The dragon holds the yin yang symbol. Meaning of Yin-Yang Tattoo

Often, when deciding to decorate their body with a tattoo, people give preference to the image of two creatures equal in strength and spirit: a tiger and a dragon. These animals have different characters and outwardly their confrontation is clearly visible, but at the same time their unity. And only the person who chose such an image decides what unites them: struggle or achieving a common goal.

What do they look like?

The tiger and the dragon, merging in a single fight, represent the Yin-Yang symbol. To indicate the infinity of the existence of nature, the outlines of animals are enclosed in a circle. Such tattoos are beautiful, quite voluminous and occupy a considerable area on the human body. Therefore, before applying it, it is necessary not only to evaluate the external elegance of the selected image, but also to find out its symbolic meaning.

It is recommended to apply a Yin-Yang tattoo to that area of the body where you can make it as large as possible. This is the back, chest, thigh or arm, if your lifestyle does not allow you to openly display the drawing. In the case when a person normally perceives the fact that the image cannot be hidden, it can be applied to an open area, for example, the neck area.

History of tattoo

In Chinese culture, it is customary to identify these animals with two symbols: Yin and Yang.

The origins of Yin-Yang symbolism go back to Chinese history. A simple natural phenomenon, the sun illuminating a mountain first on one side and then on the other, prompted people to think about the existence of a confrontation between two elements and at the same time their unity. Based on these conclusions, the opposite hypostases have the following interpretation:

Yin is represented by the Dragon, which personifies the feminine principle and correlates with such concepts as the moon, earth, death, darkness.
Yang is the Tiger, embodying male power, the basis of which is the sun, warmth, life, light, sky.

Historical roots of symbolism

In the western regions of Europe it was associated with evil, and in the East it was considered divine power. Most often, the symbol was depicted as a huge creature with claws, similar to a snake and breathing out fire. The meaning of the image of this mythical character different nations are different from one another. The following stories of its origin are hidden in the legends and tales of the peoples of Asia and Western Europe:

According to Western European legends, this animal destroyed human settlements and stole their inhabitants.

Chinese culture. Represents the Dragon as a divine creature that is able to control the elements of nature, including rain, lightning, etc. People believed that he reincarnates and carries wisdom, vitality and harmony.
Japanese legends. Traces of the existence of the image lead to China. Legend says that the Koi carp (symbol of wisdom) could turn into a Dragon. Therefore, he was associated with deep intelligence, guardianship and strength. Having such a design on clothing or body was considered a sign of greatness.
Western Europe. Unlike the culture of the East, the dragon is presented in a negative light. According to legend, he destroyed entire villages and took people away.

Yin and yang are a laconic symbol of the universe. Its image, like the concept itself, came to us from Chinese philosophical teachings, but the meaning is intuitively clear to a European. Yin Yang tattoos, the meaning of which we intend to find out today, are quite popular, because this symbol is truly comprehensive, it reflects the essence of existence, so it is quite difficult to be original in this case. But human imagination knows no bounds.

History of the symbol

According to one version, the essence of the yin and yang symbol was borrowed from Buddhists about two thousand years ago. In the Chinese “Book of Changes” this sign was used to represent fundamental opposites: light and dark, heat and cold, hard and soft. With the further development of philosophical teachings, the Celestial symbol began to play one of the key roles, explaining the concept of the universe.

The black and white halves symbolize the indestructible relationship of opposite principles: destruction and creation, earth and sky, moon and sun, feminine and masculine energy. Both the dark and light parts contain inclusions of the opposite color. This indicates that in nature there is no absolute good and evil, “black” and “white”. Even the impenetrable darkness of the night will be dispelled sun rays, and the winter cold will be replaced by spring warmth. Both energies are in constant motion, when one of them reaches its peak, it is replaced by the other. How deep the interpenetration of these energies is is indicated by their separation not by a straight line, but by a wavy line. It also speaks of ambiguity and constant movement.

The idea of dualism of everything in nature underlies many movements in Eastern philosophy. However, in Chinese tradition It is the metaphysical meaning of the symbol, the dualism of the original nature of the world and reality that is considered, while Japanese philosophical schools dwell on the physical aspect of the sign: fire and water, man and woman.

