| Chinese dragon is a mythical divine beast | | | | meaning" of the word that you select. Well, that's |
| originated from ancient Chinese folklores. It is now | | | | just the tricky thing of Chinese. |
| commonly depicted as a huge, serpentine, and | | | | Fortunately, there are many Chinese phrases that |
| scaled creature. Unlike "western dragon" that has | | | | associate with the idea of Chinese dragon. |
| been described as evil, Chinese dragon has long | | | | Followings are three dragon-related Chinese idioms |
| been symbolized as the power of auspice both in | | | | for your reference. |
| folklore and art. Created on the land of an | | | | Shen Long Ma Zhuang/ Long Shen Ma |
| agriculture-oriented country, Chinese dragon is | | | | Zhuangstrong and energetic with an impressive |
| believed to bring rain and water, which well | | | | bearing. |
| explains the position it takes in Chinese culture. | | | | Both Shen Long Ma Zhuang and Long Shen Ma |
| For centuries, Chinese people proudly refer to | | | | Zhuang are legitimate as an idiom, as in many |
| themselves as "Long De Chuan Ren", or | | | | cases Chinese characters can be reversed in |
| "Descendants of the Dragon". This ethnic identity | | | | words yet remain a similar meaning, just like this |
| is believed to originate from Huang Di, a | | | | one. |
| benevolent, legendary emperor who was said to | | | | Literally speaking, Shen means "magical, with |
| have been immortalized into a dragon. Since | | | | divine power", Long means "dragon", Ma means |
| Huang Di is considered to be the ancestor of | | | | "horse" and Zhuang means "strong". In Chinese |
| Chinese, hence the saying "Descendants of the | | | | culture, horse is considered intelligent, powerful |
| Dragon". | | | | and friendly to human, which therefore is used |
| Due to that Huang Di myth, Chinese dragon is | | | | together with dragon in this idiom to describe the |
| also symbolized as an imperial power. For | | | | state of being strong and energetic. |
| dynasties, emperors were referred to as "Long | | | | By the way, Shen would be quite a nice character |
| Zi" or "offspring of the dragon", who wore | | | | to ink alone, which could also mean "Almighty". |
| imperial robes with dragons drawn on and claimed | | | | Ru Long Si Hu: valiant and energetic |
| to have a dragon birthmark as a divine | | | | Both Ru and Si means "like" in Chinese, so this |
| authorization by heaven. | | | | idiom literally means "like a dragon like a tiger". |
| Chinese dragon is also among the 12 animals of | | | | Traditionally, Hu(tiger) and Long(dragon) are used |
| the Chinese zodiac, a special Chinese way of | | | | together in phrases, idioms, and sayings to display |
| designating years. To be more specific, year | | | | a status of being strong, in power, and dominant. |
| 2000,1988,1976,1964,1952 or any year with a | | | | Needless to say, this idiom would be definitely fit |
| 12-year gap between would be year of the | | | | for males since it's full of strength and masculinity. |
| dragon. In order to be "like a dragon", there are | | | | What's worth noting, however, is that Long usually |
| more babies born in the years of dragon than in | | | | appears before Hu in expression, and it would |
| any other animal years of the Chinese Zodiac. | | | | seem weird when reversed. That being said, it |
| Given all the foresaid reasons, it is not hard to | | | | would be a great idea to add Hu to your tattoo if |
| understand why Chinese dragon is so popular | | | | your former choice was to ink Long alone, yet |
| among tattoo lovers. In fact, if you happen to be | | | | the right way to do this would be to ink "Long |
| born in those dragon years, it's much | | | | Hu", not "Hu Long". |
| recommended that you get a dragon tattoo | | | | Huo Long Xian Jian: strong and vigorous |
| because you are born blessed to be connected | | | | Literally speaking, Huo means "alive", Long means |
| with Chinese dragon. | | | | "dragon", Xian means "fresh", and Jian means |
| Basically, Chinese dragon is being tattooed in two | | | | "healthy". When combined together, they form a |
| forms: picture and character. Some prefer to | | | | unique Chinese idiom, one with a new and |
| have their whole back area tattooed with a vivid | | | | congruent meaning. Great literal meaning, great |
| picture of dragon, while others may be satisfied | | | | actual meaning, and great cultural meaning, this |
| with the Chinese character of "dragon" tattooed | | | | one is definitely fit for tattooing. |
| within a one-inch square of area. For dragon | | | | These dragon-related Chinese idioms are the |
| picture tattoos, a careful selection of the picture | | | | literary and cultural embodiment of dragon and |
| as well as the tattoo artist would be enough to | | | | they truly live up to the standards of a unique |
| ensure a quality dragon tattoo. For dragon | | | | and smart Chinese tattoo. It will be so amazing if |
| character tattoos, however, it takes efforts to | | | | you find one that best fits your personality. A |
| find a great tattoo idea, since you have to take | | | | Chinese tattoo dragon can be much more than an |
| many factors into consideration, including the literal | | | | ink, but a special identity that helps you stand out |
| meaning, the "actual" meaning, and the "cultural | | | | of the crowd. |