| According to the Webster-Merriam Dictionary, the | | | | pair of wings. While the dragons are thought of as |
| word dragon is Middle English, from Anglo-French | | | | calculating and thoughtful monsters, they have |
| dragun, from Latin dracon. | | | | also been viewed as mindless beasts. We think of |
| The definition of dragon is: | | | | dragons as having talons, fangs, breathing fire, |
| · A mythical animal usually represented as a | | | | scaly skins, and red eyes in our drawings and |
| monstrous winged and scaly serpent with a | | | | paintings. The Western Dragons were also known |
| crested head and enormous claws. | | | | to have huge hoards of gold and jewels hidden in |
| · Or someone who is formidable | | | | their lairs. |
| The many depictions of dragons are incredibly | | | | Early Christianity condemned the ancient, |
| diverse and complex. No other creature in | | | | benevolent and malevolent serpent deities. As a |
| mythology has appeared in so many cultures | | | | matter of fact, in Christian art, the dragon is a |
| from such remote parts of the world! | | | | symbol of the pagan religion and was often drawn |
| Many of us think of dragons as a terrifying beast. | | | | as overpowered by the spirit of the holy figures |
| However, the Eastern dragons are portrayed as | | | | of Christianity. |
| good, kind, ancient and intelligent. The Asian | | | | The Vikings had figures of dragons on the prow |
| Dragons have the most recorded history in the | | | | of their boats. The dragons on the ships were |
| world, especially in China going back thousands of | | | | believed to bestow sharp eyesight and craftiness |
| years. | | | | to the Viking warriors. The Welsh flag has a red |
| The Difference between the Eastern Dragons: | | | | dragon on it and the dragon is their national |
| Chinese dragons have all five toes. The Chinese | | | | symbol. |
| believe that all dragons began from China. They | | | | Why are Dragon Tattoos so popular today? |
| believed that as the dragons flew south, they | | | | Dragons are a classic choice for a tattoo design |
| began to lose their toes. The farther the dragons | | | | and they are one of the more popular |
| flew, the more toes they lost. So, Korean | | | | mythological creatures picked for inking. |
| dragons have four toes, and Japanese dragons | | | | Dragons are depicted as powerful, wise and free. |
| have three. | | | | Their legend is always cloaked in magic and |
| Korean dragons have four toes. The Koreans | | | | mythical realm. They come from the tops of |
| believe that when the dragons leave Korea and | | | | sacred Japanese mountains and the bottom of |
| go north to China, they begin to gain toes. When | | | | the deepest seas around Greece. |
| the dragons leave Korea and go north to Japan, | | | | Dragons have been drawn in a wide variety of |
| they begin to lose toes. | | | | forms because of their popular appeal. Today's |
| Japanese dragons have three toes. The Japanese | | | | tattoo designers have taken the art of the |
| though all dragons originated from Japan. They | | | | dragon to amazing new levels. Whether you want |
| also believed that when the dragons leave Japan | | | | a traditional dragon tattoo or one with a |
| and head north, they gain toes. The farther the | | | | cutting-edge, modern look you will find an |
| dragons went, the more toes they gained. This is | | | | incredible gallery of amazing images to choose |
| why the other dragons have more toes. The | | | | from. |
| Japanese believed the breath of dragons could | | | | Tattoo artists have paid extra attention to |
| turn into clouds, which could produce rain. | | | | creating images of dragons because they look |
| But here's the kicker, unlike most types of | | | | great on the skin. They can be in color, or black |
| dragon, most of the Eastern Dragons have no | | | | & white. Dragon tattoos can wrap around the |
| wings! | | | | body and flatter the contours of the body. |
| The Western Dragon | | | | Dragon tattoos can be designed as tribal, Celtic or |
| The Western dragons or medieval dragons have | | | | jade designs. The dragon tattoo may appear with |
| a more ferocious and primitive appearance. They | | | | wings or fire breathing or not. |
| often look like giant lizards with long tails and a | | | | |