Dragon (Ryu)

Japanese Dragon Tattoo by Marco

Meaning: Wisdom, Strength, Force for Good

There is perhaps no other tattoo design more associated with Japanese Irezumi than the Dragon. In Japanese traditional tattoo art and culture dragons are generous, benevolent forces that use their strength to do good for mankind. This is considered to be true even if their actions are sometimes destructive and chaotic, it is believed that ultimately it will be in the end for the better. These positive connotations have made dragon tattoos among the most popular of the Japanese tattoo style.

They are most often serpent like with four legs and three claws on each foot though they can also have wings similar to the western dragon. They typically will also have flames which emanate from where their legs meet their body. They have belly scales like a snake and barbed spines running the length of their bodies. They are often also seen holding orbs which are believed to be pearls of wisdom.

Attributes are: Wind and Water

There are four dragon types: The celestial dragon- guardian of the dwelling place of the gods, The spiritual dragon- producer of rain, The earth dragon- cuts out river courses, The treasure dragon- which guards earthly treasures.

They can come in several colors and gradients on those colors including; black, red, gold, blue and green.