Chinese Dragon Tattoo
A Chinese Dragon tattoo is just one particular type of Dragon tattoo design available for the tattoo enthusiast to choose from. A Chinese Dragon tattoo draws upon the different symbols and meanings of the image of the Dragon within the context of traditional Chinese culture.
Within the context of traditional Chinese culture, the symbol of the Dragon is indicative of royal or imperial descent. The image of the Dragon is a highly revered and respected symbol within the context of Chinese culture because of this association. Imperial dynasties throughout China’s political as well as social histories consistently associated themselves with the image of the Dragon, almost as if to help repudiate as well as substantiate their belief that they had acquired their royal and imperial rule over the people of China through divine intervention.
This behavior is no different from other royal reigns of rule, but the use of the Dragon as a symbol of divine descent is specific to traditional Chinese imperialist culture. Also, the image of the Dragon in traditional Chinese culture is not only indicative of a certain special type of power or a spark of divinity, but the image of the Dragon is also a symbol of good wishes, lots of luck, and great fortune as well. When passed between two people, the image of the Dragon in Chinese culture is most definitely considered an offer, a bestowment, a promise of, or a wish for a great and purely good, benevolent power—even if the image is in a Chinese Dragon tattoo.
Therefore, Chinese Dragon tattoos are great talisman (or good luck charms) to the people who have them inked onto their skin. Chinese Dragon tattoos are usually inked in with colors such as rich reds, deep yellows and marigolds, and many shades of orange. Beware though: according to Chinese culture, a Dragon tattoo colored in with white ink could potentially be seen as indicative of death and a warning of the victory of the Western world. This is probably not something you want to express with your Chinese Dragon tattoo and, although such associations are a bit archaic to be made by those who see your awesome tattoo, a warning against it seems like a far precaution to make… and take.
Within the context of Chinese culture, there are several types of Dragons. Some of these are the water dragon, the wood dragon, the metal dragon, the fire dragon, and even the earth dragon. A lot of similarities could be argued between the signs within Western zodiac and its associations with the elements (water, air, earth, and fire) and the types of Dragons found within the context of Chinese culture. A person could potential get a Chinese Dragon tattoos designed with one of these particular Dragons in mind in order to express their personal temperament and character (as each type of Dragon signifies a different types of personal attributes). Also, it is interesting, too, to note that the year of the Dragon occurs every 12 years within the context of the Chinese zodiac. It is traditionally believed to bring good luck and fortune to all during that particular year.
