Origins of Chinese Traditional Tattoos

Traditional Chinese Tattoos Name; Ji Fa HuanTraditional Tattoos--Dragon TattoosIn ancient Chinese tattoos and decorations, the dragon has a very important position. It has inherited the philosophical thinking and national consciousness of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. The dragon pattern is not a general decoration, but a product with special spiritual connotation. The dragon is the symbol of the Chinese nation, is an ideal type of animal, the ancients believe that it is the highest auspicious, so it is known as one of the worship of the hundred gods. The image of the dragon has a very early origin, as early as in the slave society dragon pattern will be used for decoration. With the respective passage of time and the development of history, the content of the dragon pattern has been enriched, and various different forms of dragon pattern appeared. China's dynasties have dragon tattoos, and their shape and demeanor are different, all have their own era of breath. The simple, simple and childish prehistoric style of dragon motifs appeared as a kind of auspicious decorative significance in the ancient times alternating with the Neolithic Age. The dragon images of this period are relatively primitive and childish. It mainly appeared on the modeling and decorative patterns of bronzes and jades at that time. Its appearance is characterized by simplicity and abstraction. Neolithic period to the dragon as a form of expression of the shape of the complex up, decorative arrangement of top view, side view double effect, to create the usual two sides of the continuous, top view suitable for the pattern of the pattern, the shape of the image of vivid, smooth lines. The late Yin Shang period is the heyday of dragon pattern decoration at this time. The color of the dragon pattern deepens, and the dragon's body becomes complex. The "retrospective" dragon pattern was widely spread at this time. Double-headed dragons also appeared at this time. Relaxed and romantic style of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period dragon pattern as the decorative pattern of the occasional artifacts lost the former shape of the harsh characteristics of the solemn type of artifacts with a sense of dynamics and rhythm. This period of the dragon pattern abstract and concrete gradually differentiated. Dragon theme is clear, smooth lines, dragon pattern from the decorative art for the service of God into a work of art for the service of man. The auspicious symbolism of the dragon was strengthened and its use increased. This is the dragon pattern into the limbs and claws of the beast form, the image is more realistic, laid the foundation of the later generations of dragon form. In the artifacts mostly for the scroll dragon pattern, depicting the body of the dragon curled like a snake, the image is rich in tension. Warring States Dragon Jade East King riding the dragon flying to the sky figure magnificent Qin and Han period dragon pattern Qin and Han period, decorative painting flourished, deep and strong, majestic. The connotation and realization of the dragon underwent significant changes, and the primitive nature of the dragon totem began to disappear. Transition in the Han Dynasty when the dragon became the exclusive theme of the Son of Heaven. This time the dragon pattern more appear in the portrait stone, portrait brick, tomb mural and the Han dynasty tiles. The dragon motifs were mostly flying and vivid, and the dragon became part of the world of the immortals. Dragons were used in the theme of "drawing souls to heaven". Han dynasty wadang topography pattern Han dynasty brick portrait graceful and luxurious Tang dynasty dragon pattern Tang and Song dynasties is the maturity of the dragon pattern, the dragon pattern is full of realistic life breath and excited about the life of the spirit. The shape of the dragon is more rich and robust, vibrant. The dragon pattern became more and more a symbol of the royal power of the ruling class, thus bringing the air of wealth and eminence. At this time the dragon pattern is mostly seen on the bronze mirror. Tang Dynasty open-minded, continuous cultural exchanges, the elephant trunk dragon pattern is particularly popular. The combination of dragon pattern and cloud pattern became a major feature at this time. Tang dynasty double dragon cloud bronze mirror Tang dynasty single dragon cloud bronze mirror elegant and elegant Song dynasty dragon pattern dragon image has become a symbol of domination, the emperor with five-clawed dragon, Prince with four-clawed dragon. Dragon pattern appears in large quantities on the imperial porcelain. The most obvious sign of imperial porcelain is printed with dragon pattern. Cloud dragon pattern back a lot of use in the plate, bowl artifacts on top of the typical things in this period of seawater dragon pattern, the combination of seawater and dragon pattern, realizing the dragon swimming in the seawater. The dragon pattern of the Ming and Qing dynasties is complicated and dense, and the dragon pattern of this period has a mature and perfect