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Today I have a very special guide for you, this time, about dragonfly tattoo, one of the most beautiful animals to get inked with, moreover, with a very strong meaning.
On this guide, I’m going to tell you about:
- First, the dragonfly tattoo meaning all across the US and Europe.
- Then, dragonfly tattoo meanings in other parts of the world, from Navajo to Japan.
- And, of course, a lot of dragonfly tattoo designs to get inspired.
So, let’s move on, because this guide seems like a piece of work!
Table of Contents
What Is the Meaning for a Dragonfly Tattoo?
There are a lot of meanings for a dragonfly tattoo, but I want to show you “only” the Top 5 meanings, to keep it simple, you know:
Realistic Dragonfly Tattoo
This is the first dragonfly tattoo I want you to see.
And, as you can see, this is a realistic illustration tattoo, all in black ink, perfectly done with a fantastic detail level.
I do like the wings details and eyes details, and all the fineline work, it is just perfect.
The tattoo is done by Ash VM Shepherd, a terrific woman tattoo artist working at Mr Ink Tatouage Lounge. She is based in the Sunshine Coast, in Australia, and she is focused on microrealism and fineline.
And yes, you should follow her.
A Dragonfly Tattoo Is for Transformation
Maybe the top meaning in the US and in Europe for a dragonfly tattoo is about transformation, and, moreover, personal growth.
You know these two things are very related.
And this is because dragonflies suffer a really hard transformation from water nymphs to the adult dragonfly.
Because of this, a dragonfly tattoo is about evolution and personal growth.
A Dragonfly Tattoo Is To Live in the Present
Maybe you don’t know about it, but a standard dragonfly life is a big deal.
First, when it is a water nymphs can be in the “child state” from 6 to 12 months, but then, when a dragonfly metamorph into the adult shape, usually they have only 2 weeks before they die.
And, because of this, a very strong meaning about dragonfly tattoo is to live the moment, because this moment is not going to be there anymore.
Dragonfly Color Illustration Tattoo
And look at this marvelous piece of work!
This time, the dragonfly is with a golden touch of colors and a fantastic blackout work, perfect lines and, moreover, some micro realism stuff.
And yes, this is perfect.
The tattoo is done by Edit Ben Gida, a terrific woman tattoo artist with a very special way for tattooing. Once you watch one of her works, she is 100% recognizable forever.
A Dragonfly Tattoo Is for Freedom too!
Dragonflies are a fantastic animal and, among all their features, there is one of them truly terrific:
They can fly in all directions, like a helicopter. They can even fly backward!
Because of this, one of the dragonfly tattoo meanings is about freedom and, moreover, about self-realization.
A Dragonfly Tattoo Is About Power
Dragonflies seem to be fragile creatures, because they have a delicate appearance, but are not that way.
You know, dragonflies are hunters, so they are agile and powerful creatures, an, despite being insects, they are powerful.
So, if you need a powerful tattoo, maybe a dragonfly is a good choice for you.
A Dragonfly Tattoo Is for Spiritual Connection
For some people, dragonflies are messengers between the physical and spiritual world and, because of this, a dragonfly tattoo can represent some spiritual connection between you and your other worlds.
Maybe it is not the most popular meaning for a dragonfly tattoo, but, you know, it is in a second tier for this very popular tattooed animal.
Dragonfly Tattoo Meaning In other Cultures, from Japan to Navajo
But dragonflies are present in a lot of different cultures all around the world, in all the continents.
Because of this, let me show you more about dragonflies meaning all around the world:
Simple Dragonflies Tattoo
When you can do a simple tattoo to be eye-catching, you are a fantastic tattoo artist, and this is the perfect example for this thought.
As you can see, this is a very simple tattoo about three dragonflies, in red and black ink, in the shoulder, and that’s all.
But, the perfect linework, the color palette and the fineline gives the design something unique.
This tattoo is done by Sophie, another very talented woman tattoo artist based in Australia you may follow.
Dragonfly in Japan Is Important, But Not Like You Have Read
There are a lot of different websites and blogs telling people that dragonflies are the national symbol of Japan, and this is completely false.
In fact, the national symbol of Japan is chrysanthemum.
It’s true Japan has a very strong relationship with dragonflies, in fact, in a lot of historical documents Japan is called “The Dragonfly Land” (Akitsushima, in Japanese) but, I repeat, dragonfly is not Japan’s national symbol.
Some meanings of a dragonfly tattoo in Japan are: victory, strength (in fact, dragonflies in Japan are called kachimushi, “victory insects”), good fortune, and they are a symbol for the autumn or even for Samurai culture, because they use to use dragonfly motifs on their armors and weapons.
