The Symbolism and Styles of Dragon Tattoos

Dragons are mythological creatures that appear in legends, fairy tales and modern fantasy stories. They are often depicted as having a lizard's torso, head and limbs, with bat wings to allow them to fly. Some types of dragon have been described as being snake-like, wingless or having multiple heads. Dragons are a popular tattoo design because this versatile creature can be worn anywhere on the body and can be inked into the skin in a variety of sizes and styles.

The Symbolism of Dragon Tattoos

The symbolism of dragon tattoos differs according to which culture the dragon belongs to. For example, ancient Mesopotamia was filled with tales of ferocious dragons that were overcome by a courageous warrior, so the Mesopotamian dragon is a symbol of evil, menace and danger. In the Chinese animal hierarchy, the Chinese dragon is the highest ranking animal; a symbol of power and majesty.
Most dragons depicted in modern fantasy novels are large reptilian creatures with armor-plated hides and fearful talons. The overall effect is a creature that is a personification of war, freedom and power. In fantasy novels, dragons are often described as being intelligent and proud.
Dragon tattoo designs are often created to have a personal meaning for the owner of the tattoo. By combining the dragon with other symbols, a highly personal meaning can be given to the tattoo.

An Ouroboros is a circular symbol that shows a serpent (snake or dragon) biting its own tail. Although it seem like a self-defeating act for a dragon to eat itself, it is actually a symbol of eternity and wholeness. The Ouroboros (also spelled Uroborus) appears in Norse mythology as Jomungandr, a sea serpent that grew so large that it encircled the Earth and swallowed its own tail. It became known as the World Serpent. [source]

This black and white dragon tattoo fits perfectly onto this guy's back, with each wing spread out towards his shoulder blades. The design includes symbols of violence an evil: the tattooed wings have sharp points and the dragon is growling with knife-like teeth. This dragon tattoo has elements of Gothic fantasy and is likely a display of the tattoo owner's interest in these genres. [source]

A cute cartoon tattoo of a baby dragon. The tattoo designer has combined a number of symbols in this unusual tattoo design. Because the dragon is a baby, it is a symbol of future potential. The cuteness of the tattoo design symbolizes innocence and fun, and yet because the tattoo design shows a dragon, it is a symbol of power and potential violence. [source]

Chinese dragon tattoos symbolize power, majesty and grace and are often inked as a large back tattoo. Chinese dragon tattoo designs usually have whiskers and facial hair.The design generally includes a variety of organic shapes and curves, making it an ideal tattoo subject as the design compliments the natural curves of the body. [source]

How to Choose a Dragon Tattoo Design

Because tattoos are forever, you should choose your tattoo design carefully. It is also wise to go to a tattoo artist who has years of experience and is known for producing high quality work. Although you can choose a dragon tattoo design from a book or by searching online, it is often best to ask the tattoo artist to design a dragon tattoo specifically for you. That way, your tattoo will be unique to you and the design can incorporate symbols, names or phrases that have a personal meaning to you.

If you are wanting a colorful, detailed dragon tattoo, it is best to have it inked quite large, so that the dragon is visible and easy to discern. If you would prefer a small dragon tattoo, consider a design that uses a celtic or tribal style. These tattoo styles are clear and crisp so a small dragon tattoo won't seem like a blob of ink on the skin. 

This tattoo design combines a Celtic knot and a dragon, creating an attractive tattoo that uses elements from ancient European mythology and modern fantasy. Tattoos like this one can be used as a way to celebrate a person's family heritage and ancestors. [source]

A tattoo of the Welsh dragon that appears on the flag of Wales. In this tattoo design, the dragon has climbed down from the flags in the background and instead stands in front of the flags and the feathered crown that stand in the background. A tattoo like this symbolizes patriotism, loyalty and strength. The red Welsh dragon is believed to have been the heraldic symbol of King Arthur and other Celtic kings, appearing on their flags in a similar form as the dragon above. [source]

A tribal dragon tattoo that shows three dragon heads joined at the neck in an intricate knot. The clean lines of tribal tattoo designs mean that they can easily be seen from far away, and can be tattooed at much smaller sizes than highly detailed color tattoos. [source]

This cute tattoo design shows a pretty dragon with colorful butterfly wings. Although the colors of the body contrast nicely with the colors on the wings, the pose of the dragons body doesn't create a clear silhouette. Butterflies usually represent femininity, whilst dragons symbolize masculinity. This dragon butterfly tattoo design is an interesting combination of male and female aspects. [source]

This upper back tattoo uses only the dragon's wings as the tattoo design. The result makes it seems as though the tattoo owner is sprouting dragon wings. [source]

Read More on Art-Sci:

10 Internet Meme Tattoos

Banksy Tattoos Combine Graffiti with Body Art

Ernst Haeckel Draws a Psychedelic World

Fantastically Funny Photoshop Image Manipulations

Incredible Tattoo Designs

Music Recycled into Art

UV Tattoos that are Invisible in Daylight

UV tattoos are invisible in daylight, only appearing when exposed to UV light, also known as black light. They are also called invisible tattoos, black light tattoos and glow tattoos.