mood. The dragon body is coiled with many postures, the body is rich, and the tail is more than one leg together, usually with three claws. Dragon pattern as a symbol of the ruling power of the emperor, with a full of rich and illustrious atmosphere. This period of the dragon pattern for the group dragon pattern, wear flower dragon, cloud dragon pattern, water dragon pattern grass dragon text. Qing dynasty dragon pattern jifu ming embroidered gold dragon flower pattern robe python pattern python originally refers to a large snake, "er ya" note said: "python, the largest of the snake, so it is said that the king snake." Python is second only to the dragon senior pattern, the overall shape and the dragon is almost the same, the difference between the two in the claw (toe), python only four claws. "Wanli wild acquisition" said: "python clothes for the service of the elephant dragon, and the supreme emperor by the imperial robe similar, but minus a claw ear." Python robe of the highest grade for the "five claws python", according to "Wanli wild access to the compilation of" the statement, human ministers have been given to sit python pattern for the highest level, and "gun dragon" word can only be used to refer to the emperor's dragon robe (i.e., gun dragon robe). If the reward of foreign kings or tribal leaders (barbarians) or princes of the clothes and robes in the five-clawed dragon pattern, it is only called "python dragon", not "gun dragon", to call the difference between the different shows that inferiority and superiority are different. Ming dynasty python pattern flying fish pattern flying fish evolved from the ancient Indian myth of Capricorn, its head like a dragon, two feet, four claws, with two wings, fish tail, a pair of ventral fins, late Ming Dynasty python flying fish, styling and python, the same, four feet, four claws, no wings, only the tail to retain the characteristics of the fish tail. Flying fish clothes for civil officials, second only to the python clothes. Ming dynasty flying fish filler bullfighting bullfighting bulls originally refers to the twenty-eight hosts in the hosts and the cattle hosts, and later also become like the dragon's beasts (zhou qi "nominal examination": "bullfighting bulls such as dragons and taut horns.") In the Ming Dynasty, the bull was in the shape of a python, with four claws, a fish tail, and two horns on its head bent downwards like the horns of a bull. Compared with the python suit, flying fish suit, bullfighting suit is a little lower grade. Ming dynasty bullfighting unicorn pattern is generally deer-shaped, one-horned, scaly armor all over the body, tail like a cow. Changes with the times, earlier like a deer body, after the body like a horse, the body of the beast is close to the dragon. Ming and Qing dynasties, the unicorn as a decorative pattern of more, some of the head, tail gradient into a dragon-shaped hooves also become claw-shaped. The unicorn symbolizes good luck and success in business. Qing color embroidery of the first grade of military officials to complement the traditional pattern - eight treasures flower eight treasures flower started in the Ming Dynasty. Ming Dynasty, there is a "eight treasures flower" brocade, it is based on the characteristics of the Baoxiang flower pattern, with the lotus as the main body, respectively, inlaid on the flower of Buddhism's "eight treasures" pattern - treasure pots, treasure umbrellas, lotus flower The Eight Treasures of Buddhism - treasure pot, treasure umbrella, lotus flower, double fish, conch, sky cover, wheel and eight auspicious, also known as the "eight auspicious". Because of the eight treasures and flowers. Therefore, it is called "Eight Treasures and Flowers". Allegory auspicious auspicious pattern refers to the implicit, harmonic and other twists and turns, composed of decorative patterns with a certain auspicious symbolism. Its beginning can be traced back to the Shang and Zhou, auspicious patterns began in the Shang and Zhou, developed in the Tang and Song dynasties, flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, almost to the point that the figure must be intentional, meaning must be auspicious. They want to express only four meanings: "rich, noble, life, happiness": noble is a symbol of power, fame; rich is the property of the rich, including a good harvest; life can be safe, with the meaning of prolonged life; happy, with marriage, friendship, many children and grandchildren are related. Auspicious patterns, as an important part of traditional Chinese culture, have become one of the symbols of cognitive national spirit and national interest. Ming and qing dynasty silk auspicious pattern of the subject matter is very wide,. Flowers, plants, trees and stones, hummingbirds, insects and fish, birds and animals, all into the picture. Seemingly ordinary, which is not lacking in true interest and deep feelings. There are generally three composition methods: one is represented by patterns, the second is represented by harmonies, and the third is illustrated by text. Traditional auspicious patterns immediately peace **** enjoy the jade interest