Moreover, there is a very famous Japanese song for children called “Aka Tombo”, translated as Red Dragonfly, so a dragonfly tattoo brings to almost every childhood memory.
Dragonfly in Chinese Culture
In China, dragonflies’ meanings are quite similar to those in Japan.
Among all the meanings for a dragonfly tattoo in Chinese culture there are:
- Prosperity.
- Harmony.
- Good luck.
- And they are related to summer.
So, they are a very positive symbol, and it’s perfect.
When you get tattooed with a dragonfly with some lotus flowers, it represents purity from the muddy waters.
Nice, isn’t it?
Geometric Dragonfly Tattoo
Not Chinese, not even Japanese but a South Korean tattoo artist is the one for this.
As you can see, a very, very simple dragonfly tattoo with some geometric elements.
I love the black linework for the dragonfly and, moreover, the perfection for the line, the circle, square and dots for the geometric part, very hard to do.
This simple tattoo with a perfect finish is done by Hwan, a remarkable South Korean tattoo artist working at 369 Ink Studio, with real masterpieces in illustration, fineline and realism on his portfolio.
Dragonfly Meaning for Navajo Culture Is About Being Pure
Let’s move on into the other part of the world because, in Navajo culture, there is a good space for dragonflies too.
In fact, for Navajo people, a dragonfly is about renewal and purification, because they think a dragonfly is a pure water creature (and I think they are right).
And, speaking about water, in Vietnam people think when a dragonfly is flying low, rain is coming.
Dragonfly Meaning in Celtic and Lithuanian Tradition
In Europe, I want to highlight the connection between Celtic and Lithuanian tradition to dragonflies.
For Celtic culture, a dragonfly is connected to the fairy realms, and Celtic people thought dragonflies were the guardians between this world and the fairies one.
In Lithuania, a dragonfly is the soul of a person who died tragically, or suddenly, so take care of dragonflies in Lithuania, please.
Dragonflies As Spirit World
But there are more cultures which think dragonflies are associated with the spirit world.
For example, in Africa, and especially among Zulu people, dragonflies are associated with ancestors.
And, for Polynesian people, a dragonfly is a spiritual guide and a protector.
And Now, Some More Dragonfly Tattoos for You
Let me show you some more dragonflies tattoos for you, because all of them are fantastic:
Dragonfly Illustration Tattoo
This one is another perfect example of a dragonfly illustration tattoo.
Yes, another simple tattoo about a dragonfly in a bird’s eye view, but completely different.
This time, I do like the fineline work in all the design, and the shadowing effect, for a very delicate finish.
This tattoo is done by Linda Jacob, a brilliant woman tattoo artist working at Hood Seven, in Hamburg, Germany, very focused on fineline and wonderful illustration tattoos.
Green Color Dragonfly Tattoo
And, this time, another realistic dragonfly tattoo with realism and illustration mix, but this time in green color and much more like a painting one, isn’t it?
I do like tons of designs with white ink in the wings and body of the dragonfly.
This tattoo is done by Seulki Park, an impressive woman tattoo artist working at VISM Studio, in Los Angeles, California, and she is a master in colorful realism, I mean it.
Blue Color Dragonfly with Flowers Tattoo
This is what happens when you mix a very beautiful dragonfly tattoo with some flowers, mixing the animal and botanical concept.
Terrific, isn’t it?
As you can see, the blue dragonfly stands out from some flowers, and I do like not only this fantastic blue color, but the flower shadowing effect too, and this illustration style.
This very nice job is done by Danyell Ismailov, a stunning woman tattoo artist working at Silver Wing Tattoo, in Hammonton, New Jersey. She is focused on illustration tattoos and you should follow her.
Ocean Dragonfly Tattoo
Look at this fantastic piece of work!
This is a dragonfly tattoo inspired by the ocean, with a lot of blue ink and golden details in the body and wings, and something like a dragonfly core robot inside.
This fantastic work is done by Pilar Zurita, based in Atelier Eva, New York City. Pilar is focused on her own and remarkable illustration and colorful tattoo style I do love, and yes, she is another tattoo artist you should follow. Of course.
Some FAQs for Dragonfly Tattoo Meaning
What is the symbolic meaning of a dragonfly?
There are some meanings for a dragonfly tattoo, maybe the main one is about transformation and living in the present, but is good luck in other cultures
What does the dragonfly tattoo mean LGBT?
Dragonfly has a strong transformation meaning, so it is a very strong symbol for transgender people.
Where should I put a dragonfly tattoo?
There is no bad placement for a dragonfly tattoo, but maybe they are mostly inked in arms, legs or chest. But, depending on the design, it can fit perfectly in all placements.
