subject: Tattoo Designs - 4 Chinese Symbols And Their Meanings [print this page] Tattoos of Chinese characters have maintained their popularity over a long period of time. There are a number of reasons: a wearer can express an idea or an emotion with one or two characters; to a non-Chinese speaking person it is different and exotic, with an air of mystery; there are thousands of symbols from which to choose to make it easier find the right one. Some characters have changed little over several thousand years, which links the wearer to an ancient people who have one of the earliest forms of writing.
Chinese Dragon Character Tattoo
The Chinese dragon is probably one of the most recognized images in the world. Anyone seeing it knows it is uniquely Chinese. It is seen on gowns, pottery, furnishings and decorations. This Asian sign is one of the most popular. In Chinese culture, the dragon is seen as the strongest symbol of good fortune. It is seen as a creature of power and magic and as a friend to humans. It will bestow benevolence and good fortune. It stands for abundance, success and prosperity. It is also seen as a connection to the supernatural - a connection between heaven and earth. A Chinese dragon character as a tattoo design can connect to an ancient culture and mythology.
Chinese Strength Tattoo
Some Chinese characters date back thousands of years; the symbol for Strength is one of those. The Emperor's elite guards wore it. The character itself is said to resemble a tendon or a muscle. It means strength, power, force or capability. This symbol is said to bring physical strength, stamina and good health. To those who wear it, it will bring good fortune.
Chinese Love Tattoo
This is a powerful symbol that can express any type of love - mother and father, lover, wife or husband. It is an all-encompassing sign for love. The good part about that is you can decide who is the object of your love. Like all Chinese symbols this will bestow good fortune.
Chinese Zodiac Tattoo
As in the West, the Chinese have 12 Zodiac signs. Chinese signs are for the year of birth rather than for the day of birth. The Chinese also use animals for each year - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Lamb, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The Zodiac signs are actually characters representing that animal for the year. It is thought a person will take on some of the characteristics of their birth animal. These characteristics are listed in a similar way to the ones listed in the Western Horoscope. There is one Chinese symbol that means Zodiac but this is then modified to a person's month of birth. This is another sign that is seen as very lucky. It connects the wearer to the universe and a positive force.
These are just a few of the Chinese symbols that can help you express yourself in an interesting and exotic way. You can express your personality by the style of calligraphy you choose. To make sure you get the character you want it is important to do your own research and then talk to an artist who is familiar with the symbols or who has knowledge of Chinese.
