| help with a tattoo design... |
Question:
I have one tattoo so far and I am currently searching for a design for my
next one. Can anyone tell me of someplace I could find antique chinese
dragon designs? Any help that anyone could offer is greatly appreciated.
Answer:
- A good place to look for old chinese designs (or any designs for that
matter) is in an art store. Dover Publications puts out scads of
inexpensive (most under $5) large format paperback books on all types of
authentic art periods. There are books on Chinese images which include
lots of dragons, phoenixes, tigerts, etc. Just call around until you find
a place that carries a full selection of Dover books.
- for dragons just to look at to get design ideas, I suggest martial
arts books. Ones on Wu Shu, and Shaolin Gung Fu the two older Chinese
fighting arts. Yes we mis-pronounce it kung fu, which is odd because it is
named after the great scholar and swords master: Kung Fu-Tze, which we
mis-pronounce Confucious.
Or you can try Okinawian, Shorin Ryu, and Gojo Ryu Karate books: the
two original karates from Okinawa. (Shorin was the Japanese
mis-pronouncation of Shaolin), These are old arts steeped in symbolism of
the tiger, dragon and crane. There are some real good pictures out there.
As of late I have been thinking of having my tatoo redone into a
small Yin-Yang with crossed Katanas under it and a Chinese dragon around
it. Right now it's a Woodstock (you know, Snoopy's friend from the Peanuts
comics). Well I know it sounds like an odd transformation, but don't have
the money now anyway, so it's just a thought. I suppose I should save that
for if I ever make it to black belt.
- you might also check out any books on oriental design.. architectual and
graphic as well. the photography/design section in the library is always
a great place to browse for inspiration..
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