龙 stroke order 龙 chinese writing meaning 龙 chinese character tattoos

The Chinese Character: 龙 (lóng)

1. Basic Meaning and Structure

  • Pronunciation: lóng (sounds like "long" in English, but with a rising tone).

  • Character Meaning: Dragon

  • Character Type: The traditional form is 「龍」, a pictographic character that visually suggests the serpentine body, head, and whiskers of a dragon. The simplified form "龙" is more abstract but retains the essence.

  • Stroke Order: (For the simplified form "龙")

    It is highly recommended to get the stroke order from a visual guide or have the tattoo artist consult one to ensure accuracy.

    1. Horizontal (一)

    2. Left falling (丿)

    3. Vertical bend (亅)

    4. Right falling (㇂)

    5. Dot (丶)

2. Deeper Cultural and Historical Significance

The Chinese dragon is a fundamentally different creature from its Western counterpart. It is a divine, benevolent, and auspicious being, a symbol of ultimate power and good fortune.

  • Imperial Power and Authority: For centuries, the dragon was the exclusive symbol of the Chinese emperor. The throne was the "Dragon Throne," and the emperor's face was the "Dragon Face." It represents supreme strength, leadership, and majesty.

  • Good Fortune and Auspiciousness: The dragon is a bringer of luck, success, and prosperity. It is one of the key celestial animals in Chinese cosmology.

  • Nature's Power and Harmony: The dragon controls water: rainfall, rivers, seas, and storms. It represents the powerful, untamable forces of nature, but also the harmony between heaven and earth.

  • Strength and Ambition: The dragon embodies yang energy—active, strong, and masculine. It symbolizes the power to overcome obstacles and achieve great things.

  • A Cultural Totem: It is considered the mythical ancestor of the Chinese people, who often call themselves "descendants of the dragon" (龙的传人, lóng de chuán rén).


"龙" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Interpretations

A "龙" tattoo is never just a name or a simple word; it is a statement of identity, ambition, and connection to a powerful cultural symbol.

1. Core Symbolic Meanings

  • Personal Strength and Power: This is the most common reason for choosing this tattoo. It represents the wearer's inner strength, resilience, and ability to conquer challenges. It's a talisman for personal power.

  • Good Luck and Success: People get this tattoo to attract prosperity, good fortune, and success in their endeavors, whether in business, studies, or personal life.

  • Freedom and Independence: Unlike the Western dragon, which is often depicted as a beast to be slain, the Chinese dragon is a free, untamable ruler of the skies and seas. It symbolizes a free spirit and independence.

  • A Connection to Heritage: For individuals of Chinese descent, a "龙" tattoo is a powerful way to express pride in their cultural heritage and identity.

  • Wisdom and Potential: The dragon is not just brute force; it is an ancient, wise, and mystical creature. This tattoo can represent the pursuit of knowledge and the realization of one's potential.

2. Stylistic Considerations and Placement

The character "龙" itself is visually striking, but its meaning can be amplified by its artistic style:

  • Character-Only Tattoo: The character itself, often done in a strong, calligraphic "black ink" style, is a classic and powerful choice. It focuses on the essence of the symbol.

  • Character Integrated with Dragon Art: A very popular style is to have the character "龙" form the body of the dragon itself, or have a detailed dragon illustration wrapping around or emerging from the character.

  • Calligraphic Styles:

    • 楷书 (Regular Script): Clear, strong, and formal.

    • 行书 (Semi-Cursive): Fluid and dynamic, suggesting movement.

    • 草书 (Cursive): Wild, abstract, and highly artistic.

    • 篆书 (Seal Script): Ancient, intricate, and deeply traditional. This is a very popular choice for tattoos due to its artistic and historical weight.

Placement: Due to its often vertical and dynamic shape, it works well on the forearm, shoulder blade, calf, spine, or along the rib cage.

3. A Powerful Combination

"龙" is often paired with other characters to create a specific phrase. A very common and powerful combination is:

  • 龙虎 (lóng hǔ) - Dragon and Tiger: This represents the ultimate balance of power. The dragon rules the skies (heaven, yang), and the tiger rules the land (earth, yin). Together, they symbolize perfect balance, fierce power, and dominance.


Important Considerations Before Getting the Tattoo

  1. Profound Cultural Weight: Understand that you are wearing one of the most significant symbols in Chinese culture. It is a sign of respect to appreciate its deep meaning beyond just a "cool design."

  2. Crucial: Correct Character and Stroke Order: There is a big difference between the simplified "龙" and traditional "龍". Both are correct for "dragon," but you must choose one and ensure it is drawn perfectly. A single wrong stroke can turn it into a different, nonsensical, or even unfortunate character.

  3. Find a Skilled Artist: This is not a tattoo for a novice. Seek an artist with proven experience in Chinese calligraphy or character tattoos. They will understand the importance of stroke order, pressure, and flow.

Summary of Tattoo Meanings:

  • Primary Meaning: The Dragon.

  • Symbolic Meanings: Power, Strength, Good Fortune, Success, Wisdom, Freedom, and Cultural Pride.

  • Aesthetic Meaning: A visually dynamic and culturally profound character that makes a bold statement.

In conclusion, a "龙" tattoo is for someone who identifies with immense strength, seeks to command their own destiny, and wishes to carry a symbol of ultimate good fortune and power. It is a timeless and deeply respected choice.

龙字意思【meaning】

龙字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

龙lóng(ㄌㄨㄥˊ)

⒈  传说中的一种长形、有鳞、有角的神异动物,能走,能飞,能游泳,能兴云作雨:龙舟。龙灯。龙宫。龙驹(骏马,喻才华出众的少年)。画龙点睛。龙蟠虎踞。

⒉  古生物学中指一些巨大的有四肢有尾或兼有翼的爬虫:恐龙。

⒊  封建时代用作皇帝的象征,或称关于皇帝的东西:龙颜。龙体。龙袍。

⒋  姓。

龙的异体字【Variant】

龙字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

dragon、imperial

造字法【Character Creation】

原为形声

龙的英文翻译【English Translation】

dragon; symbolic of emperor

龙字组词【Word Grouping】

龙工;龙翔;贺龙;尼龙;龙骸;烛龙;神龙;龙骨;龙袍;龙逢;龙胆;凿龙;腾龙;龙洞;龙珠;

龙字取名的寓意【The meaning of the name】

龙字取名寓指佼佼者、人中豪杰、幸运、成功。之意。中性字,用字频率为百分名字中使用了641次,点击查看龙字起名

龙字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】:

龙字取名义指财富,成功,成功之义;

龙配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名龙配什么字最好【What word is best?】?龙配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配雍、享、十、关、丙等字起名大气好听的。女孩龙字配什么字好听可配娟、蕾、蕊、萍、茵等字起名最好听。

与龙字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

  • chang long长龙

  • long fei龙菲

  • yi long一龙

  • wu long武龙

  • yu long毓龙

  • ji long继龙

与龙字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

  • ting long婷龙

  • long man龙嫚

  • long ping龙萍

  • long jing龙睛

  • rong long绒龙

  • dan long丹龙