| Hot Japense Dragon Tattoo Ideas And History |
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| Written by Sara Smith |
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Japanese tattoos are a great choice for a tattoo design. They are one of the most magnificent of all of the mythical beats. The power and elegance of these beautiful mythical beasts warrant the great attention that is paid to them in the world of tattoos. The Japanese have a long tradition of tattooing and that combined with the dragon as a design is one of the best tattoos available. If you are thinking about getting such a tattoo then it can be helpful to learn about some of the symbolism, history and gather ideas about the design before you get your tattoo. Japanese Dragon Tattoo Possibilities There are really an endless number of possibilities when considering getting a dragon tattoo design. The size, style and location of the dragon can greatly change and enhance the symbolism behind the design. For example a dragon with fiery red eyes wrapped around a large sword might represent strength and power. Yet on the opposite end of the spectrum one depicted flying high in the clouds above a lake or the mountains might be a symbol for peace and freedom. What your dragon will symbolize is really dependent on the design and style you choose to give the dragon. The History Of The Dragon In Japan Dragons are a fundamental mythical animal or beast tot he Japanese people. In the Japanese language dragons are referred to as "Ryu" or often "Tatsu". They of course are large yet slender serpent looking creatures. Often they live around large bodies of water such as the ocean of a big lake. They are well respected as a creature that has tremendous power and therefore the Japanese believe that the very first emperor of Japan had descended from a dragon and therefore is partially god himself. The dragon is not only popular in Japan but throughout all of Asia including China, Korea and numerous other Asian countries. You can find dragon designs throughout the sculpture, architecture and art in Japan even to this day the dragon is still a very popular design. One can see the long history and importance role that dragons play in the prevalent use of dragons throughout Japan. Today it is very common to see dragon sculptures at alters, temples and other places of worship. Miyajima is probably one of the most famous temples dedicated to the dragon. Miyajima means The Isle Of The Temple and is a popular place for religious pilgrimage, tourists and travelers to come and pray to the dragon god for good luck and good fortune. Another famous spot can be found at the Sonsoji Temple in Asakusa Japan. At the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa Japan every spring is a very special time of year. It is rumored that way back in 628 AD two brothers were fishing along the Sumida river. During their fishing trip they discovered a beautiful statue of Kanon the Goddess of Mercy. At the time they made this discovery a gold dragon flew out of the Sumida river and up into the sky as a way to mark such an important event and such a big finding. Thus every spring the dragon in taken out oft he Sesoji temple and then paraded around the temple grounds. In both Buddhist and Taoist religious traditions the dragon is seen to also represent the hardships that a spiritual pilgrim will have to face in their journey towards enlightenment. Not only can the dragon be found in the sculptural and architectural works done by the Japanese but it can also be found in the literary works. For example there is the famous story os an eight headed serpent like that eats young women whole. Susanoo (the hero) is able to trick the serpent. He offers the serpent some sake to drink and then proceeds to get the serpent drunk. He then slays the evil eight headed beast, Yamata-No-Orochi. It is pretty easy to see that dragons are prevalent throughout Japanese culture. You can see statues, architecture and temples all dedicated to the dragon. Tattoo designs are no different and there are thousands of wonderful looking dragon tattoo designs. In terms of location one of the most common places is to get a dragon tattoo on your back. The back makes a great place for a very large tattoo with a lot detail. However if you are not ready or willing to get such a large and detailed tattoo then there are also options for you. Many people today get dragon designs on their shoulder, calf area and a sleeve tattoo design. About The Author: Also you go out and get a Japanese Dragon Tattoo Design then you will want to check out this hot information site full of information. You might also like this site on Free Star Tattoo Designs Kindly provided by 4Girls.dk You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include this link. |