60 Tribal Dragon Tattoo Designs For Men – Ancient Mythological Ideas
There are two artistic concepts that seem truly unmatched in their manliness: tribal designs and dragons. Therefore, the peak of masculinity can finally be reached thanks to the sheer magnitude of tribal dragon tattoos.
Chivalrous gentlemen know that godly amounts of flair can be unleashed through a tribal dragon tattoo design.
These defiantly self-possessed tattoo art can propel any guy to new levels of grandeur. Thanks to their spiky contours and jagged protrusions, these ancient mythological creatures carry the vibe of distinct manliness.
The dragon is an important part of different cultures, especially Japanese and Chinese, with many different meanings attached to the type of dragon, its color, and even how many claws it has.
These stunning supernatural beasts are also revered in Celtic cultures for their capacity to control earthly forces. They also carry the torch of eternal glory.
So which dragon tattoo should you get? Here we take a look at your options for your next amazing piece of body art.
See more about - Top 101+ Best Dragon Tattoos
1. Japanese Dragon Tattoo
Before deciding where to put your , you want to know what style of you want. One of the most popular is to have a . There is an important distinction between Asian and European .
An usually doesn’t have wings; the Japanese one is particularly slender and usually has three claws. While this is true, you can see with more claws, but traditionally, they should have only three.
2. Chinese Dragon Tattoo
The is very similar in shape to its Japanese counterpart. While both have a snake-like body, there are some key differences. The most notable is that a often has a beard of flames.
While Japanese dragons usually just have three claws, Chinese dragons usually have four or five. While you want your to look great, it’s also great for it to look authentic, especially if you’re adding Japanese or Chinese symbols to it, such as yin and yang.
3. Celtic Dragon Tattoo
There is one huge difference between a and an dragons have wings. This is a feature that is never seen on an . You may also notice a difference in the tail.
In western , dragons are more associated with power and vengeance and have barbed tails. In Japanese and Chinese cultures, they are seen in a more noble light, so their features aren’t quite as aggressive as snake tails or ones made of flame.
4. Lower Arm Dragon Tattoo
A great place to get a , especially a or a , is on the lower arm. That’s because these types of are more slender and therefore are best for a narrower space.
The lower arm is a perfect place for that. That being said, there are some impressive out there that are still able to incorporate some wings. For something extra special, you can incorporate a full sleeve.
5. Shoulder Dragon Tattoo
One of the more interesting places to get is on the shoulder. As you can see, the curves of the shoulder are a perfect place on which to have a . The shoulder is also a great place for as it has a large surface area, perfect for a menacing .
Here you can give the effect of a dragon crawling on your shoulder as the rest of its body rests on your arm, back, or chest.
6. Upper Arm Dragon Tattoo
That upper arm has long been a great place for an awesome . The is no different, as the area works very well for the shape. Here you can opt to have a small at the top of your arm or something longer.
This can look fantastic when you have the at the top of your bicep with its body winding down to your elbow.
7. Calf Dragon Tattoo
Another perfect place to get a slender or a is on the calf muscle. This area suits a small on the side of the calf, or another brilliant option is to cover the whole of your bottom leg with some amazing .
While this space often works best with a wingless dragon, a great tattoo artist would be able to incorporate some wings beautifully, as we see below.
8. Back Dragon Tattoo
The wings of a couldn’t be more suited to a back . We’d recommend a Western for a back , as Asian dragons don’t have wings. That being said, you may not want to cover your full back. In that case, an could look great and you could even incorporate other elements such as yin and writings.
For the full back effect, though, having wings stretch out to each shoulder blade can be a phenomenal look, as you can see from the examples here. The wide space of your back is a unique space on your body, and that full length can be perfectly suited to a ferocious .
9. Chest Dragon Tattoo
In terms of flat spots on your body, the chest is one of the biggest, which makes it a great spot for many . Having a sitting on your pec is a very masculine look, but you do have to be wary if you have a hairy chest. You don’t want that to be hidden when your hair grows back.
10. Body Dragon Tattoo
Want the biggest, baddest, and meanest possible? If so, then there’s no better place to do it than on your torso. This is a great spot for some creative and with this blank canvas, you can go for any design that you want.
We love the snake down your side, but a full body incorporating your torso can also look amazing.
11. Neck Dragon Tattoo
One of the boldest is to have one on your neck. This is perfect for small but while the space may be limited, it makes a great canvas for a wide range of different designs. They can look great and here we can see a modern version of a but with some Asian influences. With the ear piercing, it adds up to a great look. If you want the world to see your amazing , the neck is a great option.
FAQ
Every different type of dragon tattoo can have a different meaning. For many people, tribal dragon designs are more about body art than any deep meaning. There isn’t anything wrong with getting a beautiful dragon tattoo just because it looks good.
Whether you’re choosing a Chinese dragon, Celtic dragon a Japanese dragon, or a hybrid design, they all symbolize different things. Added to that, different colors and styles can have their own meaning too. If you want something authentic, make sure to do thorough research.
The answer to that is completely dependent on the tattoo style and the tattoo artist. There is a big difference between a huge sea dragon on your back and small dragon on your calf. It’s best to talk it through with your tattoo artist beforehand.
As with the time question, this will depend on a lot of factors such as the type of tattoo design. A tribal dragon tattoo can range from simple to complicated and the costs will vary accordingly. Added to this, each tattoo studio will have its own pricing system.
Whether you are a man or a woman, dragon tattoos are always cool. You should always be yourself and if you want a combine your dragon with a rose tattoo or even dragon ball elements, go for it! Tribal tattoos are always a good call but you could also dive deep into the dragon tattoo meaning and get something personal to you.
There is a different culture meaning for black dragons depending on their style. Most see it as a symbol of vengeance, death, or evil. As you’ll most likely be using black ink anyway, you shouldn’t worry too much about it.
The red dragon can symbolize good fortune, a blue dragon is power, and a yellow dragon is wealth. Your exact tattoo meaning will vary from one culture to the next. If you want your tattoo to have a deeper meaning check this before choosing a color.
Here we have touched on the three main types which are the Chinese dragon, Celtic dragon, and Japanese dragon. If you dive a little deeper then there are several subsets of dragons that go way beyond the oriental dragon and Asian dragon tattoos.
For example, you can have a Hydra dragon which has its roots in Greek mythology. This is a water monster with multiple heads. If you wanted something more niche, then look into all the different dragons from all the world’s cultures.