The meaning of the symbol in the tattoo

The meaning of a yin yang tattoo is naturally associated with the symbolism that is embedded in this sign by followers of Eastern philosophical movements:

Harmony. The main designation of a yin yang tattoo is the harmonious interaction of opposites, thanks to which the origin and development of life in a broad sense is possible. Such a tattoo indicates a person who is following the path of achieving harmony with his inner and surrounding worlds, who has come to terms with all the contradictory aspects of his essence and existence as a whole. It can speak of a deep understanding of the concept of the universe.
Unity. Everything that exists in the Universe has a certain meaning. Even the elements that oppose each other and are in eternal struggle are in their places, their confrontation has its own deep meaning, without which the world we know is impossible. The sky is one with the earth, day with night, light with darkness, without one the other simply cannot exist. So it is with a person: every trait of his character, every impulse plays an important role in the formation of a single and unique whole. A yin yang tattoo means in this context the cessation of the struggle with oneself, the awareness of this unity or the desire for awareness.
Infinity and cyclicity. An unbroken circle, which contains two opposing forces, suggests that life in the Universe is endless. Stars, planets, plants, animals, people - these are its parts set in motion by energy that does not come from nowhere and does not go to nowhere, it only transforms, completing the old and starting a new life cycle.
True love. Paired yin yang tattoos speak of deep and sincere feelings between two people. This is not just a sudden passion or a short-term hobby. Such a tattoo indicates a connection cemented by mutual understanding, respect and deep emotional attachment.

Composition solutions

Yin Yang tattoos are suitable for men just as they are for women, because the symbol indicates unity and unbreakable connection two started. The symbol itself looks quite simple; one might even say that its classic image has practically no artistic value. However, the art of tattoo knows no boundaries, so it is worth considering different variants stylization of the sign without losing its original meaning.

Small watercolor tattoos with a yin yang symbol on the wrist or ankle, depicting fire and water, are quite simple, do not require much space, but look very impressive. Violent tongues of red flame and blue streaks of water fully reflect the philosophical concept of the sign. Small black and white yin yang tattoos can also look original if, for example, decorate the image with floral ornaments.

Larger yin yang work on the shoulder, for example, may consist of many small elements. The drawings depict a pair of animals whose bodies form a regular circle look interesting: black and white cats, owls, fish. If you are planning a large-scale tattoo, for example, on your back, the yin yang can depict the change of seasons if you divide the design into a winter half with snow-covered spruce trees and frozen ponds and a summer half with green grass and bright sun. One more interesting option- change of time of day. This could be a large yin yang tattoo on the arm, in which the sign itself acts as the center of the composition, dividing the sleeve into two parts: a light one with clouds and birds soaring in them, and a dark one - the starry sky.

Tattoos in the oriental style with yin yang on the legs, arms or back look cool. Usually the sign itself acts only as one of the elements of the composition; its center can be a dragon, tiger, carp, a portrait of a brave samurai or a beautiful geisha against the backdrop of dark waves and other scenery:, or.

The location of the tattoo can be chosen according to the teachings about the psychoenergetic centers of the human body, which is reflected in Buddhism, Hinduism and some types of alternative medicine. Thus, the image of yin yang on the neck, at the location of the Vishuddha chakra, which is responsible for expressing a person’s will through speech, can indicate harmony between thought and word, truthfulness, agreement between internal motives and the outside world. A tattoo with a yin yang symbol on the chest can promote emotional liberation, since the Anahata chakra, which is responsible for our feelings, is located in the center of the chest. It is also called the love chakra or the heart chakra.

It's no secret that tattoos can really influence our lives. It happens that sincere faith in the power of a symbol helps to overcome obstacles in life. life path and gain self-confidence.

Photos and sketches of yin yang tattoos

Yin and yang are the harmony of the dark and light sides of existence. This symbol represents the unity and interaction of opposites. The “yin and yang” sign displays the connection between day and night, sky and earth. If desired, you can find any number of other similar analogies.

Yin and yang are a sign that suggests that the interaction of opposites is the key driving force of our world. The variability and impermanence of our existence can be explained through this symbol. It is not for nothing that yin and yang are a key category in ancient Chinese philosophy.

Interestingly, the Chinese and Japanese culture understand the symbol differently. The heirs of the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun see in this symbol the interaction of the dark earthly feminine and the light heavenly masculine principles. Yin is the personification of a state of rest, and yang is a symbol of movement. The Japanese also often cite such oppositions as birth and nurturing, energy and matter, expansion and ordering.

