80 dragon tattoo ideas inspired by everything from folklore tales to Game of Thrones

by John Griffith
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Nowadays there is such a vast variety of different tattoo ideas. You have so many options to choose from. And, although, there are some new trends, which are taking the world by storm, there are a few, which have more than held their own in the history of tattoo trends. One of these styles is the dragon tattoo. Worn by both men and women, it is a beautiful addition to your body art. The good thing about dragon tattoos is that they can be done in many different ways. Scary, cute, cartoonish – different dragons have different meanings. Today, we are going to show you 80 examples of beautiful dragon tattoos you can recreate. We are also going to discuss their meaning and symbolism.

Gorgeous dragon tattoo

dragon tattoo, drogon from game of thrones, inside arm tattoo, woman wearing jeans and white t shirtTo Gallery

The history of dragons:

Dragons are serpent-like, giant creatures, found in the folklore of different cultures around the world. In Western cultures dragons are most often depicted as giant, winged, four-legged, fire breathing creatures. On the other hand, in Eastern cultures, dragons are wingless, snake-like creatures. Dragons often appear in folklore tales, myths and legends. In Western culture they are most often an obstacle, which needs to be overcome in order for the hero to achieve his goal. They often live in caves, protecting a treasure. One of the most well-known religious tales is that of Saint George slaying the dragon. It is often painted on church walls and icons. In modern literature, they can be found in some of the most famous books, such as J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”, J.K Rowling’s “Harry Potter” and George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire”.

Dragons have a long history in the folklore of different cultures

flying dragon, back of leg tattoo, dragon tattoo, grey backgroundTo Gallery

What does a dragon symbolize?

Depending on the culture, dragons are a symbol for different things. In Europe, for example, dragons are a symbol of an obstacle one needs to overcome. While in Asia, dragons are a symbol of wisdom, supernatural power, strength and hidden knowledge. Here are some examples of different dragons and their meanings:

  • Chinese dragons symbolize strength and power.
  • Horned dragons are considered the strongest of their kind.
  • Coiling dragons are the ones, which live in the ocean.
  • Spiritual dragons are in control of the wind and rain.
  • Yellow dragons are the ones with most wisdom.

Breathtaking dragon tattoo covering the whole back

large back tattoo, on woman with blonde hair, dragon tattoo, black backgroundTo Gallery

To sum up, dragon tattoos are often chosen for the variety in styles and meanings. What’s more, they look just as good in black ink, as they do colored. Moreover, whether big or small, their shape is so versatile, they are appropriate for any body part. In conclusion, you will not make a mistake if you decide to get a beautiful dragon tattoo.

Incredible black watercolor dragon

watercolor drawing of a flying dragon, on white background, dragon tattooTo Gallery

Scary coiled Chinese dragon

black and white pencil sketch, of a large dragon flying in the air, dragon tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

This one is absolutely beautiful

white and blue dragon with red shadows, forearm tattoo, red dragon tattoo, woman with pink nail polishTo Gallery

And here is a sketch you can try and recreate on your body

wooden table, black and white pencil sketch on it, red dragon tattoo, scary large dragon drawingTo Gallery

Elegant red dragon with a peony flower for accessory

red dragon tattoo, with a peony flower next to it, ankle tattoo, woman wearing white sneakersTo Gallery

Simple and elegant

hand leaning on pink paper, woman wearing beige sweater, forearm tattoo, red dragon tattooTo Gallery

Watercolor dragon tattoo of the highest calibre

watercolor dragon tattoo with pink blossoming flowers, shoulder tattoo, red dragon tattoo, woman wearing white topTo Gallery

Ouroboros are associated with snakes, but they are just as interesting with dragons and in watercolor

ouroboros watercolor dragon, forearm tattoo, chinese dragon tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

Dreamcatcher and dragon – two of the biggest tattoo trends gathered into one

black background, chinese dragon tattoo, large dragon, hanging over dreamcatcher, black and white drawingTo Gallery

blue watercolor dragon flying, forearm tattoo, chinese dragon tattoo, black backgroundTo Gallery

large dragon on the leg, woman wearing silver open toe heels with blue feathers, chinese dragon tattooTo Gallery

woman wearing jeans and black velvet top, chinese dragon tattoo, flying dragon rib cage tattooTo Gallery

Beautiful tattoo on the back

dragon tattoo meaning, dragon flying towards the moon, back tattoo, woman wearing green topTo Gallery

white brick wall, woman wearing white top and black skirt, large dragon forearm tattoo, dragon tattoo meaningTo Gallery

side thigh tattoo, viserion from game of thrones, dragon tattoo meaning, woman wearing black dress, white backgroundTo Gallery

three dragons flying, drogon viserion and rheagal from game of thrones, shoulder tattoo, dragon tattoo meaningTo Gallery

How to Train Your Dragon became one of the most successful animated films, which is why Toothless can often be found in tattoos

toothless climbing a wall, dragon tattoo meaning, black and red back of leg tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

 

Watercolor designs are truly spectacular

watercolor baby toothless tattoo, thigh tattoo, japanese dragon tattoo, leg leaning on black leather chairTo Gallery

galaxy watercolor dragon, back of leg tattoo, japanese dragon tattoo, leg leaning on black leather chairTo Gallery

back of shoulder tattoo, japanese dragon tattoo, large watercolor dragonTo Gallery

dragon intertwined with blossoming tree branches, japanese dragon tattoo, back tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

black and white pencil sketch, dragon back tattoo, white background, scary dragonTo Gallery

large dragon intertwined with roses, holding a skull, black and white pencil sketch, dragon back tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

black and white pencil sketch, dragon sitting on a rock, dragon back tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

