Do you feel like you’ve been hitting your head against a brick wall in your desperate search for the perfect Tattoo Design? Well, don’t lose your head.
We’ve got the heads up on some of the best Dragon Tattoos that are head and shoulders above the rest. So turn up the heat as we dive head-first into the mythical world of Dragon Head Tattoos.
What Does A Dragon Head Tattoo Mean
A Dragon Head Tattoo has no different symbolic meaning compared to your standard Dragon Tattoo.
‘What does a Dragon Tattoo mean’ will be determined by what variant of Dragon you have and sometimes what color that Dragon is.
However, more often than not, a Dragon Tattoo symbolizes wisdom, strength, power, good luck, and often times royalty.
36 Dragon Head Tattoo Designs
1. Red Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @alldaytattoo
A Red Dragon Tattoo symbolizes good fortune and happiness.
This colored Dragon is usually the one you will see at wedding venues and other special events throughout East Asia.
In Chinese culture, the Red Dragon 赤龍 (Chìlóng) is the Dragon God of the South and the essence of Summer.
2. Black Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @lewismckechnie
A Black Dragon Tattoo is often associated with catastrophes such as storms and floods but can also be associated with revenge and vengeance.
In Chinese culture, the Black Dragon 黑龍 (Hēilóng) is the Dragon God of the north and the essence of winter.
3. White Dragon Head Tattoo
A White Dragon Tattoo embodies the qualities of wisdom, purity, and divine guidance.
The White Dragon can also be called the Lunar Dragon, which symbolizes death and rebirth.
In Chinese culture, the White Dragon 白龍 (Báilóng) is the Dragon God of the West and the essence of autumn.
4. Yellow Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @chen.tattooer
A Yellow Dragon Tattoo symbolizes wealth and social standing.
In Chinese culture, the Yellow Dragon 黃龍 (Huánglóng) is the Dragon God of the center, associated with the late summer.
The Yellow Dragon is the center of the cosmos, earth, the Chinese quintessence, and the changing seasons.
It is also said to have laid the foundation for civilization, inventing writing, mathematics, and the potter's wheel.
5. Green Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @nicolaburini
A Green Dragon Tattoo can be a symbol of a symbol of life, death, and rebirth due to its association with nature.
In Chinese culture, the Green Dragon is also known as the Blue-Green Dragon or Azure Dragon 靑龍 (Qīnglóng) and is the Dragon God of the East and the essence of spring.
6. Blue Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @qubiduu
A Blue Dragon Tattoo represents protection, harmony, success, and peace.
The Blue Dragon is also often associated with the ocean, rain, or any large bodies of water.
In Chinese culture, like the Green Dragon, the Blue Dragon is called the Azure Dragon, the Dragon God of the East, and the essence of spring.
7. Celtic Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @badgerkingtattoo
A Celtic Dragon Tattoo symbolizes strength, wisdom, courage, and magic.
In Celtic mythology, Dragons were believed to exist in a parallel world to our own and had the power to affect the land wherever they flew over.
The Druids believed that wherever these Dragons flew over was important the the flow of energy through the physical world.
8. European Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @richardcuadros_
Unlike all the Dragons before, who are naturally benevolent, the European Dragon was almost always depicted as a malevolent being.
This is probably due to the introduction of Christianity into the European peninsula and the desire to move away from Paganism by changing the narrative towards Dragons from benevolent spiritual creatures to evil, malevolent beings needing to be slain.
9. Reptilian Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @basvandenbraak
If you want your Dragon Head to have more lizard-like qualities, try out this cool Reptilian Dragon Head Tattoo.
This cool Traditional Tattoo Design has a rough-looking Dragon with a lot of spikes coming from all over its head, reptilian spots, and a forked tongue.
10. Colorful Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @burdxturd
This cool Dragon Head Tattoo has a white Dragon but with a lot of different colors adorned over it.
The Dragon’s tongue has great fading from blue to yellow, its horns have multiple different spiraling colors, and has a nice pink hue to its lips.
11. Crazy Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @thesolidink
If you want your Dragon Head to have a more crazy aesthetic, try this super cool Crazy Dragon Head Tattoo.
This amazing Tattoo Design features an erratic-looking Dragon with wild hair, a swirling eye, a twisted jaw, and flames that look like they're made of rubber.
12. Dragon Skull Tattoo
Photo credit: @fredao_oliveira
Of course you don’t always have to go for just a normal Dragon’s Head Tattoo.
Instead, you can get yourself tattooed in a Dragon Skull Tattoo instead.
This great Dragon Skull Tattoo has a lot of amazing details with its sharp protrusions, great shading and some nice Fine-Line detailing.
13. Water Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @darell_tallent_tattoo
If you want your Blue Dragon Head to have a more aquatic feel to it, then try out this Water Dragon Head Tattoo.
Dragons are often associated as bringers of rain, with the most famous of water Dragon deities being Ryūjin.
14. Dragon Head Sword Tattoo
Photo credit: @ultraviolence_tattoo
If you want to add an edge to your Dragon Head Tattoo, then add a sword to its design.