About philosophy

The concept of “yin and yang” is a universal model that clarifies the essence of our world. Among the main ideas hidden in this ancient sign, the following should be mentioned:

Nothing in the world is at rest forever. Everything is always changing. Everything has a beginning and an end.
Opposites complement each other. They cannot exist without each other.
Opposites interact and give meaning to each other.
The purpose of human existence is the harmonization of opposites. The main task of a person is to achieve internal and external balance.

About the five elements

Chinese philosophy says that from the struggle of opposites, five basic elements are born: earth, water, fire, metal and wood. Moreover, all five elements, according to the Chinese, continuously interact with each other, maintaining harmony in the world. The interesting thing is that each of the five elements overcomes its corresponding element. For example, water can extinguish fire, fire can melt metal, which in turn destroys wood, and the tree is powered by the earth, which in turn fills up with water. This is the interesting meaning that the eastern symbol “yin and yang” carries.

Celebrities

We found stars who got yin and yang tattoos. This was not difficult since this sign is in demand in the tattoo world. Among the stars we found, I would like to specifically mention the owners of the most striking oriental body designs, such as:

Marcia Bisognin;
Amira McCartney;
Nikki Williams.

The “Yin-Yang” symbol, popular today and often used in tattoos, begins its history with ancient Chinese mythology. The essence of this symbol lies in the unification of two opposites; it was the most famous symbol of balance and struggle. Yin and yang are always opposing forces:

YIN- a symbol of the feminine principle, death, earth, moon and even numbers, darkness, etc.

YANG- a symbol of masculinity, life, sky, sun and odd numbers, light, etc.

A single and indivisible yin-yang is a symbol of world unity, which helps resolve all contradictions and problems, it strengthens a person’s vitality and gives inner balance in difficult situations.

It should be noted that these opposites are depicted in a circle, which has become a symbol of infinity, which suggests that their opposition is eternal. The ancient Guenon considers yin-yang as an image of a universal vortex, which swirled and united the opposites that gave rise to its eternal movement.

In the art of Feng Shui, the yin-yang symbol denotes the unification and struggle of two main absolutely opposite types of energy. But, despite their opposition, these energies generate each other and cannot exist separately. And this constant interaction of opposites is the origin of everything that exists on earth, it gives birth to and shapes life. And the essence of this interaction is absolute harmony. If one of the forces predominates or increases and the other decreases, or vice versa, then everything collapses.

Yin-yang is a statement of a certain order of things in nature. It means the duality of all things, symbolizes the balance of nature and balance at the level of things. This balance is to ensure that events and signs of life complement each other, making up an overall normal state: growth and decline, sadness and joy, gains and losses.

The meaning of a yin-yang tattoo can mean a person’s ability or desire to live and feel happy, regardless of whether he has a black or white streak in his life; this tattoo is some symbol of peace of mind and harmony in oneself.

In addition to opposites, this symbol also contains a certain mystical center in which there is nothing, no movement, no anxiety, no struggle, no suffering.

As you can see, the meaning of the yin-yang tattoo is quite definite and yet interesting. This is one of the brightest, most beautiful, mysterious and universal symbols that Eastern culture has given us. Everyone can perceive it in their own way and endow this symbol with its own meaning and its own understandable meaning.

In East Asia dragon is yin, which embodies the feminine principle and is associated with the moon, earth, death, darkness and north. Tiger is Yang, the embodiment of masculinity and the meaning of the sun, sky, life, light and south. Over time, the Chinese people began to view the Yin-Yang symbol as the result of interaction, unity, and not confrontation.

Meaning of tattoo

The meaning of a dragon and tiger tattoo carries a very large semantic load, since this symbol is a philosophical concept, and this is a rather extensive science. The dragon means gentleness, sympathy, happiness, well-being. The tiger is firmness, aggressiveness, strength and steadfastness. This perfect combination qualities of these two majestic creatures.

People inflict dragon and tiger tattoos on themselves in 2 cases:

To show your inner harmony of body and unity of soul;
To make it clear to everyone that there are 2 entities that are constantly at odds with each other.

The Yin-Yang tattoo with a dragon and a tiger looks mesmerizing due to its rich range of colors and scale of execution. Tattoos are often applied to the back or chest. This symbol carries vital energy, which generates perpetual motion. Basically, these two forces are united, harmonious and do not pose any threat to destruction and struggle.

Dragon and tiger tattoo– this is not an easy beautiful tattoo, it is a symbol of peace of mind, peace and harmony.