Daenerys Targaryen, Drogon, Viserion and Rheagal – the Game of Thrones characters, whose faces are found on people’s bodies very often

daenerys targaryen with drogon, viserion and rheagal, game of thrones characters, dragon back tattoo, thigh tattooTo Gallery

Here is a gorgeous sketch of Daenerys Targaryen with Drogon, Viserion and Rheagal as babies you can use as tattoo

daenerys targaryen with baby drogon, viserion and rheagal, dragon back tattoo, black and white pencil sketchTo Gallery

japanese tattoo meanings, small baby dragon, in pink blue and yellow, ankle tattoo, yellow hornsTo Gallery

dragon holding flowers, inside arm tattoo, japanese tattoo meanings, grey backgroundTo Gallery

three flying dragons, forearm tattoo, game of thrones characters, japanese tattoo meanings, drogon viserion and rheagalTo Gallery

blue dragon viserion flying, game of thrones character, japanese tattoo meanings, white backgroundTo Gallery

dragon looking at the moon, peony flower, japanese tattoo meanings, woman with purple glitter nail polish, leg tattooTo Gallery

baby dragon with peony flowers, black and white pencil sketch, small dragon tattoos, white backgroundTo Gallery

dragon holding the moon, in the colors of the rainbow, small dragon tattoos, white backgroundTo Gallery

The fight between the dragon and the phoenix

dragon fighting a phoenix, small dragon tattoos, black and white pencil sketch, white backgroundTo Gallery

ankle tattoo, woman wearing white socks, white bed linen, small dragon tattoosTo Gallery

wrist tattoo, black and white photo, small dragon tattoos, white backgroundTo Gallery

flying dragon, drogon from game of thrones tattoo, dragon arm tattoo, black and white photoTo Gallery

woman wearing black and white shirt, black pants, dragon arm tattoo, black background with graffitiTo Gallery

forearm tattoo, dragon arm tattoo, blue dragon, hands leaning on white bed linenTo Gallery

dragon arm tattoo, flying dragon, drogon from game of thrones, collarbone tattoo, woman with blonde hair, wearing black topTo Gallery

The tattoo from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo became one of the most famous designs after the success of the film

the girl with the dragon tattoo, dragon arm tattoo, black and white pencil sketch, white backgroundTo Gallery

black and white photo, dragon sleeve tattoo, wrist tattoo, hand with los of rings on it, white backgroundTo Gallery

watercolor dragon tattoo, dragon sleeve tattoo, on the side of the leg, leaning on white paperTo Gallery

large back tattoo, on woman with black hair, wearing black tulle dress, dragon sleeve tattoo, sunset in the backgroundTo Gallery

large back tattoo, drogon from game of thrones, dragon sleeve tattoo, woman with black hairTo Gallery

Matching dragon tattoos

flying dragons, matching inside arm tattoos, dragon sleeve tattooTo Gallery

minimalist dragon tattoo design, black and white pencil sketch, what does a dragon symbolize, white backgroundTo Gallery

Dragon ouroboros

ouroboros dragon tattoo, what does a dragon symbolize, inside arm tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

small baby dragon, leaning on a rainbow, what does a dragon symbolize, colored tattooTo Gallery

large red dragon, leg and ankle tattoo, what does a dragon symbolize, leg leaning on black leather chair, on wooden floorTo Gallery

Another version of Drogon, Viserion and Rheagal

three dragons flying, drogon viserion and rheagal from game of thrones, what does a dragon symbolize, inside arm tattooTo Gallery

shoulder tattoo, dragon tattoos for women, woman with blonde hair, black and white sweater, black strapTo Gallery

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Amazing dragon sleeve tattoo

woman wearing red crop top and black pants, large sleeve tattoo of a dragon, dragon tattoos for women, black hairTo Gallery

Small dragon tattoos

small blue dragon flying, forearm tattoo, dragon tattoos for women, blurred backgroundTo Gallery

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two flying dragons, wrist tattoo, dragon forearm tattoo, black and white photoTo Gallery

Gorgeous design idea for a tattoo

two dragons looking at each other, colored sketch, dragon forearm tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

drogon viserion and rheagal from game of thrones, forearm tattoo, dragon forearm tattoo, black leather stoolTo Gallery

black dragon, black and white pencil sketch, dragon forearm tattoo, white backgroundTo Gallery

wrist tattoo, woman with red nail polish, dragon tattoo design, white backgroundTo Gallery

Geometric dragon thigh tattoo design

geometrical dragon, side thigh tattoo, dragon tattoo design, black and white photo, woman wearing black shortsTo Gallery

Yin-Yang

yin and yang, two dragons intertwined, dragon tattoo design, black and white pencil sketch, white backgroundTo Gallery

mandala dragon tattoo in blue and white, pencil sketch, dragon tattoo design, white backgroundTo Gallery

leg tattoo, woman with grey nail polish, dragon tattoo design, white tiled floorTo Gallery

dragon thigh tattoo, large back tattoo, on woman sitting in bathtub, with black hair in a messy bunTo Gallery

large back tattoo, dragon thigh tattoo, woman wearing blue velvet onesie, with open back, sitting on a bedTo Gallery

Girl petting a dragon – beautiful shoulder tattoo design

woman wearing denim crop top, arm tattoo, dragon thigh tattoo, girl petting a dragon, white backgroundTo Gallery

back of arm tattoo, woman wearing grey top, dragon thigh tattooTo Gallery

woman wearing black pants, open back denim top, dragon thigh tattoo, back tattoo, black hair, lots of plants in the backgroundTo Gallery

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woman with black braids, neck tattoo, dragon tattoo ideas, red dragonTo Gallery

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back tattoo, woman with short brown hair, dragon tattoo ideas, white backgroundTo Gallery

woman wearing white crop top, dragon tattoo ideas, shoulder tattoo, dragon intertwined with snakeTo Gallery

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.

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