Dragon Sword Tattoos can symbolize an individual's ability to overcome any obstacle or can symbolize how you carry the fighting spirit of a Dragon with you.
15. Cool Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @ohrel_tattoo
If you have a laid-back or fun-loving personality, then you can add some elements to your Dragon Head Tattoo that reflect those qualities.
This cool Dragon Head Tattoo has the Dragon wearer a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses and a nose ring that might reflect the wearer's personality and style.
16. Gold Tooth Dragon Head Tatoo
Photo credit: @dredsoull
Like the last Design, this Dragon Head Tattoo can also showcase the wearer's personality and style.
In this Tattoo Design, the Dragon Head has a gold tooth.
A gold tooth is often seen as a status symbol used in various cultures worldwide, particularly in parts of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus Regions.
17. Dragon Flower Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @strangemmmaker
If you love both Dragon Tattoos and Flower Tattoos, then consider combining your love of both, like in this Dragon Flower Head Tattoo.
Flower Tattoos can have a lot of symbolism.
However, a Dragon Flower Head Tattoo might symbolize a fusion of themes such as growth and renewal from the flower, themed with strength and wisdom from the Dragon, symbolizing your own personal growth into a stronger and wiser human being.
18. Dark Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @luke_vena
If you want to add a bit of a darker side to your Tattoo Design, then check out this cool Dark Dragon Head Tattoo.
This cool style has a Tim Burton look to it, known as burtonesque.
This style is characterized by a blend of gothic, whimsical, and macabre elements, often conveying a sense of eerie beauty and dark fantasy.
19. Robot Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @mt.splashmore
Dragons are pretty cool, but you know what is even cooler than a Dragon? A Robot Dragon, of course.
This amazing Traditional Tattoo is simply of a Robotic Dragon Head with some great cybernetic detailing reminiscent of Mecha Godzilla.
20. Pendant Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @sarvatkarimov
If you want your Dragon Head to look more like an additional ornament to an existing design, then check out this cool Dragon Necklace Tattoo.
In this Tattoo Design, a Yellow Dragon’s Head is positioned at the end of a necklace positioned beautifully between two flowers.
21. Dragon Head And Stork Tattoo
Photo credit: @mr_thaito_bkk
You don’t have to settle for just a Dragon Head by itself.
You can partner it up with any other animals or Mythological Tattoo beings of your choice.
This Tattoo Design has the Dragon head paired with a Crane.
In Japanese culture, the Crane is a national treasure and a symbol of good luck, longevity, peace, hope, and healing and is sometimes featured at weddings to represent honor and loyalty.
22. Gambling Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @culpin
If you fancy yourself as the type who likes to risk it all, then consider getting this gambling Dragon Tattoo.
Dragon Tattoos are often symbolic of good luck, so bringing your Dragon Head Tattoo wherever you go will offer you good luck when you head to the casino.
23. Oriental Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @sandiegotattooers
If you really want to add Asian characteristics to your Dragon Head Tattoo, then you need to get an Oriental Dragon Head Tattoo.
This Dragon Head Tattoo Design has many Asian motifs, including long whiskers, swirling hair, and large expressive eyes.
24. Origami Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @cecilefraise_tattoo
If you like Geometric Tattoos, then you will love this origami Dragon Head Tattoo.
Origami is the Japanese art form of paper folding with the goal being to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques.
25. Cherry Blossom Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @tattarot_ink
Cherry Blossoms are a common motif in many Asian Dragon Tattoos.
They symbolize life, death, and renewal and can also symbolize life's fleeting beauty.
Together, a Dragon Tattoo and a Cherry Blossom Tattoo can symbolize a balance between strength and gentleness, power and ephemeral beauty.
26. Book Of Kells Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @son_of_ilio
The Book of Kells contains the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables.
While the Book of Kells primarily has Christian symbolism, it also includes various representations of animals and mythical creatures, including dragons.
The dragons in the Book of Kells are typically depicted in the Insular art style, characterized by intricate interlacing patterns, knotwork, and elaborate spirals.
27. Flaming Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @khora_x
Of course, you can’t have a Dragon Tattoo list without having a Flaming Dragon Tattoo.
Dragons have long been known for their ability to breathe fire, however, it wasn’t always the case, with Eastern Dragons rarely being shown to have this ability.
This cool Dragon has fire leaking out from its eyes and probably preparing to blast fire out from its mouth at any moment.
28. Korean Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @pittakkm
The Korean Dragon, known as Yong, is a symbol of authority, strength, and protection.
It is also associated with water and weather, believed to control rainfall, typhoons, and floods, indicating their role as guardians of rivers, lakes, and seas.
29. Dragon Head And Tiger Tattoo
Photo credit: @tattoo_romk
Dragon Tiger Tattoos symbolize balance and harmony in life due to their connection with the Chinese Philosophical concept of Yin-Yang.
By itself, a Tiger Tattoo, similar to a Dragon Tattoo, can symbolize strength, power, protection, and nobility, to name a few.
30. Dragon Head Ornament Tattoo
Photo credit: @jaybird_tattoos
Here is a unique design, rather than having the Dragon Head on its own, why not have it as the centerpiece of a larger ornamental design?
