The Dragon, the almighty supernatural creature whose body in Eastern lore is born of the stormy waters. He or “it” may be seen in crashing waves or swirling clouds, wearing flames of fire on his legs or in harmony with dangerous flashes of lightning, he is a creature to behold. Almost always wearing a fierce expression, it’s hard not to be taken aback, catching your breath while beholding it’s majesty and aggressive demeanor. All of this make the dragon one of the most impressive tattoos, and make it a natural protection element. If you have the room, put him on your back. If you are slightly obsessed like I am, get more than one tattoo of a dragon.

The Rising Dragon, the eponymous dragon of my studio. This creature is somewhat like the Koi, seeking perfection, he blazes in energy in passion, with the pearl of enlightenment and wisdom always slightly out of reach. For me he symbolizes the never ending quest to achieve goals. He can never rest because there is so much to learn. In this lifetime, very few of us can reach enlightenment like the Buddha, but we can try.

The Koi: most definitely not just a kind of fish! The koi is a strong scaled being who is resilient to harsh weather, life’s challenges, the steps to reaching an ambitious destination. In real life kois in ponds across the word survive freezing temperatures during the winter months, at the bottom of the water in a hibernation state. In legends, they leap like salmon through sharp rocks and roiling waters to reach their destination: the dragon gate. The gate is a Torii temple arch, after they pass through it, transforms them into a dragon.

The Cherry Blossom “Sakura” is the smallest prettiest flower for it’s size, and used to celebrate Spring. Like all flowers though, it has a short life span, so it can be used to remind us that life is beautiful but fleeting.