Flower Tattoo Designs - The Most Stylish Japanese Art

Flower Tattoos are more popular than any other Japanese tattoo. It's not just art; flower tattoos reflect a mood or personality or certain association with nature. Of all the forms of Japanese tribal tattoo art, these are the most beautiful and convey an ever lasting impression to their near and dear ones.

Flower tattoos carry a sense of femininity and thus they are exclusively adored by women population. Most of the Hollywood celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Pamela Anderson, Cher, Salma Hayek, Shakira, Britney Spears, Anna Kournikova etc prefer Japanese flower tattoo art.

It may be due to their color, shape and aroma; Flower Tattoos are very much symbolic and thus carry a strong sentiment of feminism. Depending upon your taste and flavor, you can pick one or more of the different varieties of flower designs. Of all the flower art tattoo, Hawaiian, lotus, hibiscus, lily, tropical tattoo designs are widely popular.

These flower tattoo designs simply mark a stylish image for you. Gone are the days when the tattoos were adored only by princess and queens. But it has become more fashionable now. They are flaunted by rock stars, cinema celebrities, fashion models, sports icons, and college going girls and even by teens. All in one, the flower tattoo art symbolizes love, pure heart, innocence, beauty, passion and many more.

You won't get disappointed. There are so many flowers and thus so many designs as per your taste. Go ahead and start an exclusive colorful collection of Flower Tattoo Designs.

Japanese Dragon Tattoo Designs and Meaning

The Japanese Dragon Tattoo is a very beautiful and colorful tattoo design and very symbolic, with its origins in myths and folklore. It is also very mystical, adding to the appeal of the Japanese dragon tattoo. Over the ages, from Egyptian times the dragon has represented good and also represented evil. However, the attraction of the Japanese dragon, apart from its stunning beauty is that it represents good luck and the source of wealth. The Japanese dragon also represents the meaning of freedom and being fearless, both very attractive qualities.

In the Greek language, dragon is sourced from draca, which means serpent.

Like the angel, the Japanese Dragon also has the meaning of guardianship, providing a protective force over those it was associated with. Other meanings associated with the Japanese dragon is strength and power. In Japanese culture the dragon is associated with supernatural powers, and amazing wisdom.

There are six forms of the Japanese Dragon. They are:

Sui-Riu is the king Dragon and is in control of the rain. Therefore in this day and age of drought he is all powerful!

Han-Riu has many stripes on his body and is up to forty feet in length. One of the biggest dragons.

Ri-Riu dragon is a rare breed that is not well understood. However, it is known that they have amazing eye sight.

Ka-Riu is a brilliant red color, and a petite dragon in comparison with the others.

Fuku-Riu is a favorite dragon of many people as it is the dragon of luck.

Hai-Riyo is known as the dragon bird, and the most advanced form of dragon. It evolved out of Chinese mythology.

The colors of the dragons have special significance, which are based on their parents. For example a dragon with a black color means their parents are very old and wise. Green dragons are smaller than average, but are representative of life and of the earth. Gold colored dragons are special because they have many special attributes such as wisdom, kindness and the ability to face challenges head on.

Japanese Tattoo Lettering - History, Basics, and Style

In Japan, tattooing and tattoo lettering began primarily as an expression of spirituality. From approximately 300 BC to 300 AD, a Japanese tattoo always conveyed a certain religious meaning for its bearer, and also served as a decorative status symbol.

During this period, tattooing was meticulously practiced and highly regarded. For the tattoo artists, tattooing was not just an occupation, but a way of life. For instance, aspiring apprentices had to train under masters for many years before becoming credible and acknowledged tattoo artists, which are called "horis" in Japan. Only a horis was allowed to create full body suit tattoos.

All that changed when the government began to etch tattoos on criminals as a means of punishment. During the Meiji era, the Japanese government outlawed tattooing and forced artists to practice underground. It was legalized again in 1945, but until now, Japanese tattoos have never completely shaken off the negative association with common felons and the Yakuza, Japan's longstanding infamous mafia. Consequently, people sporting tattoos are known to be banned in many public baths and massage parlors by apprehensive business owners. Despite all this, Japanese tattoos continue to gain popularity domestically and worldwide because of the outstanding artistry of the designs and the deep mystical symbolism inherent to them.