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.

The Mysterious Meanings of Dolphin Tattoos

Dolphin tattoos are very very popular. Although some may choose to tattoo a dolphin simply because they like the animal and how cute it is, others will dig deeper for the other meanings that a dolphin tattoo has.
So whether you have a dolphin tattoo or currently planning to get one, it is a good idea to know the different meanings that these tattoos have.
So what is it about a dolphin that makes it such a popular subject for tattoos? For one, their intelligence. They are smart and communicative; they arrange themselves into families and take care of their family. They even protect other pregnant dolphins, which indicates loyalty.
But even this long list is not the end of the dolphin's appeal. Dolphins, especially to us humans, look free spirited, joyful and playful. A dolphin tattoo represents these qualities and more: happiness, as dolphins always appear to be smiling with their big mouths. They are also very graceful animals, as you probably already know yourself.
They are also known for being very very strong.
To top it all off, the symbol of the dolphin is believed to bring prosperity and luck.
And the list of meanings doesn't end there. If you choose to tattoo two dolphins instead of just one, know that this also symbolizes harmony. Some go even further and design their tattoo so the two dolphins make a Yin- Yang shape.
So what is the relation between the person wearing the dolphin tattoo design and all of this traits and meanings? Either a person want to show that he is feeling a certain way (strong, graceful and joyful, for example), or he might not be feeling all or any these things when coming to tattoo a dolphin, but still tattoos it in hopes to feel this way in the future.