What do dragonfly tattoo mean and what are they like?

A tattoo depicting a dragonfly at the time of its flight or in complete rest has a rather deep semantic meaning. Even in ancient times, these insects were seriously revered, piously believing in their supernatural and magical capabilities. Admirers of dragonflies these days strive to capture their beautiful image on their bodies as vividly as possible.

The dragonfly is one of the oldest creatures on our planet, which has been known since the Jurassic period. The demand for such a graceful and at the same time mysterious symbol is most often explained by the fact that this insect is found almost everywhere, in all countries, and has its own meaning.

• In Japan, dragonflies have always been strictly masculine symbols. According to old legends, Japanese priests had to constantly sacrifice these creatures to their deities in order to get good luck in a difficult battle, stability and courageous traits, full-fledged happiness in return. By the way, today many Japanese people believe that this cheerful insect symbolizes irresponsible behavior, negligence, inconstancy in married life, complete insecurity.
• In China, this insect meant weakness, not very stable behavior, and also fickleness. On the other hand, the dragonfly was 100% relied on to determine the weather. From her flight and behavior, it became clear when the sultry summer would come and the end of the long rainy season.
• In Malaysia, a dragonfly flying by lightning speed is a sign of the ghostly and frailty of existence.
• In America, this unusual insect symbolized an active life position and indomitable energy.
• In Europe, the insect was perceived very negatively in every sense.In the Middle Ages, the dragonfly was a sign of witches, and it was mercilessly exterminated.
• In England, they believed that the obstinate dragonfly is a wise, invincible, courageous creature.
• In Scandinavia, it was believed that it transfers the soul of a deceased person to the devil.
• In Romania, there were 2 legends about dragonflies. The first said that the common people, tempted by the devil, turned into dragonflies, becoming the messengers of Satan. According to the second legend, dragonflies sewed beautiful clothes for underground trolls and therefore were considered hardworking insects.
• Almost all Slavic peoples were afraid of these creatures they did not understand. They were quite sure that the dragonflies were directly communicating with the devil, and therefore diligently avoided them.
• If we consider the sign of a swift dragonfly through feng shui, then it will immediately become clear that this sign is very ambiguous. He is perfectly capable of connecting 2 elements at once - air and water - and therefore plays the role of a sign of immortality or rapid rebirth.

A tattoo with a dragonfly originally depicted on a human body is suitable for everyone without any problems, since this kind of sign is versatile. It will combine a serious masculine beginning and at the same time embody the special feminine meaning of the image. The elements of water and air indicate a period of maturation, relative lightness, special airiness and obvious fragility. The purpose of such a tattoo is to emphasize the duality of the owner's nature.

The tattoo is suitable for both adult men and very young girls, whose character has such distinctive features as exceptional endurance, majestic courage, and special invulnerability to life's difficulties. For young girls, the meaning of a dragonfly tattoo is primarily a designation of the feminine principle, love of freedom, rebelliousness and daydreaming. However, one should also not forget that very often the inhabitants associate this insect with such a concept as frivolity.

In the myths of different peoples, you can find a mention of the fact that these insects are connected by their energy with the boundless space. That is why such plot tattoos (an insect plus space objects) will not only look amazingly spectacular, but at the same time they will still carry such a meaning as an invisible connection with cosmic energy. In this case, the drawing of a dragonfly on the body can be considered a powerful and effective amulet.

The most important thing is to choose a tattoo with this insect in certain styles.

• Watercolor. The most popular style today. The images of insects are very colorful and in a rather unusual design. It is this effect that will give the drawings even more mysticality, and it does not matter whether it is a large picture on the half of the back or a mini-tattoo hidden on the wrist.

• Tribal. Black, but at the same time rather smooth lines, usually in this style turn into very beautiful, not the most intricate patterns. The style will allow anyone who wants to get a unique pattern of even a small dragonfly on any part of the body.

• Realism. In this style, it’s better not to draw too much detail. It is enough just to convey the liveliness, the speed of the insect in a bright 3D drawing. Very often, in this style, many details of the surrounding reality are added to the tattoo - water lilies, reeds, butterflies.

