Chinese tattoo
Chinese tattooing draws on traditional Chinese painting and mythology. Typical motifs are dragons, phoenixes, tigers, carp, lotus flowers and Chinese characters, often with clouds and waves. It can be in colour or black and grey and, depending on size, tell a single symbol or a whole scene.
Our work: Chinese tattoos
What does a Chinese tattoo look like?
Large compositions rely on the flowing curves of dragons and waves that wrap around the body, smaller ones stick to a single symbol. Colour versions use mainly red, gold and black, black and grey ones imitate ink and brush. A related style is the Japanese tattoo, which shares many of its motifs.
What to watch out for with Chinese characters?
A character can have several meanings and its form depends on the script and stroke order. Before you get it tattooed, have the translation checked by a native speaker or bring the exact written form. The artist will then make sure the character is written correctly and stays readable.
Where on the body does a Chinese tattoo work best?
Dragons and scenes need a large area: the back, a sleeve, thigh or side. A single character or lotus fits on the forearm, wrist, shoulder blade or the back of the neck. Flowing curves stand out where they can follow the muscles.
How much does a Chinese tattoo cost?
The price depends on size, amount of colour and the time the piece takes. You will find guide prices by size on our tattoo prices page. The artist will give you an exact price once you send your idea, placement and size through the form below.
