a head shaped like a wedge, sharp-pointed teeth, elaborate ears, horns, spines running down their backs and a tail like a rudder. They had large wings which helped them to fly up high altitudes. During the Middle Ages, the brave knights fought these dragons, killed them and took over the protected treasures, or, as you probably have seen in movies, saved the maiden in distress. Some people from the Western world believed that the dragons were superior beings and the person who would slay them, became famous. Some also said that eating the heart of a dragon, gave you the ability to understand birds or rubbing the dragon's blood against your skin, protects you from any kind of stab wounds. It's usually the prison tattoo artists who ink the Western dragons.

Where to Get the Tattoo

Tattoo artists usually ink tattoos on back, arms, or maybe on their shoulders. It's usually inked in a place where others can see it. Similarly, you have men getting dragon tattoos done even on their legs. Some artists have also done rib cage tattoos for men. Thus, before going to get a tattoo done, decide where you want to have it and then get it done. Since there are tattoos for women too, they have it done mainly on their shoulders or the nape, near the ankle or on their foot.

Here's a list of celebrities who have dragon tattoos etched on their body:
David Arquette (actor), Mel "Scary Spice" B (singer), Melanie "Scary Spice" C (singer), Jeff Hardy (wrestler). Pink (singer), Bruce Willis (actor), Jonny Winter (musician), Brian Austin Green (actor) and few others.

Be careful that you do it from a place which is clean and safe, otherwise you might get an infection. Also, if you are an underage, then, you should always ask for your parent's permission before going for a tattoo.