Some people get tattoos in Japan to show their interest and respect for Japanese culture and history. Many symbols and designs can be used for Japanese tattoos. Here are some examples:
Rising Sun and Phoenix
The Rising Sun is a symbol of divinity and strength in Japan. The phoenix means rebirth and renewal. These symbols can be a good choice for someone who wants to show their faith and resilience.
Dragon
Dragons are very popular in Japanese culture. They mean power, strength and good luck. They also show the spirit of a warrior. Dragon tattoos can have different styles and sizes.
But before you get a dragon tattoo, you should consider cultural appropriation. It means using something from another culture without respecting it or understanding it. You should know how dragons are seen in your culture and avoid anything offensive or disrespectful.
The colour of your dragon tattoo can also change its meaning. In Japan, green means life, youth and energy. Purple means royalty and wealth. Black means perseverance, and pink means fragility of life.
Crane
The crane is a beautiful bird that has many meanings in different cultures. In Japan, it means peace, hope, longevity and good fortune. There are many stories and legends about the crane in Japan. For example, a girl named Sadako Sasaki made 1000 paper cranes to cure her leukaemia after the Hiroshima bombing.
Japanese crane tattoos can show good fortune and remind you of the people you love or care about. You can combine them with symbols like koi fish or Oni masks for more meaning.
Words
Some people like to get word tattoos that have a special meaning. They may use quotes, poems or lyrics that inspire or make them happy. They may also mix them with Japanese elements to make them more artistic.
Red is typical for Japanese tattoos because it means strength, passion and courage. People who have red tattoos are seen as strong and brave. They can overcome any challenge.
Purple is another colour that has a lot of meaning in Japan. It means femininity, beauty, prosperity and good fortune. It is often used with flowers or other symbols to make them more beautiful.
Saru is the Japanese word for monkey. It can mean being competitive or mischievous like a monkey. It can also mean moving forward without looking back.
Koi fish
Koi fish tattoos are gorgeous and meaningful. They show someone’s strength in overcoming challenges. They are often paired with the yin-yang symbol, balance and harmony, or with lotus flowers, which mean purity. These tattoos are usually found on the thighs and have a Tebori style, which looks like wood carving.
These tattoos can also have written in Japanese or Chinese characters with dragons or koi fish in waterfalls. It shows courage and strength in overcoming obstacles.
Red is a symbol of courage and bravery for men who have koi fish tattoos. It also means love and motherhood for women who have them. Combining yin-yang and lotus adds more meaning and personalization to these tattoos.
