| It is believed that the mythical creature developed | | | | of the dragon because when the first Emperor |
| its appearance from the totem poles of many | | | | Huang Di died, (considered by the Chinese as their |
| different tribes in China. As the tribes merged, the | | | | ancestor) legend has it that he turned into a |
| different attributes of the dragon's appearance | | | | dragon and rose to heaven. This lead to the |
| took shape. The Chinese dragon is believed to | | | | Chinese dragon becoming a symbol of imperial |
| have evolved over time to incorporate the | | | | authority and power. The five toed Chinese |
| features of 9 animals to become the mythical | | | | dragon was reserved for the emperor alone. |
| creature it is today. These features include the: | | | | Peasants wearing such a symbol would be put to |
| - Horns of a deer | | | | death. |
| - Head of a camel | | | | These creatures have 117 scales, 81 of these |
| - Eyes of a demon | | | | scales are yang (positive) and 36 are yin |
| - Neck of a snake | | | | (negative), so the dragon is yang creature. |
| - Stomach of a clam | | | | The legend states that dragons originated in China |
| - Scales of a carp fish | | | | and spread throughout the region, getting as far |
| - Claws of an eagle | | | | as Japan. The Chinese dragons have five toes, |
| - Soles of a tiger | | | | the Korean dragons have four toes and as you |
| - Ears of a cow | | | | get further away, such as Japan, the dragons |
| Combine these features together and you have | | | | have three toes. It was not possible for dragons |
| the Chinese Dragon, a very popular tattoo design | | | | to go any further than Japan and lose any more |
| over the ages and evermore so now. It is | | | | toes. |
| common for many oriental pictures of the | | | | They are believed to have a controlling force |
| Chinese dragon to show a pearl or thunder-ball | | | | over water, such as seas, rivers waterfalls and |
| under its chin - representing good luck and | | | | the like. Water spouts are associated with |
| wisdom. Some pictures also show Chinese | | | | dragons rising. When droughts or floods occur, it |
| dragons with bat wings, although dragons are able | | | | was common for sacrifices to be offered to the |
| to fly without wings. | | | | dragons to appease them. Legend has it that |
| Chinese Dragon Tattoo Meanings | | | | dragons have the ability to burst clouds and bring |
| This tattoo design is centuries old which adds to | | | | down the rain. If they are angry, they can cause |
| its appeal and mystic. It is a symbol of mystery | | | | floods. |
| and power, wisdom and good will. These dragons | | | | The beauty of the design, combined with the |
| are considered good luck and are linked heavily | | | | stunning red, black and green colors make the |
| with the number nine, as there are nine sections | | | | Chinese Dragon tattoo design very popular. Did |
| to the dragon. Qualities include loyalty courage and | | | | you know that one out of every five people |
| strength. | | | | regret their tattoo design, according to a recent |
| The Chinese Dragon is a divine mythical creature | | | | Harris Poll. If you are thinking of getting a tattoo, |
| that warded off bad spirits. They have a strong | | | | don't make these common mistakes - with this |
| link with authority in China. The Chinese proclaim | | | | free tattoo guide and a review of the top online |
| themselves "Long De Chuan Ren" or descendents | | | | tattoo galleries. |