• Geometry. The style will allow to convey in an original way the uniqueness of the forms used, the unusual outlines of the selected pattern, while the image itself acquires clarity.

• Dotwork. A sketch in such a youthful style will be created from small black dots, which will eventually come together in one picture. The unforgettable play of light and shadow is very often used here.This technique will allow you to emphasize the strength of the constantly moving wings of a dragonfly. This black and white style will help you create a truly unique tattoo with catchy patterns.

• Tribal style - This is the execution of a tattoo design almost entirely in solid colors, such as completely black and dark gray. Most often, this interesting style is chosen for themselves by young free men, since this kind of drawing will look quite daring and even somewhat defiant.

• 3D tattoo. The image, made in this, also very popular, technique, has an incredibly attractive and spectacular effect. The design will look so realistic that it may seem to many people around that an unusual insect is actually sitting on the body alive, but at a certain moment it is ready to quickly fly away.

• Insect and mandala symbolism. In such a performance, the dragonfly drawing is neatly complemented by ornate patterns, as a result, the image acquires the symbolism of complete balance, tranquility and harmony of life, full-fledged renewal and mutual love.

• Minimalism. Most often, minimalistic tattoos in the form of a funny dragonfly are distinguished by their small size and grayish-black tone, and the original design itself will have simplicity of execution, since this kind of pattern consists mainly of the finest lines and soft shading.

In a tattoo with such an unusual insect as a quivering dragonfly, you can, without a shadow of a doubt, actively add different elements.

• Butterflies. These two symbols will go well together, as sometimes they have almost the same meanings.
• Feathers of various sizes and colors. If you want to complement the tattoo with symbols of lightness and airiness, then various feathers will come in very handy.
• Flowers. The composition of a dragonfly and a lotus flower looks great, a dandelion or a lily is perfect. Lotus and lily bud are very similar in meaning, so they are often drawn with various insects that are directly related to the element of water. Dandelion will help emphasize the lightness of the image. At the same time, you can easily choose any other flower for the image on your body.
• The smooth surface of the water. You can draw an insect flying over the water surface of the lake.
• Fallen leaves, lake or river grass, dry reeds. Usually, such inserts only add realism to the image.
• Hieroglyphs. The hieroglyph for success is more often used, because a dragonfly is a symbol of success and good luck.
• Stars. The mystical meaning of the stars makes them a very popular element in many tattoos. Together with the lake insect, they should bring rapid prosperity, serious success and inspire new achievements.
• Fairy. Since ancient times, many thinkers have considered dragonflies to be representatives of the magical world, therefore even today the fairy is often placed in a drawing next to this fast insect.

Any desired tone can be added to such a pattern, and there can be a different number of them. The most important thing is that they all look as harmonious and stylish as possible. Bright and catchy colors will help to give more expressiveness to the author's work. The most popular colors for the image of dragonflies:

• red or scarlet, the designation of a bright red insect - the search for mutual love;
• yellow, this color will tell about the inner core of its owner, about his positive attitude and energy;
• blue, an insect of a sky-blue tone guarantees harmony, the sought-after peace;
• green, indicates everyday experience;
• the drawing of a dragonfly is sometimes performed in all kinds of colors, because this is one of the most striking creatures on earth.

As soon as you get the idea to make yourself a stylish tattoo, you need to decide exactly where the future image will be placed.

• If you have picked up a small tattoo, you can easily get it on your fingers, as well as on the back of the neck, right behind the ear or on the ankles.
• For girls who dream of tattoos, but are embarrassed to make them big, you can pick up a dragonfly tattoo to be applied on the arm. A great place here is your wrist, where you can place a small drawing.
• On the leg, the insect looks advantageous in the area of ​​the foot or on the thigh.
• A tattoo of a pair of dragonflies on the shoulder will be the best choice for a very brave girl if she likes the attention of others.
• Quite often you can see a miniature flying dragonfly right on the belly - in girls and women, such a pattern can successfully hide scars or birthmarks.
• The back can be called one of the most ambitious places for tattoo drawings, most often in this area they can be seen in representatives of the strong half.