Discover The True Meanings Of Japanese Dragon Tattoos

One of the most symbolic tattoos is the Japanese dragon tattoos which are not only beautiful but also extremely colourful. Its origins are filled with myth and folklore and what also adds to the appeal of dragon tattoos is the mystery surrounding them. In ancient times the dragon was perceived by many; including the Egyptians, to be a source of wealth and good luck and also represented both good and evil.

Dragon tattoos also meant freedom and were thought by many to be a sign of 'being fearless' which even today are deemed very good qualities to possess.

The word 'Dragon' was sourced from 'draca' in the Greek language and actually means 'serpent'.

The Japanese dragon also shares the same meaning as the 'angel' which is guardianship, 'protecting those that were directly associated with it'. It was also associated with many other meanings, power, strength, wisdom and supernatural powers.

The Japanese dragon came in 6 different forms:

In an age of drought there was an all-powerful king dragon named Sui-Riu who was in control of rain.

One of the largest dragons was in fact 40 feet long and full of stripes, this was named Han-Riu.

One of the most misunderstood dragons was Ri-Riu who was in fact a rare breed of dragon who was known to have incredible eye sight.

One of the smallest dragons when compared to the others; was a brilliant red dragon called Ka-Riu.

One of the most favoured dragons by many is Faku-Riu, who was also the symbol of luck.

As Chinese mythology evolved so too did the dragons, and one of the most advanced was Hai-Riyo, otherwise known as 'Dragon Bird'.

The colours of dragons also have great significance and meaning. A black dragon indicates that it originated from old and wise dragons whereas green dragons which are normally smaller in size, represent life and earth. A gold dragon had many special attributes including kindness, wisdom and the ability to meet challenges head-on.

Dragons that are yellow in colour are fantastic companions but can be a little self-absorbed from time to time. They represented the east and the west was represented by blue dragons who were both forgiving and compassionate but could also be uncaring and lazy when it suited them.

There are many different varieties of dragon tattoos about these days that to choose a single design for yourself can be a real challenge. There are many free ways to get great ideas for dragon tattoos, the first is to search the internet and some of the great sites that offer free designs, but to really find unique and uncommon designs you need to maybe search your library and look into Japanese Dragon pictures, this could also be a great source for you to actually design your own dragon tattoos.

I have researched the internet and found one of the best resources for fantastic dragon tattoos online, go check it out and look at some of the most incredible designs and information on dragon tattoos.

Cherry Blossom Tattoos - Discover The Symbolism

Cherry blossoms are becoming extremely popular tattoos among women throughout the western world. Cherry blossoms are regarded as very beautiful and sensual body adornment tattoos. However, before you decide to have a tattoo, perhaps you may like to know a little more about the cultural symbolism and history of this delicate and beautiful bloom.
There are a wide variety of cherry blossoms, known as Sakura, and they are indigenous to many East Asian countries including Japan, China, and Korea. These blooms are particularly symbolic in Japan, where they symbolize the sky due to the way they bloom in cloud like formations. Due to their short life and quick death together with their extreme beauty, they are often associated with mortality.
The symbolic nature of Cherry blossoms often influence Japanese art, manga, anime, and film, as well as at musical performances, which is where many of todays tattoo artists gain their inspiration. The popularity of these sensuous tattoos among western women is also influenced by the fact that cherry blossoms are symbolic of love, affection and good fortune. There short but beautiful life also represent the transient, fleeting nature of our own lives, and demonstrate the importance of living life intensely, as in the fullness of time, we are only on this earth very briefly.
There are also important links with the Samurai period in Japanese history, and the flowers appear on many objects of the time, such as Kimonos, sliding doors and screens. Even in modern day Japan, the symbol is used widely on consumer goods including clothing and pottery.
Cherry blossoms were painted on the sides of Japanese aircraft during the second world war, before they embarked on suicide missions. Again they would symbolize the fleeting nature of life. The Japanese also believed that the souls of their air crews lost in battle would be reincarnated as cherry blossoms, and Japanese colonialists often planted them to symbolize the territory becoming part of Japan.
In more modern days the Japanese have donated gifts of these trees as tokens of friendship and cooperation. In 1912 Japan gave the United States three thousand cherry blossom trees which were planted in Sakura Park in Manhattan, and which even to this day, produce a spectacular bloom every year.
The decision to have a tattoo is an intensely personal decision due to its permanent nature and the difficulty of having it removed in the future. If you are going to make a decision to adorn your body in this way, I hope that when you come to choose the design for your tattoo, that you now have a better understanding of its symbolism and that you are able to make a more informed choice in selecting an appropriate tattoo to convey your personality and outlook on life.