The most well known and most popular mythical creature depicted in tattoos is the Japanese dragon. In the West we think of dragons as terrifying beasts, but in Japan the dragon symbolises wealth, good fortune, good luck, kindness, power and freedom.
The age-old enemy of the dragon is the phoenix and sometimes a bird-man creature called Karura.
Unlike some dragons, they are hornless and symbolize the scholar. These dragons can gain horns, but only after about five hundred years.
The Japanese dragon (referred to as Ryugu in Japanese mythology) has three toes whereas the Korean has four and the Chinese five. The farther the dragons went, the more toes they gained (or lost). The Koreans believe that all eastern dragons originated from Korea so that when the dragons leave Korea and go towards China they gain toes and when they go towards Japan they lose toes.
In Japanese society (as in Chinese society) dragons are depicted in paintings on temple walls and carvings. Traditionally the dragon is identified with the season of spring throughout Asia.
The Dragon King is really four dragons, and these dragons keep watch over the four main seas. Japanese dragons are of various types: there are the Tatsu dragons that are a representation of spirituality and imperial power and tend to live in lakes or springs. The Han-Riu dragon is the tallest of the dragons measuring up to almost 40 feet in length and can reach the heavens. The Ka-Riu dragon which is the smallest possesses a frightening red color. The Fuku Riu is the dragon which brings luck to people. The Hai-riyo dragon is actually a dragon which possesses a bird-like shape and is the most evolved of all the dragons.
The age-old enemy of the dragon is the phoenix and sometimes a bird-man creature called Karura.
Unlike some dragons, they are hornless and symbolize the scholar. These dragons can gain horns, but only after about five hundred years.
The Japanese dragon (referred to as Ryugu in Japanese mythology) has three toes whereas the Korean has four and the Chinese five. The farther the dragons went, the more toes they gained (or lost). The Koreans believe that all eastern dragons originated from Korea so that when the dragons leave Korea and go towards China they gain toes and when they go towards Japan they lose toes.
In Japanese society (as in Chinese society) dragons are depicted in paintings on temple walls and carvings. Traditionally the dragon is identified with the season of spring throughout Asia.
The Dragon King is really four dragons, and these dragons keep watch over the four main seas. Japanese dragons are of various types: there are the Tatsu dragons that are a representation of spirituality and imperial power and tend to live in lakes or springs. The Han-Riu dragon is the tallest of the dragons measuring up to almost 40 feet in length and can reach the heavens. The Ka-Riu dragon which is the smallest possesses a frightening red color. The Fuku Riu is the dragon which brings luck to people. The Hai-riyo dragon is actually a dragon which possesses a bird-like shape and is the most evolved of all the dragons.
