The Japanese dragon has always been a mysterious symbol. It's sinuous flow and various forms have helped it to become one of the most recognizable designs in Japanese tattoos. You could also be able to utilize the power of the ryu in your own creations to symbolize something very important or mystical.
Rooted in History
There are actually three incarnations of the dragon: The tatsu, the ryu and the doragon. The tatsu is the most traditional among the three, being more akin to water serpents and are spirits which personify rivers and other similar bodies of water. The most famous of these dragons is the Orochi, the eight headed and eight tailed dragon which was slain to gain the Kusanagi, or the Imperial Sword of State.
The ryu is the most familiar one. It is akin to the Chinese dragon, only differing in the fact that the feet of the dragon only have three fingers as opposed to five. This is due to the fact that the dragon's feet tells of it's nationality. According to Japan's tradition, Japan, where dragons originated, makes 3 fingers, Korea makes 4 fingers and China makes 5 fingers. When you go further the dragons get too many fingers to survive. The Chinese believe in the reverse, stating that they lose fingers until they have no more. The doragon, on the other hand, is the Western incarnation.
The Present
Japan's dragons are personifications of water. This is the main difference between them and the other cultures, which tend to associate dragons with fire. Thus, all depictions are fluid, to the point of being psychedelic in effect. The dazzling colors, and the detail of the scales also add to the effect. They are commonly colored gold, black, white or blue, emphasizing the sea origin. The ultimate testament to this is the Four Dragon Kings which rule over the four seas surrounding Japan.
Therefore, these dragons still symbolize power. Water is most fitting, since it is calm and subtle and life giving, but also very threatening, deadly and merciless when in anger. The dragons are also symbols of courage but the most unlikely symbolism is one related to agriculture and fertility. This may be because these fields are so intertwined with water that they are already considered aspects of it.
A Shared Heritage
Japanese tattoos done the traditional way are called irezumi. This involves the use of bamboo flints to pierce the skin and apply the color. While the results are astounding and excellent, this takes a long time to complete, sometimes years for a small area. Thus, most have already adapted the Western practice of using machines. However, the designs are still completely Japan in flavor and motif.
Rooted in History
There are actually three incarnations of the dragon: The tatsu, the ryu and the doragon. The tatsu is the most traditional among the three, being more akin to water serpents and are spirits which personify rivers and other similar bodies of water. The most famous of these dragons is the Orochi, the eight headed and eight tailed dragon which was slain to gain the Kusanagi, or the Imperial Sword of State.
The ryu is the most familiar one. It is akin to the Chinese dragon, only differing in the fact that the feet of the dragon only have three fingers as opposed to five. This is due to the fact that the dragon's feet tells of it's nationality. According to Japan's tradition, Japan, where dragons originated, makes 3 fingers, Korea makes 4 fingers and China makes 5 fingers. When you go further the dragons get too many fingers to survive. The Chinese believe in the reverse, stating that they lose fingers until they have no more. The doragon, on the other hand, is the Western incarnation.
The Present
Japan's dragons are personifications of water. This is the main difference between them and the other cultures, which tend to associate dragons with fire. Thus, all depictions are fluid, to the point of being psychedelic in effect. The dazzling colors, and the detail of the scales also add to the effect. They are commonly colored gold, black, white or blue, emphasizing the sea origin. The ultimate testament to this is the Four Dragon Kings which rule over the four seas surrounding Japan.
Therefore, these dragons still symbolize power. Water is most fitting, since it is calm and subtle and life giving, but also very threatening, deadly and merciless when in anger. The dragons are also symbols of courage but the most unlikely symbolism is one related to agriculture and fertility. This may be because these fields are so intertwined with water that they are already considered aspects of it.
A Shared Heritage
Japanese tattoos done the traditional way are called irezumi. This involves the use of bamboo flints to pierce the skin and apply the color. While the results are astounding and excellent, this takes a long time to complete, sometimes years for a small area. Thus, most have already adapted the Western practice of using machines. However, the designs are still completely Japan in flavor and motif.
About the Author:
Learn all there is to know about Japanese tattoos specifically the Japanese Dragon Motif in our overview of the best Japanese tattoo designs. Free reprint available from: Japanese Tattoos: Using Indigenous Methods For A Globalized Motif.
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