Sleeve Tattoo Designs - Dragon, Tribal, Celtic, and Japanese Tattoos on Your Arms

Sleeve tattoos have become extremely popular in the past few years because they are an amazing way to tell a story or create a living work or art and expression. With different pictures working together, a person can evoke many feelings at once.

Dragon Tattoos

Dragons are a symbol of wild fire and excitement. A dragon interwoven into a sleeve tattoo can add red color and flare. Fire breathing from the dragon, circling the arm can really add an amazing effect to any tattoo.

Tribal Tattoos

These symbols with many meanings can be placed at the shoulder and chest area to create a design worthy of the style. You can create a picture just with this type of tattoo in plain black ink. If you use color on your arm and keep the tribal tattoo black you can create amazing contrast.

Celtic Tattoos

Adding Celtic Symbols to a sleeve tattoo adds a splash of culture to any piece of work. Their are a variety of different symbols you can use to convey the meaning you want.

Japanese Tattoos

Japanese symbols are a beautiful way to say many things at once. A single symbol can convey the meaning of peace on earth or love for all. This is a good way to keep things simple for the eye but leave the mind thinking about what it saw.

Creating this type of work of art takes time and effort. Many people build a sleeve tattoo over many years adding extra designs and symbols as they think of them.

for this reason, you need to make sure everything is exactly as you picture it in your mind. A single design done in a way you do not like can ruin the entire thing and leave you in regret.

Koi Dragon Tattoo

Koi Dragon Tattoo

This amazing side tattoo combines the traditional Japanese koi with a dragon. The combination of colors and amount of detail in the linework is amazing.

Fire and Water Dragon Tattoo

Fire and Water Dragon Tattoo

The colored fire and water stand out against the black and gray dragon and stars. The overall piece seem to have a message about balance.

Koi tattoo design | Mexican Tattoo Design

Koi tattoo design | Mexican Tattoo Design

Probably surprising to many westerners is the large of amount of ancient myth that surrounds these beautiful fish in the Orient and their elevated status there. Generally known here as the brightly colored fish that are common in public ponds and fountains, carp (koi is Japanese for carp) can be found in colors that include white, yellow, gold, a deep orange, and some are even calico-colored. Particularly beautiful specimens have been known to fetch prices in excess of half-a-million dollars from private collectors who specialize in their breeding and showing. However, the koi is more than just a colorful and collectible fish. It is also one of the most popular and beautiful of Japanese tattoo symbols – a beauty which belies its symbolic meaning. Although Chinese in origin, the carp is now widely celebrated in Japan, particularly for its manly qualities. It is said to climb waterfalls bravely, and, if caught, it lies upon the cutting board awaiting the knife without a quiver, not unlike a samurai (warrior) facing a sword. This theme dates back to ancient China, where a legend tells of how any koi that succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate (on the Yellow River) would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. Eventually, the stoic fish came to be associated with so many masculine and positive qualities that it was appropriated for the annual Boys' Day Festival in Japan where even today colorful, streaming koi flags are traditionally displayed for each son in the family. In tattoo imagery, especially in combination with flowing water, it symbolizes much the same: courage, the ability to attain high goals, and overcoming life's difficulties.

Peacock Tattoo Designs | Mexican Tattoo Design

Peacock Tattoo Designs | Mexican Tattoo Design

There are many different versions of a peacock tattoo that can be found on bodies all over. A peacock tattoo can symbolize something different to each person, but the underlying message is always the same one of pride and beauty.

Peacocks are a beautiful and captivating bird. Their feathers have long been cherished and admired for the beautiful and striking colors. When peacocks shed their feathers they grow back even brighter and more beautiful, thus sustaining the power of the peacock image. This is part of the reason people are drawn to a peacock tattoo.

People want a peacock tattoo because they look good. The flurry of bright and brilliant color is attention getting. Peacocks have come to hold meaning as a symbol of accepting one’s own beauty. They are also a sign of authority and a regal manner. People who get a peacock tattoo are likely self-assured and proud. The peacock also holds religious meaning. It is an early Christian symbol for the resurrection of Christ.

There are variations of a peacock tattoo. There can be many different colors used and the tattoo can be of a whole peacock or just a peacock feather. Sometimes people use peacock feathers to adorn other tattoos, as well. The male peacock is the image used since females do not have the showy, bright colored feathers. Peacock tattoos can be put just about anywhere on the body, too. They are a great versatile image that lends itself to be able to be adjusted to fit the desires of the person.

Peacock tattoos are a common request. The proud and beautiful peacock is something to be admired, to be cherished. People who want a tattoo that expresses their love of life and show the world that they are proud and happy to be themselves may choose to get a peacock tattoo.