This gorgeous Dragon Head Ornament Design has a Dragon with Urnes-inspired ornamentation.
This design is done by the incredible jaybird_tattoos, who primarily works with fantasy and folklore-inspired tattoos.
31. Half Skull Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @zeus__good
This creepy Dragon Head Tattoo has a half-half design.
One side features a normal-looking European-style Dragon, and the other is a skull complete with Butterfly Tattoos, fungi, and other organic growths curling around parts of the Dragon's face.
32. Decaying Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @baontattoo
Unlike the last design, this Dragon Head Tattoo is of a decaying Dragon.
This super cool design has an Asian Dragon slowly decaying, with one half of its face a skull with the last remnants of its rotting flesh, with the other half still keeping its original form.
This design also has the traditional flame motifs of an Asian Dragon Tattoo, but perhaps now they symbolize the stench of rotting flesh instead.
33. Woman And Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @elliott.qttr
Here is another unique Dragon Head Tattoo.
This time, we have a tattoo that can be perceived as two different things depending on how you look at it.
On one side, it is an angry Dragon with the shape of a woman’s head on top, while on the other, it's an elegant woman with a Dragon ornament or hat atop her head.
34. Dragon Head Floral Tattoo
Photo credit: @adrienn.kern
Flower Tattoos can come with a lot of symbolism that will be dependent on which flower you choose to adorn yourself with.
This Dragon Rose Tattoo has an amazing fantasy looking Dragon adorned with Roses, other flowers, flames, and the Dragon itself having an incredibly detailed pattern on its face.
35. Zoidberg Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @hunter.haver
The Doctor is in! You have to land on the weird side of the internet to find Tattoo Designs such as this one.
This Dragon Head Tattoo is a fusion between a Dragon and the Futurama series Decapodian Doctor, Doctor Zoidberg.
Despite being a doctor, Zoidberg has a woeful understanding of human physiology and is implied to be frequently homeless when not at work.
36. Krusty The Clown Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @oscarmontestattooer
Hey!!! Hey!!! Kids!!!, we’ve reached the end, so lastly, we have another abomination from the predecessor of the Futurama franchise.
This Cartoon Tattoo is a mix of a Dragon Head and a favorite clown from Springfield, Krusty the Clown.
Despite his outward appearance, Krusty is actually a cynical, chain-smoking, burt-out addict who holds show business in disdain.
Where To Get Your Dragon Head Tattoo
Design is only one aspect when it comes to the perfect Dragon Head Tattoo, but the location is another decision you need to carefully consider.
Let’s look at some of the best Dragon Head Tattoo body placements.
1. Dragon Head Tattoo On Chest
Photo credit: @alexlemondragon
If you’re looking to show off your Dragon Head Tattoo with pride, there is absolutely no better place to show it off than having it placed firmly on your chest.
For men, the chest offers a lot of muscle to dampen the pain and offers a lot of space.
However, for women, the anatomy of the breast may prove to be more challenging, but a skilled Tattoo Artist can always find a way to make a design you will love.
2. Shoulder Dragon Head Tattoo
Photo credit: @_bootattoos
Shoulder Tattoos are a great choice for first-time tattooers.
This location has a lot of muscle making it another place that makes for a more comfortable tattooing experience.
Just remember that if you want a larger design that reaches towards the armpit or collarbone, the more painful it becomes.
3. Dragon Head Tattoo On Thigh
Photo credit: @daft13
The Thigh Tattoo is another great place to get tattooed for the same reasons as the chest and shoulder.
The thigh also stores a lot of fat, so the farther away from the knee, the more pleasurable the experience will be.
4. Hand Dragon Head Tattoo Idea
Photo credit: @redmagicinktattoojakarta
While Hand Tattoos are one of the coolest places to get your tattoo, allowing you to show off your Dragon Head Tattoo as often as you like, they are also one of the most painful places to get tattooed.
The hand has very thin skin and a lot of tendons and nerves, making it an extremely unpleasant experience, but well worth it with a great design.
5. Dragon Head Tattoo On Forearm
Photo credit: @rucastattoos
Lastly, the forearm tattoo is a great place to get inked if you want to show off your design, often similar to the hand, but placed on the forearm will lead to a more comfortable experience.
The forearm is also a great place as it can easily be concealed and revealed at a moment's notice when you need to cover up your ink.
6. Dragon Head Tattoo On Head
Photo credit: @puca_tattoo
You didn’t think we would have a Dragon Head Tattoo list and not feature a Dragon Head on the head, did you?
Obviously, you’ll need to be brave to get your Tattoo Design here, not just because it’ll hurt but because it’s going to stand out like a sore thumb.
But keep in mind, unless you’re bald, you’re going to have to shave constantly in order to show off your design.
Conclusion
As we head towards the end of our Dragon Head Tattoo Designs, we hope we’ve headed you in the right direction for the perfect Tattoo Design.
But hey, if Dragon Head Tattoos didn’t inspire you, check out some other mythological creatures such as these Phoenix Tattoo Designs, double your Phoenix with your Dragon with these Dragon and Phoenix Tattoos, or for another pair, check out these Koi Dragon Tattoo Ideas.
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