Dragon (龍/竜) Tattoo Designs

 The Chinese dragon, or Long (also spelled Loong or Lung) in Chinese, is a mythical Chinese creature that also appears in other East Asian cultures, and is also sometimes called the Oriental (or Eastern) dragon in the West. Usually depicted as a long, snake-like creature with numerous claws, it has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art. It is also the embodiment of the concept of yang and associated with the weather as the bringer of rain and water in general. Many Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the Dragon" as a sign of ethnic identity.

 The dragon is sometimes used in the West as a national emblem of China. However, this usage within both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan is extremely rare. Firstly, the dragon was the sign of the Emperor of China, and was on the national flag of the late Qing Dynasty. These monarchist connotations run counter to modern Chinese ideologies. Secondly, the dragon has aggressive, warlike connotations that the Chinese government wishes to avoid. It is for the latter reason that the giant panda is far more often used within China as a national emblem than the dragon.

 Despite this, the dragon still commands much respect in the Chinese culture. It is a taboo to disfigure a depiction of a dragon; for example, an advertisement campaign commissioned by Nike, which featured the American basketball player LeBron James slaying a dragon (as well as beating up an old Kung Fu master), was immediately censored by the Chinese government after public outcry over the disrespect of the dragon.

 A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms also feature references to the dragon, for example: "Hoping one's child will become a dragon (望子成龍, ie. be as successful and powerful as a dragon)".


Based on the article "Chinese Dragon" from Wikipedia

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