A dragon head tattoo can showcase detail and technical application without the often-cumbersome looking body, wings, and tail of the mythical flying beast that may not fit your vision or the positioning you desire.
The following gallery of dragon head tattoo ideas demonstrate how detail and linework involving great technical skill transform a simple color or black and gray design without the need to make an epic sized piece of body art.
1. Upper Arm Tattoos
2. Tattoos for the Back
3. Black and Gray Designs
Source: @edzllorente via Instagram
4. Dragon Head Chest Ink
Source: @mikeiacono_ via Instagram
5. Hand Tattoos with Dragon Head
6. Japanese Style Tattoos
7. Dragon Head Leg Tattoos
8. Traditional Tattoos
9. Black Ink and Linework Designs
About Dragon Head Tattoo Ideas
People often think of full figure designs when considering dragon tattoos, however a dragon head by itself can be an excellent stylistic and economic choice.
As part of far eastern mythology, the spiritual dragon represents freedom, balance, and good fortune. In Chinese mythology they are also associated with wisdom and protection.
The Western dragon in European folklore is more vicious, disparate in looks and temperament, and are the go-to choice for collectors looking at fire breathing dragon design elements.
A fantasy dragon head from either school can be etched in traditional positions but are often utilized more in contemporary dragon design and positions like the hand, neck, inner forearm or chest.
FAQs
Why choose a dragon head tattoo?
A dragon head tattoo can showcase detail and technical application without the often-cumbersome looking body, wings, and tail of the mythical flying beast that may not fit your vision or the positioning you desire.
It’s a simpler task to fit and mold a tattoo of a dragon head – whether sinuous and snakelike such as Asian dragons, or the boxy wagon sized head of the Western dragon – into less expansive spaces then trying to accommodate the full body of a beast.
A fantasy dragon head from either the Asian or Western style school can be etched in traditional positions but are often utilized in contemporary dragon design and positions like the hand, neck, inner forearm or chest.
Another consideration is price. If you’re looking for a precise, highly detailed dragon image, then just getting the head tattooed can be a significantly cheaper option than a design incorporating the whole dragon.
What are the differences between Asian dragon and European dragon tattoos?
Asian dragon tattoo features more snakelike and sinuous dragons than their European counterparts and are considered more positive symbols of wisdom and temperance.
As part of far eastern mythology, dragons represent freedom, balance, and good fortune. They are also associated with wisdom and protection.
The Dragon image in European folklore are often scourges for brave knights to hunt down; flame belching horrors the size of buildings that look much like those belonging to Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones.
Their massive heads and thick, spiny skin are not dissimilar from carnivorous dinosaurs. Their physical characteristics (horns, claws, color etc) determine much of the symbolism of the tattoo.
Where can I place my dragon head tattoo?
Applying just the dragon head allows for physical characteristics specific to the head to be deployed.
An upper arm tattoo or chest tattoo can be more striking and boldly etched when done with just a dragon’s head to work with, allowing for elements such as teeth, spines, eyes, nostrils and tips to be more of a focus.
Both major kinds of dragons are hugely popular for head tattoos due to option to have the dragon be depicted in a way to focus on close characteristics, rather than all the disparate elements – scaled, body, wings, tail, claws – mixed together.
More visible placements – the hands, neck, or forearm – also work as the smaller size and commitment to fine detail helps them look sharp and crisp wherever there is space.
There’s also much less need filler. Just etching the dragons’ head creates a simpler space and size means there’s less scale needed to be incorporated.