How Invisible Tattoos are Made
UV tattoos are made using inks that are sensitive to ultraviolet light (black light). For a few days after the tattoo is made a small amount of scarring from the tattoo machine that shows where the tattoo is. Over time, the scars heal and the tattoo becomes invisible in daylight, glowing only under a UV or black light.

Above: This picture shows a recently finished UV tattoo. The ink is invisible, but the scarring from the tattoo machine has not yet healed.

UV tattoos are inked into the skin in exactly the same way that regular tattoos are. The only difference between a black light tattoo and a normal tattoo is the ink used. 

Above: UV tattoos are invisible in daylight, appearing only under UV light. Once the scarring from the tattoo machine has healed, the tattoo can’t be seen during the day.

Some color UV inks can be faintly visible in daylight, so white UV ink is the most reliable for use in invisible tattoos. In general, color UV tattoo ink is reserved for use with normal tattoo ink to highlight parts of the tattoo design. When used on its own, color UV ink can age to look like a skin problem or stain on the skin.

Above: A clever UV tattoo of the bone structure beneath the skin of the hand and arm. Biological tattoos such as this one, where the bone is "exposed", are an excellent use of white UV ink.

Above: An invisible tattoo of a jellyfish. In the wild, some jellyfish pulsate with a soft, glowing light, a natural phenomenon that is symbolized in this tattoo design.

Above: A tribal UV tattoo design on the hand. Because the skin becomes even darker under a black light, UV tattoos seem to be glowing even more than they actually are.

Above: This black light tattoo design shows a collage of glowing skulls. The artist has created depth in the design by shading with the UV ink. The darkest areas are simply places where the tattoo artist didn't apply ink.

Above: A koi fish tattoo design, in UV ink. The koi fish is a popular tattoo design that symbolizes beauty, wealth, elegance and freedom. The artist has outlined the tattoo with thick bands of UV ink to create contrast along the edges - defining the silhouette.

UV Tattoo Inks

There are a number of different colors of UV tattoo inks which can be used to highlight a regular tattoo, or, in the case of white UV tattoo ink, to create an invisible tattoo. Black light tattoo ink can turn yellow over time, revealing the tattoo design on the skin, which is why it is best to use UV tattoo ink as part of a normal tattoo.

Above: A selection of UV inks, displayed under a black light to show the glow effect of the ink. Some inks glow better than others; the purple ink, fourth from the left, doesn't shine as brightly as the white UV ink on the far left.

UV Tattoos Combined with Regular Tattoos

UV tattoo inks can be used to compliment regular tattoo inks, so that the tattoo art is visible both during daylight and under a UV light. Because regular tattoo ink doesn't glow under UV light, tattoo artists can create a greater depth of shading in black light tattoos by creating dark shades with normal tattoo ink, and highlights with UV ink. During the day, the UV ink highlights will simply be the color of the person's skin or of the regular tattoo ink beneath.

Above: Black ink has been used in this tattoo design to create strong outlines and contrast. The color UV inks add interest to the design by glowing under a black light.

Above: Color UV ink has been used to highlight only part of this tattoo design. The skulls have been inked into the skin with normal tattoo ink, while the flames have been colored with both normal and UV inks. Under a UV light, the flames glow, making the skulls seem more evil in their darkness.

Above: This tattoo artist has used UV ink to highlight the skulls in the design. Non-glowing elements in front of the skulls create the impression that the skulls glow with a magical, eerie light of their own.

UV Face Tattoos

Many people have chosen to have UV tattoos inked onto their face and hands, as the tattoos are invisible during the day when they are working. Over time, however, these tattoos will likely become slightly visible as the ink ages and turns yellow after being exposed to daylight. Thank goodness for tattoo removal procedures!

Above: A pattern of stars and dots adorn this girl's forehead in this face tattoo design. The tattoo design is created using white UV ink that will appear invisible unless under a black light. UV tattoos, especially those on the face, need to be protected from sunlight to prevent the ink from taking on a yellow hue that will ruin the "invisible" tattoo.

Above: UV tattoo ink has been used to create designs beside this girl's eyes. The patterns will only glow when exposed to a UV or black light, making it the perfect party make-up; invisible at work but  glowing at a party.

Read More on Art-Sci:
 10 Internet Meme Tattoos
 10 Postmodern Appearances of The Mona Lisa 

 Celebrity Optical Illusions
 Funny Photoshop Head Swaps
 Incredible Tattoo Designs

 Spiderman Epidemic: Mutant Spidey Kids Appearing Globally